Statement process what to do and when

[Skylar123]

I'm in a bit of a middle on what to do and when with regards to getting indi profs to help with Ds.
We are currently going through SA and I am expecting to hear decision end of this month. So we will with get a NIL or a proposed statement, either way it is a given we will be appealing either content or NIL.
I have a good indi EP lined up for middle of May and I am considering getting a good indi salt assessment of higher language skills.
I am confused about what happens and when. Can I use both of these assessments/reports for appealing either NIl or proposed statement , does it matter that neither assessment has been done before SA outcome has been decided. Is it ok to use evidence of difficulty as per both indi assessments for this purpose even if it was not given to LA before they made their decision as to whether it not Ds needed a statment or what the statment should entail?
I hope this makes sense.

[ToniQueensPark]

you should defo submit one or two decent assessments as soon as possible before the LA they make their decision because it supports your case and you do want them to grant the statement, once you have your draft statement you will be able to tell when the holes are in it and work out what you need further evidence of - is that what you mean?

[Skylar123]

Thanks toni I won't have my reports before the LA decide NIL or do a draft statement so I am a bit Lost.
The EP I want can't see until May and I am expecting salt to be the same but possibly sooner. LA will make decision end of April.
Initially I assumed LA would refuse SA but they didn't so these assessments / reports would have been used for refusal to assess tribunal which date wise would have worked out fine.
Saying that though, let's say Ds gets a draft statement can I not use the indi reports to show Ds requires more than draft statement is proposing and if they issue a NIL can I use reports to show why a NIl is not appropriate and statement is required

[Skylar123]

Can the La dispute what's in indi reports when we appeal the nil or draft statement due to them not having even seen them earlier?
La do have a indi EP report that they are supposedly using for their assessments but it is dated back to April last year they have said they wot be doing an assessment of their own

[ToniQueensPark]

hi there, are you accessing any services from the LA at the moment? OT or Salt support, anything else? as long as everyone involved with your DS has submitted reports that point to the need for a Statement then you should get one. Its just a pain to go thru the assessment and get a NIL so you obvs want to avoid that at all costs. No, LA can't dispute your indi reports. LA using a report from April last year is questionable but not surprising, but easy for you to prove invalid so is a ball in your court...

[Skylar123]

Ds has been discharged from nhs salt recently there looks to be no concerns in their report . I feel they have not assessed his higher level language skills. They have noted that he presents atypical social skills and has limited understanding abstract concepts and inference skills.everything else is in average range (which is good)
Nhs OT is booked for next week.
Well I will just wait and see what the LA decision is and get the EP assessment done in May either way. Thanks toni

[ToniQueensPark]

Hi there, well if the OT assessment throws up anything to support your statement request, write to your LA immediately after the OT session and request that they delay their decision until they have received the OT report from you and obvs let OT therapist know you need her to write it up pronto. Good luck