A Council has been attacked for distributing "dangerously inaccurate and misleading" information about special educational needs.
A leaflet put out by the London Borough of Lewisham tells parents that "statements [are] no longer necessary". The Independent Panel for Special Education Advice has written to education secretary Alan Johnson to protest. The campaigners claim it will discourage parents from asking for their children to be assessed.
The panel's letter says: "Given the fact that there has been no change with regard to the authority's duty to assess children and produce statements when these are needed, it is wholly inaccurate and dangerously misleading to use the strap 'statements no longer necessary'."
But the South London council defended the leaflet and insisted it would continue to issue statements. A spokesman said: "This leaflet was designed to provide parents with a clear picture of how Lewisham is improving support. The statements system is still necessary and will remain so for some, but for many more this new approach will show huge benefits."
