Information, Support and Training for Parents and Carers

of Children with Special Educational Needs in Cornwall

Cornwall Parent Partnership Service

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What is the Annual Review?

Once a statement has been issued all parts of the statement are reviewed annually by the Children and Young People and Families Service but a review can be held sooner if any changes in circumstance make it necessary. The school holds an annual review meeting after which a report of the meeting is sent to the Children and Young People and Families Service for their consideration.

What is the purpose of the review meeting?

• Listen to your views, the views of your child and those of the people involved in working with your child.
• Review the SEN provision made for your child
• Examine if the targets set for the previous year have been achieved and set new targets for the next year
• Decide whether it is necessary to make changes to the statement. Changes may be made if your child had developed other educational needs, moved to a different school or moved from one Children and Young People and Families Service to another.
• Consider whether a statement is still necessary.

Will I be asked to the annual review meeting?

Yes, you will. You and everyone involved with your child will be asked for a  

Annual Review

What should I include in my report?

• Your views on your child’s progress over the last year
• What has pleased you and also any concerns
• What you feel are your child’s needs for the coming year
• What you think you and the school can do to meet those needs.

Making the meeting work for you and your child
Meetings can be very worrying with so many professionals present. Don’t be put off because meetings can make things happen for your child. Look for the outcomes you want. Here are a few ways to help make the meeting work for you and your child. Please refer to the SEN Code of Practice 2001, Chapter 9, for details on how the Annual Reviews should be conducted.

Before the meeting

• What is the meeting for? Is there a particular problem? It is is not clear, don’t be afraid to ask.
• Make sure you know exactly when and where it is taking place. If it is not convenient ask whether it can take place another time.
• If it is somewhere you don’t know, ask about parking, which door to use and who to ask for.
• Try to make sure you have copies of reports and letters before the meeting.
• Jot down the things you want to talk about and questions you want to ask. Take a friend or you may want someone from the Parent Partnership Service. Tell the person organising the meeting a person will be with you.

At the Meeting

• At the beginning everyone should introduce themselves. If you are not sure who a person is or why he/she is there, ask.
• Ask people to repeat or explain things if you don’t understand. Don’t accept jargon!
• Listen to those present. Ask questions. Write things down if you need to. Keep calm if you can, even if things are not going well. Be assertive but not rude.

At the end of the meeting

• Ask for a summing up of decisions made and actions to be taken.
• Make a note of the date of a possible further meeting.
• Make sure arrangements are made for a written report or minutes of the meeting to be sent to you.

After the meeting

• If nothing happens, contact the person who organised the meeting and/or professionals who agreed to do something for your child.

Annual Review

How long does a statement last?

As long as your child needs it, or until he or she leaves school. The Annual Review process is the process by which  the SEN Assessment and Education Provision Team monitor and evaluate the continued effectiveness and appropriateness of a Statement.

What happens next?

The school will prepare a report summing up the results of the review and setting targets for the following year. A copy of the report will be sent to all parties. Cornwall Children and Young People and Families Service will then:

• Review the existing statement in the light of the report
• Decide whether to accept the head teacher’s recommendations
• Inform all appropriate people, including you, of the Education Authority’s decision.

The Children and Young People and Families Service will let you know in writing of any proposed changes to the statement and the reasons for them. You then

written report before the meeting. This is so everyone involved can see each other’s reports. Copies of the written reports must be sent to all those invited to the meeting at least two weeks before it takes place. Your Parent Partner can help you with your report and go with you to the annual review meeting.

have 15 days to decide whether you agree with the amended statement. If you  

agree the Children and Young People and Families Service will issue a final

statement. If you do not agree you should ask for a meeting with your

Named Officer.