All Statements of Special Educational Needs must be reviewed at least once a year. This process must be completed by the anniversary of the final statement or the last annual review. This is called the “Annual Review” process. Statements for young children under the age of five should be reviewed 6 monthly. Parents/carers can ask the school to arrange an Annual Review before the end of the twelve month period if they have concerns about their child’s education. The Local Authority tells each school which children’s Statements should be reviewed each school term. The Head-teacher then arranges a meeting, which is usually held at the school. You should be sent an Agenda at least two weeks before the meeting.

Who must be invited -
• Parents, carers or foster carers;
• School staff (such as Head-teacher, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator, teacher, teaching assistant);
• A representative of the Local Authority.
The Local Authority does not always send a representative. If you feel that someone should be there, ask the school to make this clear in the invitation. If someone from the Local Authority cannot come, remember that they will read your views in your report.

The following people might also be invited if they are involved with your child -
• Learning Support or Behaviour Support Advisory Teacher
• Educational Psychologist
• Education Welfare Officer
• Speech & language, occupational or physiotherapist
• Social Worker
• Health Visitor

However, if they cannot attend they can submit a written report.

Parents can ask to be invited -
• A member of family, friend or other contact
• Parent Partnership Officer

The child is often also invited to all or some of the meeting. If there is something that you want to discuss and you do not want your child to be present, then explain this to whoever is chairing the meeting.

Your written report

To prepare for this meeting the Head-teacher must ask for written information from parents and relevant professionals. The school should send you a form produced by your Local Authority with some suggestions for things to include. This will be your Parental Contribution to the Annual Review.

If you do not receive a form, then remind the school, but you can also write the report out on your own paper. You can also download the form from the Local Authority website. Contact Parent Partnership Service if you need any help giving your views.

Most parents complete the form and return it to the school before the meeting, so that their comments, questions and concerns can be discussed during the meeting. However, some parents prefer to wait until after the Annual Review meeting. They can then also choose to return the form to the school or directly to the Local Authority.

Preparing for the meeting

You should receive copies of the reports from the school and an Agenda at least two weeks before the meeting.

You may want make a list of any questions or comments that you would like to make. You can take this list with you as a reminder.

Do not be afraid to ask teachers and other professionals to explain jargon or any terms you do not understand.
You might want to ask a member of your family or a friend to come with you to the meeting to support you and to make some notes. A Parent Partnership Officer may be available to go with you, particularly if there are any difficult issues to discuss. If an officer is not available then someone may be able to help you prepare for the meeting. Please give as much notice as possible of the meeting date, and let the school know if you would like to bring someone.

At the Annual Review Meeting

The following issues will be considered:
• The parents/carers view
• The child’s views
• The school’s view (including progress made in teaching)
• The long-term objectives and targets set
• Reports from other professionals
• Any change in circumstance that could affect your child’s progress
• Current provision (teaching arrangements etc)
• Educational targets
• Any actions to be taken, and who by

Finally two important questions will be considered –
• Does the child still need a Statement?
• Does the Statement need to be amended (changed)?

Transition Review

This is the first Annual Review after the pupil’s 14th birthday. Someone offering IAG – Information Advice and Guidance for young people, should be there to advise about future plans for education, training and other aspects of the young person’s life. After this review a Transition Plan should be produced and updated every subsequent year. The Statement will lapse (end) when a young person leaves school. If the young person is moving to college at 16 years then a form should be written showing the young person’s educational needs and how they should be met.
 

Following the Annual Review Meeting

The Head-teacher is responsible for ensuring that a report is prepared. This should summarise what was discussed and agreed at the meeting and the educational targets for the next year. He/she must send this report to everyone who was involved in the review, including the parents/carers.

The Head-teacher must sends a copy of this report to the Local Authority within two weeks, or the end of term (whichever is sooner).

The next part of the process is that the Local Authority staff must then use the information from the Annual Review to decide whether to:
• Continue with the Statement as it is;
• Amend (change) the Statement to reflect any changes to the child’s needs;
• Cease to maintain (end) the Statement – and the child will be placed back at School Action Plus.

The Local Authority must write to the parents/carers to explain what they have decided to do. They will also inform you of your rights if you disagree with a decision. The Annual Review process is completed when the Local Authority has responded. The Annual Review process should be completed within 12 months of the statement being issued, or of the previous Annual Review.

If you disagree with any decisions that are made about your child’s statement following the Annual Review then look at our Factsheet Working with the Local Authority.

You can contact Parent Partnership Service if you would like to discuss your options.

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Parent Partnership Service - Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin
Telford & Wrekin CVS - Registered Charity Number 702589