Recommendation 2 of the ELLS Committee Policy Review of SEN Part 2 : Statutory Assessment Framework (Statementing)

The National Assembly for Wales (Legislative Competence) (Education and Training) Order 2008 was approved by Privy Council on 9 April 2008. The Assembly is now able to make changes, by way of an Assembly Measure, to the statutory assessment process in Wales.

However, prior to making any amendments to primary legislation officials have engaged in widespread consultation on the details of the various options available.

The statutory assessment and statementing group has developed an options paper which sets out a range of alternatives to the current statutory assessment framework. This paper forms part of the pre consultation exercise that began in the summer term.

There were five regional events held throughout Wales in June 2007. These events were aimed at parents and carers of children young people with SEN. Initial feedback has been positive and parents have welcomed this approach.

In addition to this there were five regional events held throughout Wales for professionals in October 2007.  A wide cross section of professionals attended these events from schools, local education authorities (LEA) and health and social services.  Officials have also undertaken a series of events for the voluntary sector and various organisations/groups across Wales in the Autumn term.

A written summary of both parental and professional views was presented to the task group end January 2008. The shaping of proposals for improvement and how best pilot those proposals was discussed with this group of key stakeholders. A next steps paper was also presented to key stakeholders from the local education authority at the ‘Framing for Change’ conference in March 2008.

Formal consultation will follow the piloting process and no changes to the statutory assessment framework for SEN will take place without this formal consultation.