Special education needs (SEN)

The Council deploys seven SEN Panels to moderate and assist in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) decision making. SEN panels provide a forum for consultation and discussion aiming to support consistent and transparent decision-making. Decisions are in line with the guidance within the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and based on the evidence presented. The Panel structure has been designed to respond to the request type and age phase. The Panels are:

• EHCNA Request and Outcome (Reception to Year 8)
• SEND Inclusion Panel (Early Years / pre school age children)
• Preparing for Adulthood (Year 10 and above)
• Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) Annual Review Panel (Reception to Year 8)
• Top-up without an EHCP in CW&C primary and secondary schools
• High-Cost Placement Panel also known as Finance Panel
• Education Other Than at School/College (EOTAS/C)

Requests that are considered at Panel

The Panel considers requests for any of the following:

• a needs assessment for an EHCP
• an EHCP plan
• a change of educational placement or level of support related to an EHC Plan
• a personal budget
• cease an EHCP
• Top-up funding without an EHCP
• alternative education arrangements made by the Council in accordance with Section 319 of the Education Act 1996 or Section 61 of the Children and Families Act 2014

Who attends the SEND Panel meetings?

Panel membership may consist of:

• the Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team; they act as the meeting chair
• the Educational Psychology (EP) Service
• Social Care
• Designated Clinical Officer from the NHS or appropriate health partners such as Speech and Language Therapy Department
• local special schools
• local mainstream schools
• local further education providers

A range of other professionals can attend panel meetings on invitation.

How often do the Panels meet? 

Panels are held every week on a Tuesday morning during an academic year except for:

• SEND Inclusion Panel which meets every fortnight on a Wednesday morning
• Top-up funding without an EHCP which meets every 3 weeks on a Tuesday morning
• High-Cost Panel weekly on a Thursday afternoon
• Education Other Than At School or College Panel held monthly

Dates of the first Panel of the 2024/25 academic year

• EHCNA Request and Outcome – 3 September 2024
• SEND Inclusion Panel (Early Years) – 4 September 2024
• Preparing for Adulthood (Year 10 and above) – 3 September 2024
• EHCP Annual Review Panel (Reception to Year 8) – 3 September 2024
• Top-up without an EHCP in CW&C primary and secondary schools – 17 September 2024
• High-Cost Placement Panel also known as Finance Panel – 5 September 2024
• Education Other Than At School or College Panel - TBC

How are Panel outcomes recorded and shared? 

A record of the panel is of the decision and does not cover the panel members individual contribution or comments. The Council aim to share the Panel outcomes within 10 workings days of the Panel meeting date. This will be via email or letter.