ii.    within 15 days of meeting the officer, the parents may make further representations or, if they disagree with any part of the assessment, require further meetings to be arranged with appropriate people within the LEA to discuss the advice given

iii.    within a final I 5 days from the last meeting the parents can make further comments to the  LEA.

4:66. Every effort should be made to ensure that parents are happy with the proposed statement and that they understand the background to the proposals made for their child and consider that their wishes and feelings have been given full and sensitive consideration.  Similar effort should be made to ensure that, so far as possible, the child's views are reflected in the proposed statement and that the child understands the reasons for the proposals.

4:67. At any meetings arising from the proposed statement, LEA officers should give parents sufficient time and information in order to discuss their anxieties with the Named LEA Officer, and seek as far as possible to come to a mutual agreement.  Some parents may find assessment very stressful and need additional personal support.  LEAs should inform parents that they may be accompanied by friends or relatives, or their Named Person, at any meetings (see paragraph 3:11).  The LEA may wish to refer parents to professionals in health or other services for clarification of any relevant aspect of the provision proposed which is giving cause for concern.


The final statement


Where an LEA make a statement, they shall serve a copy on the child's parents and give notice in writing of their right to appeal to the Tribunal against the description in the statement of the child's special educational needs, the special educational provision in the statement, and the school named or, if no school is named, that fact.  The LEA must also give the parents the name of the person to whom they may apply for information and advice about the child's special educational needs.

(Schedule 10, para 6)

4:68. When amendments are suggested to the proposed statement and agreed by the LEA and the parents, the final statement should be issued immediately.  LEAs must arrange the special educational provision, and may arrange any non-educational provision specified in the statement, from the date on which the statement is made.  Every effort should be made to ensure that parents understand the significance of any amendments and the nature of the provision which is proposed to meet the child's special educational needs.  Where, despite opportunities to discuss the situation with an officer of the LEA and any relevant professionals, the parents' proposals for amendments to the proposed statement are refused by the LEA, or the parents are unwilling to accept other amendments to the proposed statement, the LEA may nonetheless proceed to issue the final statement.  The LEA must, however, inform the parents of their right to appeal to the Tribunal with regard to the