The total time period from the receipt of a written request for a statutory assessment (see sample letter) to the issue of the final statement should normally be no more than 26 weeks.

The timetable for the separate parts which make up the whole process are as follows:

Considering whether a statutory assessment is necessary:
from the receipt of a written request for a statutory assessment
from parents to the decision as to whether to carry out a statutory assessment must normally be no more than: 6 weeks

Making the assessment:
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

Drafting the proposed statement or note in lieu:
from the LEA's decision 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, in the form of a note in lieu, must normally be no more than:   2 weeks

The final statement:
from the issue of the proposed statement to the issue of the final statement must normally be no more than: 8 weeks

It is important that the letter you write to your LEA contains the correct information and makes it clear you understand your rights and are exercising them.  The sample letter is provided to help you to do this.