5. Assessments and Statements for Under Fives

Introduction

5:1. Social services departments, district health authorities, NHS Trusts, Family Health Service Authorities and the voluntary sector already work very closely together with LEAs in many aspects of the planning and provision of services to under fives.  LEAs should, wherever possible, use and build upon this well established network of relationships and services.

5:2. Young children should be assessed in a place where the child and family feel comfortable.  Access to other parents and to family centres and other local services, play and opportunity groups and toy libraries may be important to the parents and to the child, and have a direct impact on the effective implementation of any assessment process or educational programme.  The parental perspective is particularly important for children under five and the LEA should consider the use of parental guidelines on assessment to encourage parental participation.

5:3. LEAs should explain to parents of under fives with special educational needs their rights in relation to requesting a statutory assessment, and the implications of a statement - perhaps by issuing a leaflet.


Assessment of children under two



If an LEA believe that a child in their area who is under the age of two may have special

educational needs for which the LEA should determine the special educational provision,
the LEA may make an assessment of his or her educational needs if the parent consent
to it, and must make such an assessment if the parent requests it.  Such an assessment shall be in such manner as the authority consider appropriate.  Following such an assessment, the LEA may make and maintain a statement of the child's special educational needs in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(Section 175)


5:4. When a child under two is referred to the LEA, it is probable that any special needs will have been first identified by his or her parents, the child health services or social services.  The child is likely to have a particular condition or to have a major health problem which has caused concern at an early stage.  Assessment of children under two need not follow the statutory procedures which are applicable to assessments of children who are aged two and over.