Coventry Parent Partnership Service

Most children's needs can be met by their mainstream school, sometimes with the help of outside specialists, only a very small percentage of children will require a statutory assessment as set out in the Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. This is a detailed assessment of a child's educational needs, based on specialist advice and is carried out by the local authority (LA).

A statutory assessment may be recommended for your child if they do not make progress, despite getting extra help from the school and other agencies over a period of time. Your child's school or setting would involve you in the process before requesting a statutory assessment.

If following the assessment the LA decides that the child's needs are such that they require special help the LA will write a "statement of special educational needs" - usually called a "statement", this describes all of the child's needs and all of the special help required to meet those needs.

There are a few children who are born with significant or complex special educational needs, which become apparent before they start school. These children would usually be referred for statutory assessment at an early age.

As a parent you can ask the Local Authority SEN Management Service to carry out a statutory assessment if you feel that your child is falling seriously behind other children of the same age, it is always a good idea to talk to your child's school first.