The purpose of the SEND Panel is to ensure consistent and appropriate decisions are made and the needs of children and young people is identified in a timely manner, in accordance with the 20 week statutory guidelines. These decisions are regulated by:
- The Children and Families Act 2014
- Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and
- The SEND Code of Practice 2015.
The Children and Families Act 2014 introduced requirements for education services, health services and social care services to work more closely together. As a result an EHCP was produced and is used when assessing the special education needs of children and young people. An EHCP is a legal document which has statutory powers similar to a statement of special educational needs and can be issued between the ages of 0-25.
The SEND Panel also deals with requests for additional hours, change of placements or provision; pupils at risk of exclusion or out of school; and other requests from either the local authority or an external authority.
The panel is chaired by the SEND Manager (Emma Kinrade). The meeting consists of LA representatives, primary and secondary school representatives, social care representative and a SENDCo.
If you would like to observe a SEND Panel, please email the sendteam@slough.gov.uk, where a Business Support Officer should be able to assist.
The panel meets every Tuesdays (9.30am – 12:00pm) at St Martins Place, Slough Borough Council.