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EDUCATION
INDICATOR 5: SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS
The average time taken to complete an assessment of special
educational needs, and the percentage of assessments completed
within the following time bands: up to 18 weeks, 19 to 26 weeks, 27
to 39 weeks, 40 to 52 weeks, and more than a year.
This indicator reports the average length of time that it takes each council to carry
out an assessment of a child over the age of five, who may have special educational
needs.
Points to bear in mind
It may be necessary to assess a pupil’s special educational needs if the child has a
learning difficulty, physical disability, psychological problem, or any combination
of these. These needs cannot normally be met from the resources typically available
in schools. Following an assessment, the council must notify the child’s parent or
guardian as to whether or not it intends to record the child as having special
educational needs, and the reasons for its decision. The council must provide for
the special educational needs of a child for whom it creates a record of need.
The key factors that influence this indicator are:
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the number and complexity of the referrals received by the council
the time taken by the staff of other organisations to respond to requests for
information.
In some cases, an assessment is delayed to allow for a change in a child’s
circumstances or personal development. In other cases, a longer time to complete
an assessment is agreed with the parents or guardian of a child, or stems from a
request from them for a delay.
Commentary
In 1999/2000, councils carried out 1,879 assessments of special educational
needs, nearly 11% more than in the previous year (Table 5a).
Overall, councils reported a welcome reduction in the average time taken
for an assessment. In 1999/2000 the average time fell by four weeks, from
34 weeks in 1998/99 to 30 weeks. It varied among councils from 16 weeks
(Angus and Stirling) to 49 weeks in Scottish Borders. Eighteen councils
reduced the average time taken for an assessment.
Sixteen councils completed assessments in an average time of 28 weeks or
less, five more councils than in 1998/99. No council took an average of over
a year to complete assessments, compared to three councils in 1998/99.
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