ABSTRACT
Annual Reviews are required at least once a year in order to review and update the Statement of Special Educational Needs. More frequent reviews may be required if the child’s needs or circumstances change rapidly. Annual Reviews are essentially about reviewing the past, looking at the present and planning the future. Their main purposes are to review progress made over the preceding year, identify outstanding tasks and agree future objectives, both new ones and those set previously and not completely achieved. They serve to review needs and to update the Statement in the light of this; levels of provision can also be adjusted and the appropriateness of placement considered. Recommendations must also be made on whether or not to continue to maintain the Statement. While Annual Reviews are organised and conducted at school, these can only make recommendations; it is for the LEA to make decisions. This is not always understood by parents and other parties so that Chairs of Annual Reviews are advised to make this clear (DfES 2001b).
