A leaflet put out by the London Borough of Lewisham tells parents that"statements (are) no longer necessary". The Independent Panel forSpecial Education Advice has written to education secretary Alan Johnsonto protest.
The campaigners claim it will discourage parents from asking for theirchildren to be assessed.
The panel's letter says: "Given the fact that there has been no changewith regard to the authority's duty to assess children and producestatements when these are needed, it is wholly inaccurate anddangerously misleading to use the strap 'statements no longernecessary'."
But the south London council defended the leaflet and insisted it wouldcontinue to issue statements. A spokesman said: "This leaflet wasdesigned to provide parents with a clear picture of how Lewisham isimproving support. The statements system is still necessary and willremain so for some, but for many more this new approach will show hugebenefits."
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