Reviewing pupils statement of SEN
Annual Reviews
The aim of the Annual Review of statements is to closely assess a child’s progress towards meeting the objectives specified in the statements and to gather and record information that the school and other professionals can use in planning their support for the child. The pupil’s own views are taken into account in this process.
If the review meeting is to be most effective and to comply with the recommendations of the Code of Practice, it is essential that extensive preparation be undertaken. Furthermore, to ensure a considered perspective, all parties involved in reviewing a pupil’s progress must have access to important/relevant information at least two weeks before the meeting commence.
Lambeth statements set out the monitoring arrangements. All statements must be reviewed annually. The LA will advise schools when they are required to plan reviews. Schools will give consideration to how they ensure the active involvement of the individual pupil and accessibility for parent or carers who require support such as for translation and interpretation. Social Services should be advised when reviews are anticipated for looked after pupils to enable effective collaboration and joint plans to be developed.
Annual Reviews of pupils with statements from Lambeth education both within and outside the borough will be attended by an LA representative according to priority.
The first annual review must be held within 12 months of the date of the final statement or earlier if specified in the statement. The school, parent or statement monitoring team may request early reviews, if there are serious concerns about pupil progress. An early review must be held where a pupil is in danger of exclusion. These reviews are additional to and do not replace the annual review. Early reviews should focus on the areas of concern and do not have to follow the same process.
Where transfer may be a consideration, careful thought and advance planning is essential for all pupils.
Secondary transfer
The year five reviews will consider secondary transfer and become a high priority for schools, carers, LA’s and outside agencies.
The transitional review is held in Year 9. The annual review will therefore review the pupil’s statement as usual in addition draw up a Transitional Plan. The aim of the transitional planning is to help the young person prepare for a successful and smooth transition to adult life. The transitional plan will be undertaken in accordance with the SEN Code of Practice. It is a requirement of the code of practice that Social Care and the Connexions Service are invited. Transition Planning must draw together information from a range of individuals within and beyond schools to plan coherently for the young person with the parent/carer involved in a meaningful way. The involvement of the Connexions Service will be central to Transition
Planning. Subsequent reviews must review the transition plan.
The LA will issue guidance on the annual review process and will work with schools to
increase the quality and quantity of evidence of pupil progress available at Annual Review. When progress is evident consideration will be given to increasing independent learning through revising the level of support or ceasing to maintain a statement. The use of funding delegated to the school is monitored at each Annual review and funding will reflect any changes in the pupil needs. The LA’s statement monitoring Team play a key role in this area.
Where training and support for staff are identified as areas for action following an Annual
Review, the LA will consider the effective use of other strands of funding such as Standards Fund to facilitate improvement.
The Annual Review may result in recommendations to change the provision, for the LA to consider. However, the review meeting does not have the authority agree or implement any proposed changes in the provision or any part of the statement. Where there is a proposal to amend a statement, the LA may seek additional advice e.g. Educational Psychology Service or other agencies. When this is anticipated, it is advisable to involve the particular professional/agency fully in the Annual Review process. Headteachers should include this in the termly planning for the work with services such as the Educational Psychologist.
Headteachers are responsible for signing the review summary report and sending it to the LA and all those who attended or contributed to the review, including parents or carers.
Decisions to review the provision of resources for the statement will be made by the LA’s SEN Panel.
All Annual Reviews are monitored by the LA and the school and parent or carers are notified of any action to be taken.