A special education needs statement is issued by an adjudicating team at a public psychological-pedagogical counselling centre. It helps a preschool or school plan support for a child, including an individual education and therapy programme, revalidation classes, and exam adjustments where needed. We explain how to prepare the application, what the deadlines are, and what to do after a refusal.
The WWR opinion and the statement are different documents
An opinion on the need for early developmental support and a special education needs statement can concern the same child, but they trigger different forms of support. The opinion covers the period from the identification of a disability until the child starts school. The statement concerns education at preschool and school and the support needed by the pupil.
Read more about the first document and its procedure in our article on the early developmental support opinion. A child can hold both an opinion and a statement at the same time. One does not cancel the other.
What does the statement make possible?
The statement is the basis for planning education and psychological-pedagogical support at the child's preschool or school. The exact actions depend on the child's needs and the recommendations written in the document.
- an individual education and therapy programme (IPET), which sets out the goals, forms, and scope of support,
- revalidation classes when the document identifies this need,
- adjusted learning and exam conditions based on the child's individual needs and the applicable rules,
- specialist support, with its scope arranged by the school or preschool from the document and the child's identified needs.
A statement is not a therapy diagnosis
Who can obtain a statement?
The statement concerns a child or pupil who, under the applicable rules, needs special education because of a disability, social maladjustment, or a risk of social maladjustment. The adjudicating team assesses the child's documentation and situation, not the diagnosis name alone. Having one opinion or certificate therefore does not by itself decide whether this document will be issued.
A parent or legal guardian submits the application. It is useful to attach existing medical, psychological, educational, and speech-therapy records, as well as information from the preschool or school. The counselling centre may request more assessments or information if the material is not enough to assess the child's needs.
How to apply for a statement
- Find the right counselling centre. Check which public psychological-pedagogical counselling centre accepts applications for your child. In Gdańsk, this can depend on the preschool or school the child attends, or on the place of residence when the child does not attend one yet.
- Prepare the application and records. Describe how the child functions at home and in the educational setting. Attach the records you have, but do not wait for a document the centre does not require in every case.
- Submit the documents. A parent or legal guardian submits the application. The centre will explain the next steps, and the team may invite the child and parent for an assessment or conversation.
- Receive the statement and give it to the school. After it is issued, the statement is delivered to the applicant. The parent then gives it to the preschool or school so the institution can plan support.
How long does the process take?
The team generally issues the statement within 30 days of the application. If an additional assessment or documentation is needed, the rules set out how the rest of the procedure continues. After issue, the document is delivered to the applicant within 7 days. These deadlines apply to the centre's actions. They do not guarantee that a statement will be issued and do not replace checking the current process at the relevant centre.
Keep the dates
What if the counselling centre refuses?
You can appeal a statement to the education superintendent through the team that issued it. The appeal must be submitted within 14 days of delivery. Explain what you disagree with and attach documents that clarify the child's needs.
The issuing team can withdraw the challenged decision and issue a new one itself. If it does not, the superintendent decides the appeal within 21 days of receiving it. If the superintendent requests a specialist opinion, the deadline is 14 days from receiving that opinion.
This route applies to a statement, not to an opinion on the need for early developmental support. A refusal of that opinion does not use the same appeal to the superintendent. A parent can submit a new application with more documentation.
How StacjaMowa can help after the statement
StacjaMowa does not issue statements and cannot speed up the counselling centre's process. We can provide therapy that the statement or the child's support plan identifies as needed. Depending on the child's needs, this can include pedagogical therapy. We have clinics in Ujeścisko, Gdańsk and Morena, Gdańsk.
If you want to prepare for a conversation with a specialist, read our article on preparing for a speech assessment.
Key takeaways
- A statement is issued by an adjudicating team at a public psychological-pedagogical counselling centre.
- A statement and an early developmental support opinion are different documents, and a child can hold both.
- Attach the records you have and describe how the child functions at home and in the educational setting.
- Issue generally takes up to 30 days, and delivery takes place within 7 days of issue.
- An appeal is submitted through the issuing team to the education superintendent within 14 days of delivery.
Sources
This article is for information only. It does not replace individual legal advice or contact with the relevant counselling centre. Rules and procedures can change, so check current information with the centre before applying.
- Regulation of the Minister of Education of 2 March 2026 on statements and opinions issued by adjudicating teams at public psychological-pedagogical counselling centres (Dz.U. 2026 item 428).
- The Education Law of 14 December 2016 in the official ISAP legal database.
- Ministry of Education, information on early developmental support and the opinion issued by the counselling centre.
Want to learn more about therapy options?
Learn more about this therapyFrequently asked questions
- Who issues a special education needs statement?
- An adjudicating team at a public psychological-pedagogical counselling centre issues the statement. A private counselling centre or therapy clinic cannot issue this document.
- Can a child hold both an early support opinion and a statement?
- Yes. An early developmental support opinion and a special education needs statement concern different forms of support, so a child can use both documents at the same time.
- What documents should I attach to the application?
- Attach the records you already have that describe the child's functioning and needs, such as medical, psychological, educational, speech-therapy, and preschool or school records. The counselling centre may ask for more assessments or information.
- How long does it take to receive a statement?
- The team generally issues the statement within 30 days of the application. After issue, it is delivered to the applicant within 7 days. An additional assessment or documentation can affect how the process continues.
- How do I appeal a refusal to issue a statement?
- Submit an appeal to the education superintendent through the team that issued the statement, within 14 days of delivery. The issuing team can issue a new decision itself; otherwise the superintendent considers the appeal.
- Does StacjaMowa issue special education needs statements?
- No. Only a team at a public psychological-pedagogical counselling centre issues statements. StacjaMowa can provide therapy identified as needed by the statement or the child's support plan.
