Guidance for completing an Assistive Technology Equipment Panel Referral form

This guidance sheet has been written to support education settings to understand the ATEP (assistive technology equipment panel) processes for referrals. This will also help you in preparing evidence for a request for equipment. All referral forms must be completed fully and have a quotation attached form the supplier for the equipment that is being requested.

The ATEP process is for exceptional student need. It is the Local Authorities’ expectation that basic items that are considered as reasonable adjustments are funded by the education setting.

The assistive technology panel consists of Kent County Council practicing professionals; who hold the relevant qualifications, experience and knowledge of assistive technology and sensory impairment. The panel may seek additional information about the referral before a decision can be reached. This could include information from the education setting, professionals working with the student or from another appropriate service. ATEP Meetings are held once a month term time only.

Criteria:

All referrals must be for students whose responsible local authority is Kent.

The referral must be for equipment that is considered as more than a reasonable adjustment.

The student will have an EHCP (education healthcare plan) or provision plan.

Evidence of a range of options already tried to support the student’s learning.

Completing the referral form:

All forms should be completed fully and any incomplete forms will be returned to you to complete and re-submit. You must include any of the following information:

Last Annual Review

IEP’s/provision maps showing how technology has been used as part of a targeted approach and evaluated to show outcomes.

A copy of the EHCP (education health care plan) or provision plan.

Clear evidence of external agency involvement and advice that shows how technology can be used to support the student’s Special educational Needs. Your completed form needs to show that this advice has been implemented over a sustained period of time and evaluated.

From your evidence submitted the Panel needs to be able to clearly identify:

How a pupil has used technology and how this has been evaluated.

Advice that has been sought from external agencies and how this has been implemented and evaluated.

The progress that has been made using technology.

Appropriate advice and evidence of recommendations must be obtained from a qualified specialist who holds mandatory qualification in sensory impairment in the specific area the referral relates to. For example:

Hearing Impairment

Visual impairment

Multi-sensory impairment

Speech and language

The referral must include a quotation from the supplier clearly outlining the items being requested including any accessories required.

If the referral relates to a transfer of placement, the referral must include transfer plans and the referral needs to be made by the education setting receiving the student.

The Equipment:

The equipment is available for the student to use as intended and should be evaluated 1 year after issue, should the referral be accepted and annually every year after. We will write to you to remind you after the first 11 months.

The education setting is responsible for collecting from or returning the equipment to the Old Railway School, Ashford. Prior notice must be given before arrival for any returns or collections.

If the education setting is unable to collect the equipment, ATEP will accept collection by a courier which will be arranged by the education setting and at their expense.

Any equipment issued is on long term loan to the student for the time they remain in education and Kent is the responsible local authority. ATEP must be informed if the student transfers to another education setting.

The education setting will be responsible for setting up equipment. If equipment is required to be added to the IT network, E-Safety policies are followed.

The education setting will ensure the equipment is recorded on their insurance and understand they are responsible for the loss or damage of equipment on their premises.

The equipment is checked annually under the portable appliance testing (PAT) by the education setting.

Any repairs or faults required are reported back and arranged through the ATEP process.

Process diagram: