25 June 2009
35.Section 7 inserts section 8A into the 2004 Act to extend the rights of parents of children with additional support needs and young people with additional support needs to enable them to request a specific assessment, such as an educational, psychological or medical assessment, at any time.
36.Education authorities are required to comply with the assessment request unless the request is unreasonable.
37.The process of assessment or examination will be carried out by such person as the education authority consider appropriate. Education authorities are not required to arrange for examinations or assessments to be carried out by named individuals or organisations requested by the parent or young person.
38.Authorities must take into account the results of the assessment or examination when considering the additional support needs of the child or young person and the adequacy of the additional support provided.