useless SALT report

[cansu]

So I asked an independent SALT to assess dd. Was told they didn't do medico legal work. Thought this was OK as wasn't intending to bring SALT as witness at tribunal, just wanted an independent view of where she was at and the provision required. Well, report is pathetic. No detail. Very much a description of how dd is managed at school and some v broad description of her needs. No detail, no test results. In provision, lots of woolly stuff about what she might need depending on setting. When I spoke to SALT, I asked what would be recommended if I was asking her to provide therapy, she said weekly, but that she didnt know if she could put this in report as this was straying into medico legal work!! Surely this is simply giving a professional opinion?? I feel she is worried about pissing off LEA as they must get some work through LEA. I feel ripped off and that this is far from independent. Now have to find another SALT.

[Icimoi]

That does sound useless and verging on breach of contract. If you ask for a SALT assessment it's reasonable to expect actual assessment, and as for saying that she can't write down her recommendations, that is just nonsense.

I suggest you try Myra Pontac, Juanita Hurley or Lesley Wood.

[adrianna22]

Please contact Juanita Hurley! She is excellent.

[Handywoman]

That's shocking, cansu

I hope you haven't paid her!

[2boysnamedR]

That's very weird even my non tribunal slt assessed formly and was very direct on his level of need. When the LA challenged her she emailed strongly back

[2boysnamedR]

Can you say that you asked for a assessment not a observation and want a refund or part refund as you know have to pay again for a formal assessment?

[speechmum]

Useless! - they should absolutely provide professional opinion and recommendations for intervention. Sounds like they are not very experienced.
I am a SLT and a Mum would be happy to support you with this.

I'm on mat leave at the moment so have some time on my hands! feel free to get in touch with me through my website mable.co.uk/

[cansu]

Thank you all. I haven't paid yet, but will have to I think. I am now in position of needing to get another assessment done. I am going to hopefully be using Fiona S for appeal, but she isn't available until later in Summer so can't ask her advice on who to use or what to do. How long does it usually take from putting in appeal to hearing? I am unsure whether to wait until Sept now. I am having difficulty getting a SALT locally who is either prepared to assess a medico legal case or who has relevant qualifications. It is a total nightmare and I am spending money we don't have like water at the moment. Am so fed up. Thank you for kind offer speech mum, I may take you up on it.

[adrianna22]

cansu Please contact Juanita Hurley, I have used her for Tribunal and she is superb, really, one of the best speech and language therapist I've come across. She immediately recognised DS difficulties and is an excellent witness in tribunal.

It usually take 6 months. I think most independent specialists don't work in the summer period. I don't blame them, they need that break with all those lengthy reports they write up and etc.

[2boysnamedR]

Yes I have read one of JH reports. She's good

[chocnomorechoc]

honestly cansu, I would not pay for that if you asked for an assessment and did not get it. I would certainly take her up on this. that is pretty much a breach of contract.

[cansu]

Thank you. I will contact Juanita. Will she travel do you think? Everyone round here seems to shy away from tribunal work. It is pretty pathetic to be an independent and yet worried about speaking honestly!

[adrianna22]

Whereabouts are you? In sure she will, but may charge extra... I'm not sure you'll have to ask her

[2boysnamedR]

Yes she travels a fair way out of London.