Special Educational Needs Assessment Service
A Summary of Services
About the Service
Introduction
The Special Educational Needs Assessment Service Unit is charged with a number of statutory duties on behalf of the Local Authority. These are:
- Identification of children and young people requiring statutory assessment under the 1996 Education Act.
- Identifying statemented pupils’ eligibility for home to school transport.
- Providing "Named Officer" for parents.
- Oversee ICT assessments and other specialist equipment purchases.
In addition the Service Unit has a number of other significant roles:
- Contributing to and implementing the Local Authority’s SEN Strategic Development Plan.
- The management of central budgets relating to SEN.
- Representing the Local Authority at complex Annual Reviews.
- Provision of training for schools, governors, Independent Parental Supporters and other agency staff.
- Consultancy work with schools and groups of schools (charged for on an agreed basis).
- Providing specific advice on matters relating to Part IV of the 1996 Education Act, the SEN Code of Practice and other related legislation.
Service Standards
The Special Educational Needs Assessment Service aims to:
- Be clear and unambiguous in communicating decisions
- Prepare accurate and usable Statements
- Provide a high standard of customer care
- Where feasible respond to Annual Reviews within 8 weeks of receipt
- Respond to telephone enquiries within 48 hours of receipt
- For children due by age to transfer schools, issue an amended statement advising parents of the transfer school by February 15
- Work with schools, parents and other agencies in line with the SEN Code of Practice
- Ensure our staff are appropriately trained
- Provide an induction session for new SENCO’s
What can schools do to help
- Implement Statements and review them as required by the Code of Practice
- Involve parents and other agencies as appropriate in reviews and Individual Education Plans
- Use allocated resources effectively and appropriately in meeting pupils’ needs.
- Convene transfer reviews by Christmas break.
- When submitting referrals and Annual Reviews include all relevant documentation and information.
SEN Officers and their teams are the main source of professional advice to parents and schools. SEN Officers have significant and varied experience of mainstream and special schools. They are trained in the statutory and legal aspects of Special Educational Needs; legally trained in tribunal work and as expert witnesses. Each Casework Officer will have about 1100 open cases.
The office is open between 8.30am and 5pm each day (4.30pm on Fridays) and telephone calls will be answered during that period.
The Service subscribes to the Local Authority-Schools protocol on communications.
Whilst Service Staff have email addresses, schools should note that it is current policy not to refer to named children in email communications.
Telephone 0116 3056600
Fax 0116 3056341
Fax 0116 3056341
Page Last Updated: 20 October 2003
