What is an Annual Review?
Your child’s statement must be reviewed at least once a year, within twelve months of the last review, or by the date the statement was made if it is a new statement. The review may be brought forward if there are concerns about your child. The review is a chance to discuss your child’s progress, and whether any changes need to be made to the statement. Your views and your child’s views are an important part of this process. The annual review process follows a timescale described below.
What happens before the Annual Review?
The Head of your child’s school starts the review process by inviting you, and other professionals who are involved with your child, to the meeting. The Head will also ask for written advice about your child from you and the professionals. You may be sent a form to complete. This is an opportunity to give your views and say if there are any issues you would particularly like to discuss at the meeting.
In preparation for writing your own views, go through the statement carefully. Does part two still describe your child’s needs accurately? Does your child need the same amount of help as set out in part three or does this need to be increased/decreased? Make a note of anything which needs updating. If there have been any particular problems at school: for example, exclusion, bullying, or attendance, describe these as well.
At least two weeks before the meeting, the Head must send all the written advice to all the people who have been invited to the meeting, and ask for additional comments. This is a good opportunity for you to go through all the reports and make a note of anything you would like to discuss at the meeting. Do you agree with the views others have expressed about your child and the support they are receiving? Are there any recommendations you would like to highlight?
What happens at the Annual Review meeting?
This will usually be held at the school and may only include you and school staff. Your child may be invited for part of the meeting. Other professionals may not attend an Annual Review unless there is a problem or it is a significant review, such as a transition review (see education after 16 factsheet). You can take someone with you to the meeting to support you and take notes for you, such as a friend or relative, or someone from the Parent Partnership service. Tell the school if you are planning to bring someone else to the meeting.
The meeting should focus on your child’s progress since the last review and discuss whether the statement needs to stay as it is, change, or end. The meeting should look at the targets set at the last review and your child’s progress towards these, and then set new targets for your child to work towards in the coming year. The targets should meet the longer term objectives set out in part three of the statement.
What happens after the Annual Review meeting?
The Head must send a report to the Local Authority no later than ten days after the meeting. The report should draw together the views expressed and include any recommendations, with reasons, on whether the statement should continue as it is, be amended, or ended altogether. You should receive a copy of this report.
The Local Authority will look at the report and decide whether to :
- amend the statement
- leave the statement unchanged
- cease to maintain (end) the statement
The Local Authority must tell you their decision within one week of making it. If they are going to amend the statement, they must send you a notice giving you the details and must start the process without delay. You can give your views and/or ask for a meeting to discuss the proposed amendments within fifteen days of receiving their decision.
The official decision from the LA completes the Annual Review process. If you are not happy with the decision, you have the right of appeal to the First Tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
Remember, you can contact us free on 0808 808 3555, or post a query on facebook or twitter and one of our SEN advisers will get back to you. Alternatively drop us an email helpline@cafamily.org.uk
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