1. What is a low incidence need?

A low-incidence Statement is for a Special Educational Need that does not occur frequently in Hackney schools.

In deciding whether a pupil's needs are of high or low incidence The Learning Trust's Complex Needs Panel considers their complexity, their severity and the impact that they have on the pupil's learning. It is not always possible to make straight-forward decision based on the type of need. The panel's discussions are based on the following guidelines:

High-incidence needs:

• slow cognitive development
• literacy and/or numeracy difficulties
• specific learning difficulties
• moderate learning difficulties
• behavioural difficulties
• sensory impairment
• physical difficulties
• severe health problems
• communication difficulties
• conditions with an organic or neurological cause which cause marked difficulties in all aspects of development

Low-incidence needs:

• severe learning difficulties
• severe visual and hearing difficulties
• severe physical difficulties
• severe communication disorders including autistic spectrum disorder
• serious medical conditions
• severe behavioural difficulties
• children with complex needs who will require input from a range of professionals

2. What do I do if the school says it has no money to meet my child's needs?

By law schools must meet the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs. According to the Government Code of Practice schools must ?use their best endeavours to see that pupils with Special Educational Needs receive the help their learning calls for'. Each school receives money to enable it to do this.

If you are not satisfied that your child is receiving the help he or she needs you should discuss it with the school's SENCO or headteacher. Hackney Parent Partnership may well be able to help in these discussions.

The Learning Trust has the power to intervene if the provision made for a pupil is not sufficient to meet their needs.

3. How do I get a Statement for my child?

According to the Government Code of Practice schools should adopt a graduated approach to matching Special Education provision to a child's needs. In a high proportion of cases a child's needs are met through procedures and resources specified through the Stages of School Action and School Action Plus. In general, The Learning Trust will agree to write a Statement only when presented with evidence that significant problems remain despite applying the procedures specified under School Action and School Action Plus.

Parents, or an agency such as Social Services or the Health Authority, can request that a child be assessed as to whether a Statement is necessary by applying directly to the Learning Trust's SEN Assessment and Monitoring Team. All requests for Statutory Assessment are considered by the Learning Trust's Pre-assessment Panel.

4. What can I do if I disagree with my child's school or the Learning Trust?

If you have a disagreement with your child's school you should always speak to the head teacher in the first instance. If this does not resolve the issue or you have a complaint regarding the head teacher you should contact the chair of governors. These procedures will be laid out in the school's formal complaints procedure.

The Hackney Parent Partnership Service offers parents independent advice and may be able to assist in resolving complaints against schools or The Learning Trust. Alternatively the London SEN Disagreement Resolution Service can mediate between parents and schools or LEAs. If you are still not satisfied you can contact The Learning Trust's Complaints Officer.

If you disagree with the contents of a Statement or a decision not to write one, an appeal can be made to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal .

The Local Government Ombudsman will also deal with complaints concerning local government.

Related Material:
Hackney Parent Partnership
Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal