Statutory Assessments
Very few children will need a statutory assessment. Most special educational needs (SEN) can be met through support in school at School Action and School Action Plus (see Supporting SEN). There will be a small number of pupils whose needs are significant and exceptional. In Warrington this is less than 2% of all children.
If you or your child’s school/nursery think that your child’s needs are at this level, a request for statutory assessment can be made to the Statutory Assessment Advisory Group (STAG). Usually this request is made by the school/nursery but parents can also make a request by writing to the Strategic Director of Children’s Services. You will then be sent information about what to do next.
A statutory assessment is a detailed investigation to find out exactly what your child’s special educational needs are so that provision can be made to meet his/her needs.
To make the assessment, the local authority asks a number of professionals to give their views about your child. Advice is requested from your child’s school/nursery, an educational psychologist, a doctor, social care and anyone else the local authority thinks might have important information. You are also asked for advice - as you know your child the best, parental advice is very important. You will also be given the name of a case worker from the Pupil Assessment and Support Team (known as PAST) who will be your contact for information and advice.
Once all the advice and comments have been collected, PAST will look at whether the SEN criteria, agreed with schools, has been met. If it has, a statement of SEN for your child will be written. If your child’s needs do not meet the agreed criteria, PAST may write a Note in Lieu of a statement.
Related pages:
- Statutory Assessment Advisory Group (STAG)
- Supporting SEN
- Support in Schools for SEN
- Statementing for SEN
- Special Educational Needs
- Pupil Assessment and Support Team (PAST)
Leaflets and publications:
- SEN Guide for Parents
- SEN Code of Practice
- Removing Barriers to Achievement for SEN
- Parent Partnership leaflets
Information for practitioners:
- Implementation Review Unit statement on SEN and disability – minimising bureaucracy
- TeacherNet - SEN Toolkit
- Inclusive Schooling – Children with Special Educational Needs
- Every Child Matters
- TeacherNet – SEN and Disability
- TeacherNet – whole school issues
Contact us:
Pupil Assessment Support Team
School Improvement and Inclusion
3rd Floor, New Town House
Buttermarket Street
Warrington, WA1 2NJ
Tel: 01925 442935
Email: esvpast@warrington.gov.uk
