In previous years we’ve undertaken a revised approach to consulting with settings over the summer break with consultations only being sent on a Monday, to support SENCOs and Headteachers with responding to consultations in a more coordinated way. This approach has been successful and we’ve received positive feedback from settings telling us this has been a more helpful and manageable way of consulting over the summer break.

As we prepare for the summer holidays we can confirm that all consultations will be sent to the settings SENCO and Headteacher every Monday through the summer break. With all 15 day deadlines starting on the date the email is sent. This will ensure the SENCO/Head Teacher will only need to check for consultations on a weekly basis rather than daily.

We have previously experienced some issues with who consultations are sent to due to some mailboxes not being monitored over the summer period. During the summer break, if you need the consultation to be sent to a different email address to the one that is currently used by the Statutory SEND Team, you’ll need to advise us of this by Friday 19th July 2024 by emailing SENDConsultations@somerset.gov.uk .

We recognise this approach may still pose difficulties for some settings, however, we are bound by the legislation and the need to comply with statutory timeframes.

As of the 1st September 2024 the Statutory SEND Team will revert back to the standard consultation process.