ABSTRACT

The first document that is produced once the local education authority (LEA) has decided that it is necessary to issue a Statement of special educational needs is the proposed Statement or draft Statement. Children with physical impairments, requiring physiotherapy or occupational therapy, are generally considered under the Code of Practice to need to have these elements defined as non-educational needs, and anything put in place to meet those needs would be classed as non-educational provision. The Code of Practice indicates that Statements should be clear and unambiguous, use language that both professionals and parents can understand, including explanations of any technical terms used. Mainstream schools can assist this decision-making process for parents by ensuring that their special educational needs (SEN) policy is readily available, and that either the head teacher or special educational needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) is willing to meet with prospective parents at relatively short notice.