Why are statements so bloody hard to get nowadays???

[QueenEagle]

ds3 has probable selective mutism. Lots of reports in my file supporting this and also the need for him to have extra provision at playgroup. SALT has recommended he has a statement, as do playgroup.

However, when he starts school next Easter he is unlikely to be able to get a statement as the child has to be half their chronological age in all areas unless there is a specific speech disorder.

Right I understand that, ds is not behind with anything else developmetnally, only speech. But SM is a disorder but even so he won't get a statement because he is up on everything else.

Really infuriating, I can already sense that the CDC have made their minds up he will not fit the sriteria for one, so I am left worrying he will be expected to just muck in with the rest of the kids come next Easter.

[Blandmum]

I think this is some general 'policy' decision, somewhere. We are getting almost no children coming into y7 with a statement. But we are getting ever more numbers of children on school action plus coming to us. In the past lots of these children would have come to us with a statement.

We are now at the state where mosr of the children with a statement in y7 are similar in need to children who used to go to special school. Children on SA+ are in as much ned as children who used to get a stetement.

It is bloody awful!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

"he is unlikely to be able to get a statement as the child has to be half their chronological age in all areas unless there is a specific speech disorder".

IPSEA would like very much to hear about this LEA as this policy is illegal!!!. These LEA's don't half try it on, its all designed to put people like you off applying in the first place. Blanket policies like this are not allowed in law, the acid test is that if the school cannot meet the child's needs from their own budget then a statement should be issued regardless.

Would suggest you contact IPSEA as soon as possible to speak about your son's case. You need to apply for a statement as soon as possible. Also bear in mind that such a document can take six months to get issued.

www.ipsea.org.uk

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

LEA's cannot plead ignorance either.

The SEN and Disability Division of the DfES have now stepped in to advise all Chief Education Officers and Directors of Children's Services that they:

• must not operate blanket policies of refusing to assess particular groups of children who have special educational needs, but must consider children's needs individually and on their merits;
  
• must, in their Statements, specify the special educational provision necessary to meet the needs of the child concerned, detail appropriate provision to meet each need identified and normally quantify the provision.

[Thomcat]

They're bastard forms, so, so hard and then you get comments like that.

Infuriating.

Get onto IPSEA. Roll up those sleeves and get ready for battle to commence.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

I live in a county who has an appalling record regarding such things. They were not surprised to learn of our struggles to get our DS a statement (three refusals) but it was worth it in the end because they backed down and we got it for DS.

IPSEA are well worth talking to.

[QueenEagle]

ds2 had a statement in place ready for when he started school 7 years ago. He had a speech disorder/delay and had it for 3 years in total; he benfitted enormously from it imo.

Myself and playgroup are in agreement that ds3 is likely to regress seriously when he starts school. He has regressed to what he was about a year ago since returning to p/g after the long summer break. He will seriously struggle, everyone knows and acknowledges this.

But I am told a statemtn will be nigh impossible to get. Will an IEP be enough for him? I'm uncertaing whether to push for a staement. If I can be sure something will be in place, then I would be happier not to push for it.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

"But I am told a statement will be nigh impossible to get".
Children do get statements. Be persistant, its all designed to put people like you whose child needs help right off". Furthermore you don't actually know the truth of the above until you (note not the school) actually write and ask the LEA.

Will an IEP be enough for him?
In a word NO

"I'm uncertain whether to push for a staement. If I can be sure something will be in place, then I would be happier not to push for it".
A plan like School Action Plus may not actually be enough for your son at school. Such a plan as well is not legally binding (unlike a Statement which is) and any support on SAplus will fall a lot shorter than he would get if a Statement was in place. He will not get guaranteed one to one on SA plus.

I would urge you to apply for the Statement and not take a no response from the LEA for an answer. IPSEA is there for people like you!!!. I can think of a couple of recent examples on here where the LEA has said no only to back down at a later date.

[QueenEagle]

Atilla, thank you. Glad you persisited and got your ds sorted. How's he doing now?

What I can't understand is why on earth it is made so difficult? Funding yes I appreciate that but surely, surely the needs of the child come first? Or is there another reason(s)?

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Hi QE

He's doing fine in Junior School (he's now in year 3) thank you for asking. He now gets 7 1/2 hours per week on the Statement (one to one in class and small group work).

The whole thing to my mind is designed to put people off from applying. Some LEA's use blanket policies to exclude certain groups of children (such policies are illegal). They are very short termist in nature and do not see the larger picture. As martianbishop correctly said its some "policy" decision made somewhere.

I wish you well in applying for a Statement, I would certainly urge you to apply for such a document as a matter of course.

[Davros]

When DS got his statement there was no SN structure in special schools and I think that has a lot to answer for in delaying and withholding statements. Mind you, DS was only 3 when it came through and not at school or statutory age to attend school...... Maybe its better for children with "milder" issues but its much worse for those who really need statements.

[Davros]

Oh, I meant in mainstream schools.... typing on autopilot!

[onlyjoking9329]

push push push, my three all have a statement, i know too many parents who didn't push for a statement for there child and are now in the position where there child is due to transfer to comp where they will not be able to cope, i would always push for a statement you can drop the statement at any time.

[QueenEagle]

Yes was thinking that it's easier to get now before he starts school rather than after he has started.

Senior SALT is going in to his p/g to observe him at p/g's request. Then she will consider inviting him to attend a special language playgroup before he starts school so that he can be properly assessed in a p/g setting.

I have my fingers crossed that this happens as they will then see how he does not cope with adult interaction.