The Assessment, Review & Monitoring Team
Part of Inclusive Services

The Assessment, Review and Monitoring Team (ARM) was initially set up to fulfil the statutory responsibilities of an LEA as set out in the SEN Code of Practice. Primarily this work revolved around pupils with statements of special educational needs:

• Statutory assessment process – including the issuing of statements and notes in lieu

• Placement of pupils

• Monitoring the progress of pupils

• The annual review process

• The maintenance of statements – amending or ceasing to maintain as and when appropriate

However the work of the team has developed recently so that in addition they

• Work closely with parents and carers with regards to a number of areas including disability issues in education, the statutory assessment process, the placement of pupils with statements, PSPs and exclusions, ensuring they are well informed and fully involved in decision making

• Advise schools with regard to disability issues and meeting the needs of pupils with medical needs

• Point schools in the right direction with regard to appropriate services – Inclusive Services, SC&YP, Local Authority and beyond

• Advise and support schools with regard to pupils with BESD – through the PSP process and signing posting appropriate support services

• Provide advice to schools about best practice in regard to identifying and meeting the needs of pupils with additional educational needs – including access to buildings and curriculum as well as monitoring the progress of pupils with special educational needs

• Work with schools to ensure smooth transitions for pupils between key stages, as they change provision or as they move into / out of the authority – Assistant Education Officers aim to attend all Year 5 and Year 9 reviews for pupils with a statement

• Support and challenge schools in areas such as ensuring that resources allocated to pupils with special educational needs are used efficiently and effectively, the progress of pupils with special educational needs, the use of exclusions, promoting of inclusion in schools

• Take responsibility for representing the Authority through the SEN&DisT process

• Have responsibility for the provision of home to school transport for pupils with special educational needs, attending the PRUs and with medical needs – including transport to post 16 provision when appropriate

• Work closely with parents and carers