When is a statutory assessment likely to be carried out?

Many children do not require a statutory assessment in order to ensure that their needs are met at school. This is because the school itself can take action to help the child to learn at school.

On the other hand, when a child’s needs are significant and/or complex it may be necessary for the Education Authority to carry out a statutory assessment to find out whether extra support, provided directly by the Education Authority is required e.g. a classroom assistant.

Often a child will already be on Stage 3 of the Code of Practice when a request for a statutory assessment is made. However, the 5 stages are not “hurdles” which have to be crossed in turn and in some complex or serious cases it is appropriate to request a statutory assessment when no previous action has been taken at stages 1-3.