Most children will make progress with the support of Essex School Action Plus. However, for a very small number of pupils with particularly severe and complex needs, the school may ask the Essex Statutory Assessment Service to carry out an assessment. This is a more detailed assessment involving all of the professionals who know your child. The special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO) will discuss this with you first.
Parents can also request us to carry out a statutory assessment. You can do this by writing to the Special Educational Needs & Children with Additional Needs service.
Special Educational Needs and Children with Additional Needs
(SENCAN) can provide information about special educational needs in Essex:
It is always a good idea to talk to the school before requesting an assessment.
If we receive a request, information will be collected from you, the school, and others working with your child, to see if a statutory assessment is needed.
An assessment is only carried out if;
- your child is working significantly below other children of the same age
- there has been a well planned programme in place at Essex School Action Plus over a period of time.
At the end of an assessment, which usually takes 26 weeks, we may draw up a statement of special educational needs. This describes all of a child’s needs and extra help that will be given from the school, Essex County Council and others.
Central SENCAN
Crossman House
Station Approach
Braintree
CM7 3QA
Tel: 01376 555656 |
East SENCAN
Park Road
Colchester
CO3 3UP
Tel: 01206 711136 |
West SENCAN
Goodman House
Station Approach
Harlow
Essex
CM18 6EH
Tel: 01279 404502 |
South SENCAN
The Knares
Basildon
SS16 5RX
Tel: 01268 886257 |
How you can help
- You know your child better than anyone - share all the information you have about them with the school and other professionals involved.
- Listen to your child, encourage and praise them to keep their self-esteem high.
- Keep in touch with the school and discuss how you can work together to support your child.
- Try to attend all meetings about your child (you may wish to take a friend or someone else with you). Just let the school know.
- Always contact the school if you have any concerns or questions.
If you are still worried about your child’s progress, you should consider other routes of action.