The ESP Panel includes the following: The Headteacher, ITSS; the Headteacher, Pendlebury Centre; the Headteacher, Taxal Centre; Education Officer (Pupils) - Chair; and representatives from - maintained secondary schools; the Education Psychology Service; the Education Welfare Service; the Advisory Service; Social Services Education Support Team.

The ESP Panel meets fortnightly on a Wednesday afternoon, usually at the Edgeley Centre.

All referrals should be made using the EDUCATION SUPPORT PLUS REFERRAL FORM" (Annex 1). The Referral Form gives details of the supporting information which is required. Comprehensive supporting information will assist the Panel with making appropriate and infomed decision and avoid delay.

Incomplete referrals will be returned without consideration by the ESP Panel.

The Admission Criteria for each of the Services gives further details of the types of information which will be required. In particular The EBD Criteria Referral Checklist (completed and signed by an Educational Psychologist) must be included, along with evidence of the Stage in the SEN Code of Practice which the pupil has reached.

Completed referral documents should be sent to:

Referrals will be acknowledged, by Fax, on receipt (Annex 2). Referrals received by 4.00 pm on Friday will be considered at the next Wednesday Panel meeting. Decisions will be Faxed by 4.00 pm on the Friday following the ESP Panel meeting (Annex 3 & 4).

Referrals will, in the main, come from the secondary school at which the pupil is on roll. Exceptionally, where a pupil is not on the roll of a school (e.g. removal into the area/placed by another Authority in an Independent Children's Home/ permanently excluded from school) the referral may be made by the Education Welfare Service/Education Psychology Service /an LEA Education Officer.

At all stages of the referral process it is the responsibility of the referrer to keep parents I informed of progress and outcomes.

With the exception of some aspects of ITSS, the services within the scope of the ESP Panel are not intended to provide for pupils who have a Statement of Special Educational Needs. Concerns about provision for these pupils should be addressed through the existing Statement Review procedures.

Where it is believed that a Formal Assessment of a pupil's special educational needs is required, i.e. placement in an EBD special school or other specialised provision at Stage 5 is indicated, a referral should be made to the SEN Panel in the usual way.

Occasionally, referrals to the SEN Panel for formal assessment may be re-referred from the SEN Panel to the ESP Panel. Where this is case every effort will be taken to avoid duplication of effort on the part of the referrer, but it may be necessary to seek additional information.

These arrangements come into effect from the beginning of the Autumn Term 1998.