Special education needs and disability 
The special educational needs and disability review
A statement is not enough
This review was commissioned to evaluate how well the legislative framework and arrangements served children and young people who had special educational needs and/or disabilities. It considered the early years, compulsory education, education from 16 to 19, and the contribution of social care and health services.
Age group: 0–19
Published: September 2010
Reference no: 090221
Contents
Executive summary 3
Key findings 3
Outcomes 3
Assessment and identification 3
Access to and quality of provision 3
Evaluation and accountability 3
Recommendations 3
Assessment and identification 3
Access to and quality of provision 3
Evaluation and accountability 3
Context 3
Undertaking the review 3
Assessment and identification 3
Appropriateness of ‘identification’ 3
Expertise 3
The drivers for formal assessment 3
Timeliness 3
Access to and quality of provision 3
Links between identification and access to provision 3
Organisation of provision 3
Transition 3
Teaching and learning 3
Outcomes 3
Academic progress 3
Progress in other areas 3
Participation in events and other activities 3
Relationships 3
Monitoring, evaluating and recording progress 3
Accountability 3
Accountability across services and the national indicators 3
Outcomes versus provision 3
Evaluation and the Code of Practice 3
Accountability through inspection 3
Young people, parents and carers 3
Conclusion 3
Notes 3
Further information 3
Publications by Ofsted 3
Other publications 3
Acts of Parliament 3
Annex A: Defining special educational needs and disability 3
Annex B: Contextual data 3
Annex C: Historical context – legislation and guidance 3
Annex D: Local authority areas and providers visited 3
Annex E: Focus groups, meetings and other contributions 3
Executive summary
Just over one in five pupils – 1.7 million school-age children in England – are identified as having special educational needs. Pupils with special educational needs are
A statement is not enough
This review was commissioned to evaluate how well the legislative framework and arrangements served children and young people who had special educational needs and/or disabilities. It considered the early years, compulsory education, education from 16 to 19, and the contribution of social care and health services.
Age group: 0–19
Published: September 2010
Reference no: 090221
Contents
Executive summary 3
Key findings 3
Outcomes 3
Assessment and identification 3
Access to and quality of provision 3
Evaluation and accountability 3
Recommendations 3
Assessment and identification 3
Access to and quality of provision 3
Evaluation and accountability 3
Context 3
Undertaking the review 3
Assessment and identification 3
Appropriateness of ‘identification’ 3
Expertise 3
The drivers for formal assessment 3
Timeliness 3
Access to and quality of provision 3
Links between identification and access to provision 3
Organisation of provision 3
Transition 3
Teaching and learning 3
Outcomes 3
Academic progress 3
Progress in other areas 3
Participation in events and other activities 3
Relationships 3
Monitoring, evaluating and recording progress 3
Accountability 3
Accountability across services and the national indicators 3
Outcomes versus provision 3
Evaluation and the Code of Practice 3
Accountability through inspection 3
Young people, parents and carers 3
Conclusion 3
Notes 3
Further information 3
Publications by Ofsted 3
Other publications 3
Acts of Parliament 3
Annex A: Defining special educational needs and disability 3
Annex B: Contextual data 3
Annex C: Historical context – legislation and guidance 3
Annex D: Local authority areas and providers visited 3
Annex E: Focus groups, meetings and other contributions 3
Executive summary
Just over one in five pupils – 1.7 million school-age children in England – are identified as having special educational needs. Pupils with special educational needs are