The role of the Local Authority is to ensure that individual children's needs, including those of pre-school children, are identified quickly and accurately and matched with appropriate provision. We undertake statutory assessments and review and regularly monitor statements of individual need. We deliver high quality support services, including Educational Psychology, Specialist Teaching and Advisory Services. We work closely with other agencies, including health and social care, to ensure that children with complex medical, emotional and behavioural needs and their families receive child-centred and holistic support.

Where Local Authority schools are not in a position to meet individual needs, we place pupils in non-maintained and independent special schools. We plan school provision in such a way as to promote inclusion of pupils with special educational needs. We advise parents on the provision available to meet children's special educational needs, promote partnership with parents and represent the Local Authority at hearings of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal.