EHC: The SEND Placement Panel (Terms of Reference) - WNC

The purpose of the Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) Placement Panel is to ensure there is transparent, consistent, fair and focused decision making, in line with the legislation for the educational placement of children and young people with Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans. The SEND Placement Panel is where a decision is made about the type of educational setting that a child or young person requires.

The SEND Panel considers every request on an individual basis. It makes decisions based on the evidence provided and against the criteria set out in the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

The panel will make all decisions relating to the following:

• The following changes to Section I (Placement): from a mainstream setting to a resource base, a SEND unit, or a special school (maintained or academy within the Local Authority)
• Education otherwise than at school/college (EOTAS/EOTAC) - initial decision to agree; packages to be taken to funding panel
• Not to issue an EHC Plan following an assessment or reassessment
• Cease to maintain an EHC Plan

Principles and Approaches

The principles and approaches underpinning these Terms of Reference (TOR) are:

• Aspirational and pearson centred
• To empower children and young people, their families/carers
• To promote equality and support preparation for adulthood
• Evidence based and proportionate
• To safeguard and work together for positive outcomes for children and young people
• To be able to demonstrate consistency of decision making
• To ensure the most suitable educational provision is identified for children and young people

What happens at Panel?

The information relating to the child or young person and their needs is compiled by the Case Work Officer and is shared with members of the SEND Placement Panel members by the panel administrator prior to the meeting. The information considered by the Panel will vary depending on the request, but can include:

• Confirmation of the needs of the child or young person 
• Attendance data 
• Information from the parent or carer 
• The views of the child or young person themselves 
• Professional advice 
• The EHC plan or SEND Support Plan (if decision has not been made to issue)
• The review of an EHC plan

The SEND Panel considers every request on an individual basis. It makes decisions based on the evidence provided and the following law and regulations:

• The Children and Families Act 2014 
• The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 
• The SEND Code of Practice 2015

Who attends the Panel?

The panel can include the following the people (at least 4 have to be present for the panel to take place):

• Head of SEND (Chair)
• EHC Service Manager (Vice Chair)
• Principal/Senior Educational Psychologist
• Designated Clinical Officer
• Team Lead, Inclusion and Intervention Support Team (IIST)
• Representative from the Commissioning Hub
• Representatives from educational settings - headteacher/s or special educational needs coordinator/s (SENCo/s) from mainstream and/or specialist settings
• Representative from the Parent/Carer Forum - West Northants Voices in Partnership (WNVP)

How can children, young people, and families share their views?

Parents, children and young people don't attend the SEND Placement and Provision Panel meetings, but you are an important part of our decision making. You can provide your views in a number of ways:

• during a needs assessment for an EHC Plan
• as part of the review process for an EHC Plan
• by contacting the EHC Team at any time to share information you want to be considered by the Panel (once informed that the plan is being taken to Placement Panel)

Frequency of meetings

The Panel meets on a weekly basis and is on Microsoft Teams.

What happens after the meeting?

Following the Panel meeting, the Case Work Officer will share the decision with you. For example, this could be via email or a telephone call. This will happen within three working days of the meeting.

If you disagree with the decision made by the Panel or require further information about what was discussed, please speak with your Case Work Officer in the first instance, who will provide advice on the next steps.