3:29.   The cumulative effect of these time limits is that the period from the receipt of a request for a statutory assessment or the issue of a notice to parents under section 167(1) or section 174(2) to the issue of the final copy of the statement should normally be no more than 26 weeks.

3:30.   The timetable for the whole process is as follows:

considering whether a statutory assessment is necessary
the period from the issue of a notice under sections 167 (1) or
174(2) or the receipt of a request for a statutory assessment
from parents to the decision as to whether to make a statutory
assessment must normally be no more than:   6 weeks                              6 weeks in total

making the assessment: the period from the LEA's decision to
make a statutory assessment to the LEA's decision as to whether
to make a statement must normally be no more than a further   10 weeks   16 weeks in total

drafting the proposed statement or note in lieu (see Glossary):
the period from the LEA's decision whether to make
a statement to the issue of a proposed statement or of a notice of the
LEA's decision not to make a statement, giving full reasons, preferably
in the form of a note in lieu, must normally be no more than:  2 weeks        18 weeks in total

finalising the statement: the period from the issue of
the proposed statement to the issue of the final copy of
the statement must normally be no more than:   8 weeks                         26 weeks in total


Total 26 weeks

The Local Government Ombudsman is excellent in insuring that LEA's keep to the time limits imposed by the Education Act and also that correct procedure is followed.  However, you must tell the Ombudsman what rule or regulation the LEA is breaking when you contact him.

For example:-

The LEA is NOT keeping to the strict six weeks time limit to give me a written decision as to if they will or will not assess.  This being contrary to section 3:30 of the SEN Code of Practice.