5.1.4 A working knowledge of “statementing” for special needs education

5.1.4 A working knowledge of “statementing” for special needs education

A Working Knowledge of “Statementing” for Special Needs Education

In England and Wales a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or “statementing” will be issued following a formal assessment by the local authority to lay out what special aid the child needs, taking into account the opinions and desires of the child and their parents/caregivers. This is often organised by someone called an SEN Coordinator (SENCO).

The SEN statements are made up of six fundamental sections, which are shown below. 

Typically, the local educational board organised the formal assessments and releases a suggested statement on which parents/caregivers are allowed to comment.

The board is legally bound by the final statement. 

It is feasible to request reassessments in order to modify the statements.

There are six parts to an SEN statement:

Part 1: Introduction – demographics and child’s details plus those who hold parental responsibility.

Part 2: Special Educational Needs (Learning Difficulties) – details on the child’s special educational needs, gathered during assessment.

Part 3: Special Educational Provision:

  1. Objectives – the main educational and developmental goals that you want the provision to achieve.
  2. Educational provision – details of the educational provision considered appropriate for the difficulties described in Part 2.
  3. Monitoring – the arrangements to monitor and review your child’s progress.

Who decides what support is provided for the child? The educational authority decides what education provision will be offered in Part 3 based on the ‘advice’ they receive from those who have contributed to the Statutory Assessment.

Part 4:  Special Educational Provision: Placement – details of school placement.

Part 5: Non-educational needs – important to note this bit is not legally binding.

Part 6: Non-educational provision – the plan in place for the non-educational needs to be met.

(SENAC, 2023).

References:

(1) SENAC, (2023). (n.d.). 3: What is a Statement? – The Special Educational Needs Advice Centre (SENAC). [online] Available at: https://senac.co.uk/advice/what-is-a-statement/.