A statement of Special Educational Needs is a legal document laying out the details of Special Needs which your child is considered to have.

The statement then goes on to outline the specific help which will be made available to meet your child's Special Needs. This is called Special Educational Provision. A Statement of Special Educational Needs is set out in six parts:

Part 1 - Introduction

• The child's name and address and date of birth.
• The child's home language and religion.
• The names and address(es) of the child's parents.

Part 2 - Special Educational Needs

Details of each and every one of the child's Special Educational Needs as identified by the LEA during Statutory Assessment from the advice received and attached as appendices to the statement.

Part 3 - Special Educational Provision

The Special Educational Provision which the LEA consider necessary to meet the child's Special Educational Needs.

Part 4 - Placement

The type and name of school where the Special Educational Provision specified in part 3 is to be made or the arrangements for the education to be made otherwise than in school

Part 5 - Non-Educational Needs

All relevant non-educational needs of the child as agreed between the Health Services, Social Services or other agencies and the LEA

Part 6 - Non-Educational Provision

Details of relevant non-educational provision which will be made available to meet the non-educational needs of the child as agreed between the Health Services and/or the Social Services and the LEA, including the agreed arrangements for its provision.

If it has been decided to issue a Statement of Special Educational Needs, then you will first be sent a 'Proposed Statement'. All sections will be completed except Part 4 (describing the type and name of the school) which is left blank. Along with the copy of the Proposed Statement, you will receive a letter from the Sheffield Education Service telling how you can give your views on the Proposed Statement before a Final Statement is issued. Details of LEA mainstream and special schools in the area are sent to you at this point, along with details of all non-maintained and independent schools approved by the Secretary of State for Education as suitable for children with Special Educational Needs.

You have a right to express a preference for the LEA maintained school you want you child to go to. This may be the school that your child is already attending.

We will agree with your preference providing:

• The school you choose is suitable for your child's age, ability and Special Educational Needs.
• Your child's attendance there will not effect the efficient education of other children already at the school.
• Placing your child in the school will be an efficient use of resources

You may also make any representations in respect of seeking a place at a non-maintained independent school outside the LEA, although the Authority is not obliged to fund a place in one of these schools. The LEA normally tries to make provision for children in one of its own schools. Deciding which school you would prefer your child to attend is a very important matter and we will be pleased to talk to you and provide you with additional information to assist you with making your decision.

You may wish to visit schools in order to familiarise yourself with the provision made by the Local Education Authority. You have 15 days in which to make any comments and express your preference of school you want for your child. Usually the Local Education Authority will send you the Final Statement within 8 weeks of issuing the Proposed Statement. You will be informed of your right of appeal against the Authority's decision to an independent Special Needs Tribunal if you do not agree with the Final Statement issued by the Authority.

An assessment should take no longer than 6 months. (There are exceptions to this time limit e.g. when professional advice is received late).

Parents or carers can help by replying quickly whenever the Local Education Authority contacts you.

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