Statements and Reviews
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Statement of Special Educational Needs documents a child’s needs and how those needs are going to be addressed by setting Objectives to which the appropriate provision is attached. It is composed of six parts: · Part 1 logs the child’s personal details · Part 2 is a narrative describing the child and his/her needs · Part 3 documents the appropriate provision to address those needs · Part 4 names the placement in the Final Document (but not in the Draft Proposed) · Part 5 and 6 document all of the non-educational needs of the children. Blackpool Children’s Services Authority prides itself on working closely with parents along with all of the key personnel who make sure the provision, which is documented on a child’s statement, is made.
The first statement to be produced is called the Draft Proposed Statement. If parents feel that this document is inaccurate they have 15 days in which to make their representation to the Local Authority and they are told this in writing.
For children who attend one of the Borough’s mainstream schools a meeting is called which is referred to as the “Statement Launch” meeting. This meeting is held to give parents and all the major contributors a chance to meet, examine the statement and detail, and make further representations for change before the Local Authority issues the Final Statement.
The Statutory Assessment Team is always happy to discuss the contents of statements with parents to make sure the final document is accurate.
In the very rare instances where parents and the Local Authority cannot agree the contents of a statement, parents will be offered an Independent Parent Partnership Officer to contact. This offer will be made in writing as a matter of course. They will also be given in writing the details of SENDIST, which is the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.
You can be assured that your child's needs are being addressed by having regular meetings with their school to make sure the targets on your child's personalised plan (IEP) actually document their needs and are meeting them.
Your child's progress is monitored very closely using the individual education plan (IEP) mechanism, which involves regular meetings in school. Also, the monitoring section of your child's statement documents the fact that an
Annual Review will be called by school which you will be invited to along with all of the relevant contributors. If there are concerns, school may also call interim meetings to resolve any difficulties or worries.
The Annual Review forms part of the statutory procedures and
must take place at least once a year. Normally it falls within 12 months of the date that is shown on the statement. The purpose of the review is to consider the progress that your child has made and to determine whether or not any amendments should be made to the statement about your child's special educational needs and the provision to meet those needs. Advice is sought from various people including parents and this is then discussed in the review meeting. It is important for everyone to agree any changes to the statement and these are then recorded as recommendations of the review. The LA will then consider the recommendations and decide whether or not to amend the statement.
If you are moving to Blackpool and your child already has a Statement of Special Educational Needs from another Local Authority please contact us at the address on the right or you can
email us.
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