preference for a maintained school which the parents may state or any representation the parents may make in favour of a non-maintained special school (see Glossary) or an independent school.


Part 5: Non-educational needs

4:31. Part 5 should specify any non-educational needs of the child which the LEA either propose to meet or are satisfied will be met, by arrangement or otherwise, by the health services, social services department or some other body.


Part 6: Non-educational provision

4:32 Part 6 should specify the non-educational provision which is required to meet the needs identified in Part 5 and which the LEA either propose to make available or are satisfied will be purchased by the district health authority, GP fund holders or others.  The designated medical officer for special educational needs should liaise as necessary to ensure that the health service contribution has been confirmed.  Part 6 should also state the objectives to be achieved by such non-educational provision and should set out the arrangements which have been agreed by the LEA and the providing body for its delivery.

4:33. When considering a child's non-educational needs and provision, the LEA should ensure that the needs are clearly and accurately described and that there is full agreement on the nature and quantity of the provision necessary to meet those needs, consulting the relevant responsible professionals as necessary.


Speech and language therapy

4:34. Speech and language therapy may be regarded as either educational or non-educational provision, depending upon the health or developmental history of each child.  Prime responsibility for the provision of speech and language therapy services to children rests with the NHS.  This applies generally and also to any specification of such services in a statement of special educational needs, whether in Part 3 as educational provision or in  Part 6 as non-educational provision.  District health authorities and GP fund holders are responsible for purchasing therapy services through the contracts they make with provider, of health care (NHS Trusts).  The NHS provides a professionally-managed speech and language therapy service, covering pre-school, school-age and adult age groups and which has close links with the other child health services.

4:35 Where the NHS does not provide speech and language therapy for a child whose statement specifies such therapy as educational provision, ultimate responsibility for ensuring that the provision is made rests with the LEA, unless the child's parents have made appropriate alternative arrangements.  Schools, LEAs and the NHS should cooperate closely in meeting the needs of children with communication difficulties.