Sorry but its another school places question involving a SEN issue and I'm clueless.

[littleredsquirrel]

I have just found out that DNeice hasn't been given a school place for reception.

DSis applied for the school DNephew currently attends (and others) but he leaves this summer and so she doesn't get a sibling preference. She is within catchment.

Reason for the question is that DNeice (to me and I'm no expert) should probably have a SEN statement. She can talk but is very difficult to understand. DSis can understand what she is saying and so can my parents but its very difficult for anyone else to. I can't talk to her on the telephone and struggle face to face. Her speech is around the level of a 2 year old. She has coordination issues and behavioural issues and can be very difficult and aggressive for a four year old. She is five in September.

It was though initially that she might have hearing issues but this has been checked by the GP and apparently it isn't her hearing. DSis has subsequently buried her head in the sand over it.

How would DSis go about getting a SEN statement and would having this make a difference to DNeice getting a reception place? DSis is a single parent and cannot possibly homeschool since she works full time.

Apologies if I drip feed information but will have to check the facts with DM if anyone has questions. DSis is in a bad place at the moment and unable to deal with this.

[Navybluetutu]

I think firstly you need to get to the bottom of DN difficulties. Your GP would be the first port of call, who would then hopefully refer her on as appropriate. You may be better putting your post in Special needs children section, they will be able to point you in the right direction. Good luck

[mummytime]

Has your niece been offered any school? If she has this should be accepted.
Did your sister apply for only one school? Your niece needs to be placed on the waiting list of this and all schools your sister would like in preference to any school she has been given.
In about 2 weeks it is worth finding out where your niece is on the waiting lists. Getting in from a waiting list is possible, although if all the places have been taken by siblings it may be less likely.
The LA has an obligation to find your niece a reception place. If they haven't offered one now - they still have to fulfill this and if it is more than 2 miles away they need to provide transport.

As to an SEN statement - getting a statement is difficult and takes a lot of time. It would be extremely unlikely that a child is going to get one between now and September. If the only problem is to do with speech, it is very unlikely a child will get a statement at Reception, as most schools have a regular influx of children who need speech therapy. Is your niece receiving speech therapy? If not then this should be the top priority.
With her other issues she should probably be referred to a Paediatrician, but this can take some time - and will not automatically lead to a statement.

As your nephew is changing schools; I'm not sure if there are any other reasons why your sister is so set on this school.

[littleredsquirrel]

Phew, thank you that's really helpful. I have never dealt with the state school admissions system but had glanced at threads over the years talking about no place being available and thought it meant there were no spaces and she'd have to wait until someone moved out of the area.

DSis won't have mentioned any SN issues on the application since she's burying her head in the sand about it and if anyone mentions it she has always simply said school will identify it if there's a problem. It sounds like it will be better to encourage her to have DN assessed properly prior to starting school in case there's a particular school that is better for her.

[littleredsquirrel]

No its not this particular school mummy time, its any school. No place offered. The town isn't particularly large and so there are only a few primary schools in the area anyway.

I don't personally think the issue is only speech. There are a lot of developmental issues, lack of ability to do anything alone, lack of focus, aggression, lack of coordination and fine motor skills. It may of course be that some of these issues arise out of the frustration with the speech. I don't know.

Its very evident now to me since my other niece (different sister) is 18 months younger and is far more advanced in terms of development. She seem like the older child by a couple of years when in fact she's nearly 18 months younger. I do appreciate all children develop at different rates though.

[littleredsquirrel]

She's not receiving speech therapy.

[MostWicked]

Does she have any other significant difficulties other than speech? As Mummytime says, it is incredibly unlikely that she would get a statement with just a S&L delay. It doesn't sound like she is even in a position to apply for a statement to be honest. They will turn her down flat if she has insufficient supporting evidence. And the timescale for application is far too long for it to make any difference for September.

Is she currently in Nursery? Is she getting any additional support there?

In order to apply for a specific school based on having special needs, you have to be able to show why THAT specific school is the one that she needs to attend. If it is just because her parents prefer it, then she doesn't stand a chance.

Did mum only name that 1 school or did she put down other options. The LA do have to find her a school, she cannot be forced to home school, but unfortunately, she won't get a lot of choice if the more popular schools have been filled.

[mummytime]

Well the LA does have to offer her a school. They may be negotiating for a bulge class in a school. If it is a handful of children, then the LA may force schools to take them, if more then a bulge class. I would suggest reading the local paper, which often gets a heads up on what the situation is like. Are there any villages locally with schools that might have places?

I wouldn't worry too much at present - hopefully you and your DM are monitoring the situation. Do encourage your sister to come on here, maybe look at the special needs boards, people are very friendly and very "normal".

Finally, are you sure your sister did actually apply? It does sound a little as if your sister is also struggling.

[MostWicked]

Sorry, I was slow to post that and you have answered some of it already!

Your DSis needs to get her checked. Her HV or Children's Centre should be able to help her.
If she manages to sort a Reception place, the school should pick up her difficulties and probably talk to her about it, so that might give her the push she needs.

[Bilberry]

School placement and sen are separate issues at the moment as it is probably too late to link them (but may be relevant to a school move in future). From the sen perspective I would suggest your sister asks her GP to refer her to a paediatrician and get a developmental check done. Your dn also needs to be referred to a speech and language therapist - you can often self refer for this or the GP or hv can do it. Speech and coordination difficulties can be the result of conditions like dyspraxia but you would need the paed to assess for that. Behavioural issues may be part of a condition but could also arise from her difficulties with communication and resolve as her communication improves. Does her nursery have any concerns?

As far as statements are concerned - your sister can apply to be assessed for a statement herself but will probably get turned down. This will be nothing to do with your dn and everything to do with the fact that statements are being replaced in September. Don't let this stop you though! The special needs board can give more advice.

[littleredsquirrel]

I'm pretty sure she did apply since she was on the phone to my DM in tears yesterday.

I will try to encourage her to get DN checked. Its very difficult since it feels like we are being negative about DN. We are really not, its just that others can perhaps see more clearly issues that a mother might not (or might not want to admit to).

I will be very surprised if she doesn't have some SN issue (although as I've said I have no experience). I can't imagine how difficult it would be to be her teacher in a mainstream class without additional support. I'm pretty sure DSis does know really that there's an issue and is hoping it will just be dealt with at school.

And yes DSis is also struggling. Life is not being kind to her at the moment.

[Littlefish]

Is your niece currently at a nursery, or with a childminder?