Give feedback on this pageStatutory assessment can be a confusing process. Many parents wish they had someone to help them when their child's statement is first produced. This has been provided for in the Code of Practice for Special Educational Needs:
Before you receive a copy of your child's final statement the Education Authority must give you in writing the name of a person who can give you information and support about your child's special educational needs and how they should be met. This is the Parent Partnership Service.
- Amongst other things the Parent Partnership Service will:-
- support you in your discussions with those involved in making decisions about
your child's statement. - The Parent Partnership Service will help you to express your viewpoint.
- give you information on your rights and responsibilities under the Code of Practice
for Special Educational Needs. - Give you information on special needs in general. If the Parent Partnership Service does not know the answer then he/she will know who does.
Generally act as a sympathetic and understanding helping hand.
Amongst other things the Parent Partnership Service should:
- be independent of the Education Authority
- have skills of negotiation and support
- be familiar with the Code of Practice for Special Needs
- have some knowledge of special needs and local special needs provision.
In this county we have arranged with SNAP that they will provide a Parent Partnership representative for each child's Proposed Statement if this is requested.
When you receive your child's Proposed Statement you will also receive a Preference form which will give the name, address and telephone number of SNAP. All you have to do is write or telephone them and they will do the rest. The Preference form will allow you to inform the Education Authority of the name of the person you have nominated to act on your behalf.
You do not have to use SNAP. If you have another person or organisation who is willing to act for you in this role then you are welcome to nominate them. (However, the Education Authority would not be willing to pay any fees incurred by this.)
You can use the preference form to let the Education Authority know whom you would wish to act on your behalf but you do not have to use the Parent Partnership Service. I would however, encourage you to use this service and hope that you find it useful.
The Parent Partnership Service (SNAP) can be contacted at
SNAP Cymru, Uned 12, Llys Onnen, Ffordd y Llyn, Parc Menai, Bangor, LL57 4DF
Telephone Number: 0845 1203730
Minicom: 0845 1228673
The NCH Cymru/Family Mediation Service offer the SEN Disagreement Resolution Service, who offer a mediation service where there is a disagreement involving a child with special educational needs between the parents, school or local education authority.
The freephone telephone number is: 0800 3896 037.
You can also contact the Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales (SENTW). The Helpline telephone number is: 01597 829800. They will answer any questions you have or send you a copy of the booklets Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales: 'How to Appeal' and/or 'How to Make a Claim'.