Statistics · Department for Education

Main text: OSR30/2010

Statistical

Release

Special Educational Needs: Statements Issued Within 26 Weeks In 2009-10 Introduction This publication presents national and local authority (LA) figures from 2009-10 for statements of special educational needs (SEN). This information is provided to help LAs assess comparative performance in meeting statutory time limits on finalising statements of SEN and to provide parents and other interested parties with this information. This publication complements earlier information on SEN in England which is detailed below. There is considerable evidence of the benefits of early and timely intervention to address children’s SEN. Parents are concerned that SEN statements should be completed within the statutory time limit so that appropriate intervention to meet their children’s SEN can begin. This publication provides information to parents on the percentage of statements which are completed within the statutory time limit in their local areas. Two local authority measures are included within this publication to provide detail on the timeliness of SEN statements:

Osr 30/2010 9 December 2010 Coverage: England Theme: Health, well- being and Care Issued by Department for Education Sanctuary Buildings Great Smith Street London SW1P 3BT Telephone: Press Office 020 7925 6789 Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288 Statistician Andy Brook Email info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk Internet http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsg ateway/index.shtml

Table A The number of final statements of SEN issued within 26 weeks excluding exception cases as a proportion of all such statements issued in the year. Table B The number of final statements of SEN issued within 26 weeks as a proportion of all such statements issued in the year. This information was submitted directly by LAs to the Department for Communities and Local Government. Key Points This publication provides national and LA figures for both sets of SEN statements detailed above.

Within Table A, 95 per cent of final statements of SEN in England in 2009- 10 were issued within 26 weeks (excluding exception cases). Local authority performance varied from 45 per cent to 100 per cent.

Within Table B, 87 per cent of final statements in England in 2009-10 were issued within 26 weeks. Local authority performance varied from 16 per cent to 100 per cent. The publication these national and local level figures allow DfE policy and local authorities to monitor the length of time taken to issue the statements. We are publishing information on statements that are issued for the first time in the financial year – reassessments are not considered. This is not a National Statistics publication.

This publication provides 2009-10 figures for all local authorities in England. The technical definition for these indicators can be found within Annex A. Background This information was collected and published for the first time in 2008-09. Comparative figures for 2008-09 are included within the tables of this release for information. The construction of these figures are based on the Best Value Performance Indicators (Bvpi) 43A and 43B which measured the percentage of draft SEN statements produced within 18 weeks. A link to the national and LA 2007-08 figures for the respective BVPIs are included in Notes to Editors. The start of the 26 week period is the date on which a request for assessment is received from a parent or responsible body – school or early years setting – or the date on which the authority issues a notice to parents that a statutory assessment is being considered. A referral from another agency, such as Health, is not a request from a responsible body. In these circumstances, the timescale would start from the date that the authority issues a notice to parents that the assessment is being considered. The 26-week limit is made up of; Six weeks from receipt of a request to decide whether to conduct an assessment; ten weeks to conduct the assessment and decide whether to draw up a statement (including six weeks to seek and receive advice for the assessment); two weeks to draft a proposed statement; and eight weeks to finalise the statement. The Education (Special Educational Needs) (England) (Consolidation) Regulations 2001 allow for exceptions to these internal time limits, for example where the local authority has not received advice from those from whom it has been requested for the assessment within time. Indicator A excludes cases where exceptions have occurred and Indicator B includes all statements. The 26-week indicators were included within the National Indicator Set for the previous Government as Ni 103. Tables Table 1: Number of final statements of special educational needs issued within 26 weeks excluding exception cases as a proportion of all such statements issued in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (England and local authorities). Table 2: Number of final statements of special educational needs issued within 26 weeks as a proportion of all such statements issued in 2008-09 and 2009-10 (England and local authorities). Related Information Further information on children with special educational needs can be found at the following publications: Children with Special Educational Needs 2010: an analysis http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/Db/Sta/t000965/index.shtml Special Educational Needs in England: January 2010 http://www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/Db/Sfr/s000939/index.shtml

Notes To Editors

  • This is not a National Statistics publication. It has been produced to help local authorities assess

comparative performance in meeting statutory time limits on finalising statements. It has also been produced to provide parents and other interested parties with this information.

  • Enquiries (non-media) about information contained in this document should be addressed to Andy

Brook, Analysis and Research Division, 1st Floor Area H, Mowden Hall, Staindrop Road, Darlington, DL3 9BG, email Andrew.Brook@education.gsi.gov.uk or telephone 01325 735408.

  • Media enquiries about information contained in this Statistical Release should be made to the

Department’s Press Office at Department for Education, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BT or telephone 020 7925 6789.

  • Better Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) 43A and 43B for 2007-08 were published for England

and all local authorities on the Audit Commission’s website at: http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/localgov/audit/BVPIs/Pages/200708bvpidataquartiles.aspx.

Annex A: Technical Definition For Indicators A And B: Statements Of Special Educational Needs Issued Within 26 Weeks

  • The number of final statements of special educational needs issued within 26 weeks excluding exception

cases as a proportion of all such statements issued in the year.

A y x A

100 × =

A Where: = A x Final statements of special educational needs excluding exception cases issued within 26 weeks. = B y All final statements of special educational needs issued (excluding exception cases).

  • The number of final statements of special educational needs issued within 26 weeks as a proportion of

all such statements issued in the year.

B y x B

100 × =

B Where: = B x Final statements of special educational needs issued within 26 weeks, including exceptions. = B y All final statements of special educational needs.