Moving areas and SN provision - advice please!

[heartinthecountry]

It looks as though we are going to be moving in the next 6-12 months. Dh's work has moved even further away and it's just not a reasonable commute so I think we are going to be upping sticks to the country.

I have started looking on the internet to try and find out what sort of SN provision there is down there (Winchester/Andover area) but does anyone have any experience or know someone who does?

Also, can anyone advise on how easy it is to transfer services? E.g dd currently gets Physio, SALT etc. If we move down there will she have to go on waiting lists again? Or can I get her on to waiting lists before we move? And what happens with statements? I am hoping she will be statemented in the next 6 months - so is that then transferable to another LEA? Or would it have to be done all over again?

Any advice/experience gratefully received.

[dizzyone]

My dd3 attends a special needs school near Winchester which caters for children from mild to severe learning difficulties. There is also a very good Portage service in the area and a couple of special needs nurseries in the area. There are also several schools that have language units atttached. What age is your child?

[lou33]

I'm down near guildford, borough of waverley, and the services for sn children are fantastic. We transferred from Luton to here, and it was easy enough,and although we did have to go on waiting lists we didn't wait long. Ds wasn't statemented when we moved, but afaik it is transferable, and would be reviewed when the review came up.

[heartinthecountry]

Thanks both. dizzyone - dd is 2 so I would be looking for a nursery (prob SN) and as it is likely to be a long-term move I am interested in what the schools are like. Also physio and SALT v.important - she is making such good progress at the moment that I really wouldn't want there to be a break in her therapies. Would you mind if I CAT you to pick your brains a bit?

[dizzyone]

dd3 9 now, so I dont know much about services for younger children, but would be able to give you contact number for Portage if that would help and they would probably be able to help with contacts for other services. dd3 school was last year extended and modernised and now has hydrotheropy pool with sensory lights, soft play area and also a SALT and a physio, although i think the physio is only available for the infants. Please feel free to contact me but be warned, I am very new to computers and not sure if I have mastered the art of e-mails and the like but I would certainly help if I can.

[fio2]

aww HITC you are def moving then?

dh got that other job btw, so it looks like we are definately moving too!!!!

As you know I have moved and I was hopeless at finding out what was what! so no help from me. Do you want me to send you one of my really long and boring e-mails tommorrow?

we will have to organise another lunch out again, pref not with potato peelings for main course

[heartinthecountry]

Hey you are back to being fio2!

Yes, we are almost definitely moving, though not sure how soon. As soon as I get my arse in gear probably .

well done to your dh for getting the job - assume it was the one in W? Are you okay about moving?

yes - email me tomorrow if you get a chance. How is half term so far?

[Davros]

HITC, I believe that a statement MUST be honoured when you move from one borough to another, although obviously they can't name the same school if one is named. However, they can call a review after 3 months but its hard to undo a statement without a lot of evidence. How exciting, you won't have moved before Nov 12th will you? I hope you're coming, I can't remember...

[heartinthecountry]

Thanks Davros - thought that was probably the case. Yes, I am coming on the 12th and won't have moved - but with luck will have done before 12th Nov 2005!

Do you think I should tell our Ed Psych that we are prob moving? I'm thinking she may be more likely to recommend dd gets lots and lots of lovely therapy support if her LEA wouldn't be funding it - or is that wishful thinking?

[dizzyone]

Heartinthecountry, I am unable to sign into msn to read or send e-mails and am having problems with computer, which I am told are due to some sort of non harmful virus. A computer friend of mind is hopefully going to sort this but not until next week. Just wanted to let you know as I'm not sure if you have CAT me or not and didnt want you thinking I was ignoring you. Post on mumsnet if you want, although my internet connect is very hit and miss at the moment, if you are looking for any answers you need now and I hope to be able to help you

[heartinthecountry]

Thanks dizzy - there is probably nothing urgent. I suppose I'm most interested in what you may know about various SN schools or if you have any experience of mainstream with support. But it can wait.

Hope you get your computer probs sorted soon.

[dizzyone]

I have just been clearing a cupboard and have found a brochure called Pinpoint from Hampshire County Council. It lists all sorts of info from toy libraries to holiday schemes, support groups and education and more. I'm not sure how far into Hampshire you were thinking of moving to so some of this may not be of interest to you, however, there is a phone number 01962 847728 which says it will send further copies of Pinpoint. My one is dated 2002 but I'm sure they still send them out, hth.

[dizzyone]

Forgot to add that Pinpoint is a guide to services for children with special needs only.