Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (Northern Ireland) 2016

Assessment of needs: reduction in time limits

6.—(1) In Article 15 of the 1996 Order (assessment of educational needs by Authority)—

(a) in paragraph (1)(d) for “twenty-nine days” substitute “22 days”;

(b) in paragraph (3)(a) after the words “paragraph (1) and” insert “, subject to paragraph (3A),”;

(c) after paragraph (3) insert—

“(3A) The Authority may proceed to make an assessment under paragraph (3) before the expiry of the period specified in the notice mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) of that paragraph if it has obtained the consent in writing of the person on whom the notice was served.”.

(2) In Article 20A of the 1996 Order (review or assessment of educational needs at request of responsible body)—

(a) in paragraph (4) for “29 days” substitute “22 days”;

(b) at the beginning of paragraph (5) insert “Subject to paragraph (5A),”;

(c) after paragraph (5) insert—

“(5A) The Authority may take a decision under paragraph (5) before the expiry of the specified period if it has obtained the consent in writing of the person on whom the notice under paragraph (3) was served.”.