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Dear Parent/Carer

Lewisham SEND Banding Descriptors Guidance

You may already be aware of the work that has been undertaken over the past year in relation to the development of a universal banding system for all Lewisham schools. I am pleased to inform you that in conjunction with the revised banding system implemented in April 2018 the LA in partnership with Lewisham and Greenwich NHS Trust have put together guidance for parents a copy is attached as a PDF.

The SEND Banding Descriptors sets out Lewisham local authority expectations for a graduated approach to provision for children and young people with special educational needs. The guidance includes the criteria for considering whether a child’s needs should be met from within the resources for children with additional needs, and/or whether the Local Authority (LA) should undertake a statutory Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.

The guidance also provides examples of activities, and reasonable adjustments that a school should make in order to provide evidence for an EHCNA, together with appropriate time periods.
It is important to note that this document should be used by a guide as well as reference to a process and procedure with different types of needs. However, this is not a checklist and this guidance is not exhaustive of all examples of needs.

Banding levels are determined by the SEND Panel and the decision is based on evidence provided by a range of professional agencies/services as part of the assessment process.

Lewisham recognises that parents/ carers are an integral part of children and young people’s lives and we hope to continue facilitating this joint collaboration moving forward in all future endeavours.

Yours sincerely

Ann Wallace