Deciding to assess

The SEN Assessment panel is made up of a representative from SEN Strategic Services, a school SENCO, a head teacher, a Parent Partnership worker and other representatives from the Children and Young People’s Services, such as a social worker. There is also a member from health. It is chaired by a person who is independent from the LA.

They are trained to look at the information about your child alongside what the Code of Practice says about when an assessment should take place. All the information they receive is in written form. The information they see about your child is confidential to the panel.

Based on the information that it receives, the panel gives the LA its views about whether or not your child should be formally assessed. The LA officer can then use the panel’s views to help them make a decision.

Once the LA has made a decision about assessment, it will write to you.

If the LA decides that an assessment is not necessary, the letter will give reasons for this decision. If you wish to find out more about the decision not to assess you can request a meeting with the LA officer known as the Assistant Special Educational Needs Officer(ASENO) assigned to your child’s case. Their name and contact details will be on the letter you receive.

If following this process you disagree with the decision by the LA not to carry out a formal assessment, you have a right of appeal to the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunal (SENDIST).