Does my child need a statement?

Some children need more help than can be provided at School Action Plus or Early Years Action Plus. This may be obvious before your child starts school or it may only be suggested at some point during their schooling. The law says that local authorities must carry out a statutory assessment if it seems likely that they need to decide the help a child should get. The assessment will involve professionals investigating your child’s difficulties and the help they need for them. In most cases, following the assessment the local authority will write up your child’s needs, their help and generally the school they will attend in a statement of special educational needs.

Parents have a right to ask their local authority to make a statutory assessment. The authority has six weeks to consider this. If your child is in nursery or school, they will speak to the teachers about your child’s learning difficulties. If the local authority refuses to make a statutory assessment, you have the right of appeal. You may also appeal if your child’s school is turned down after they have asked for a statutory assessment for your child.

If you ask for a statutory assessment before your child reaches the age of two, the local authority must go ahead and do this although they can decide how and when it goes about it. If your child is two or over, it has to follow legal rules if it decides to make an assessment. The rules set out whom the local authority must contact for advice about your child and the timetable for carrying out the assessment and drawing up a statement.

"I delayed getting my youngest statemented because it wasn't properly explained to me what was involved and what it would mean. I thought it would be a negative for my son whereas it is a complete positive and the only way to ensure that your childs rights are fully protected." - Parent on the talk about autism forum

More about:

• Asking for a statutory assessment
• Statutory assessment
• Your advice for the assessment
• Timetable for assessment and statements
• What does the statement look like?
• What if I disagree with the statement?
• Choosing a school