The Purpose of the Panel
The Statutory SEND Panel decides:
- Whether to carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment
- Whether to issue an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan, following an EHC Needs Assessment
- Whether requests for a change in the level or type of provision for a child or young person with an EHC Plan should be issued. This is following an EHC Plan Review
- The appropriate educational placement and/or resources for a child or young person who has an EHC Plan
- Whether it is appropriate to stop a child or young person's EHC Plan
The SEND Panel meets every week, throughout the year, including school holidays. The SEND Panel meets at New County Hall, Truro.
Who is on the Panel?
The Statutory SEND Panel consists of:
- Members of the Statutory SEND Service
- Representatives of SEND Support Services
- Member of the Children's Psychology Service
- Representative of Children's Social Care
- Cornwall's Designated Medical Officer
- Representatives of schools and settings (SENDCOs or Headteachers)
Terms of Reference
The Terms of Reference for The Statutory Special Educational Needs Panel give more information about how the Statutory Special Educational Needs Panel works.
Decisions made by the Panel
Recommendations and decisions are based on the evidence presented.
Parents and schools are informed of the Panel's decision by their SEND Casework Officer via phone or email. A formal decision letter will confirm this decision. If an EHC Needs Assessment is not going ahead, the letter will state any reasons why.
Attending a Panel Meeting
We welcome colleagues from Educational Settings, Health and Social Care who may wish to understand more about how the panel works. Visitors are welcome from 12 noon to see the paperwork involved. The meeting starts at 1pm.
Attending can support professional development. It is an opportunity to gain an insight into how decisions about SEND Statutory Assessments and Provision are made.
Bookings need to be made in advance due to room size.
If you are interested in joining us as an observer, please contact us using the contact us on 01872 324242 or statutorysen@cornwall.gov.uk
Information Films
This series of information films give an overview of the role of Cornwall's Statutory SEND Panel, also known as the SEND Panel. This includes who attends the SEND Panel, the decisions that the SEND Panel make and how you will find out about an SEND Panel decision.
This film provides information about the role of the Statutory SEND Panel, when SEND Panel meetings occur and who attends SEND Panel meetings.
This film provides information about the three types of decisions the SEND Panel make during meetings.
This film provides information about the first type of decision the Statutory SEND Panel makes, regarding requests for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessments.
This film provides information about the second type of decision the Statutory SEND Panel makes: whether or not to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan, following an EHC Needs Assessment.
This film provides information about the third type of decision the Statutory SEN: Panel makes: requests for a change in the level or type of provision for a child or young person who already has an EHC Plan. This is following an EHC Plan Review.
This film provides information about how you will hear about decisions made by the Statutory SEN Panel. This includes information about Statutory SEND Casework Officers. They are the main point of contact for the family and the educational setting.