Do LA EPs normally recommend either MS or SS?

[messmonster]

Just seen on another thread that an EP has made a recommendation to a fellow MNer that her DD would be better served by a SS school (sorry am paraphrasing so hope I've got that right).

When my DD last saw her EP the report explicitly stated that we had requested it to help inform the decision-making about school placement for DD. It then went on the make a load of observations (all accurate) but no recommendations at all

When I challenged this and asked the EP to stick her neck out, she said that as EPs they "can't make a recommendation about a specific type of provision". She did then specifically agree with my suggestion that either SS or MS could be suitable but obviously only with the right amount of support.

I am agonising over this decision and can't seem to find anyone to guide me. I know what I think with my heart but head all over the place (and sorry I have posted about this before)

[messmonster]

Just realised my thread title asks a completely different Q to what I wanted to know! My Q is, do LA EPs normally make a recommendation of the type of provision they think most suitable for the child?

[chocjunkie]

It was my thread
EP only said he cannot recommend a specific school, only the school type.

[squidworth]

The lea's in general like to give the impression of parental choice but certain children will only be suited to SS and some to MS there will always be those who would suit either, some parents agonise over the choice that in theory the lea would not agree without a fight. The ed EP will vary as will the lea and although she may not directly suggest a type of school her wording in the report will. My youngest DS statement was written for a SS so although technically I had parental choice a MS could not comply with the statement the same as statement written for MS or unit etc.

[messmonster]

Thanks both. Interesting Chocjunkie that he felt able to recommend type of provision - my EP would not commit at all but then maybe my DD is one of the either/or cases.

I'm about to post on your thread too

[ANiceCupofTeaandASitDown]

Think it was me who answered on chocjunkie original thread. My DD saw the LEA EP in September and she did recommend in her report and during the meeting we had with her afterwards that DD would benefit from going to an 'Observational and Assessment Unit' within another school. DD has severe s&l delay and some ASD traits tho no dx. She did say the choice was up to us but given the difficulties DD is having at MS school it was a bit of a 'no-brainer' for me and DH. The ability of the EP to advise on this probably varies massively from LEA to LEA though, as with many other things!!

[Lougle]

The provisional statement can't direct the parents to a Special School placement, because the parents have choice. However, the wording can steer you to their conclusion.

DD1's statement said something along the lines of 'DD1 will be educated in a school with a high staff:pupil ratio, with staff who are experienced in dealing with children with complex needs.'

My first thought was 'how will they control who applies for her TA job????' Then I realised that they were inferring special school.

The EP isn't allowed to say 'special school' because they don't provide the provision, and the LA will cane them if they give parents expectations that the LA can't/won't meet, and in a tribunal situation, an EP report saying 'needs special school' would have the LA over a barrel.

[messmonster]

Thanks Lougle and NiceTea. I've re-read her report and can't see her leading us down any particular path tbh. I can see better now why she wouldn't be "allowed" to make a specific recommendation and tie the LEA's hands. Current statement provides for a dual placement so do think perhaps DD is an either or case although her statement says she has SLD

[ANiceCupofTeaandASitDown]

I just wanted to make sure I was not filling in the gaps for myself from what EP told us, so just looked at the report and under Conclusions & Summary she has written 'I would recommend that the LEA consider DD for an observation and assessment unit placement to allow further investigations to be undertaken.' She highlighted that DD has specific difficulties in the areas of Speech, Language and Communication. As i said tho, Im sure that this varies from LEA to LEA as my SIL works for a different county and is often surprised by the differences.

[Flamingredhead]

ds3 was written with a speech unit in mine and hell it was almost naming it as it stated ds needs a unit where staff and dc regulary use signing to support speech all staff need to be compent signers and the all wa sunderlined .also talked that he need to be in a class of no more than 10 etc

[messmonster]

That was fairly clear then Flamingredhead Were you happy with your DS attending the unit?

My DD would need competent signers too but she's not eligible for our county's S&L units because she has GDD and therefore delayed speech and the units only take DC with disordered speech

Think because my DD hasn't started school yet it's not clear-cut whether she will be OK in MS - although she copes with a MS nursery at present albeit way way behinds her peers developmentally.

[Lougle]

It's a very individual decision, and you will find polarised views on this board.

I am of the view that I wanted my DD to thrive, not just survive, and that for her the way to do that is to restrict her environment so that she can be free within it.

Other people want for their child to socialise with their local peers, and learn to adapt to a typical environment.

No right or wrong, just the right thing for your child [smile
]

[silverfrog]

our LA EP did recommend SS.

he observed dd1 at her SN nursery, and in the meeting afterwards said "she needs an ASD specific SN school", and in fairness did write that in his report.

I think it was because we were aiming for an independent SN school, so more expensive than a state SN school place, and he knew (as did the LA) that no way woudl we take MS for dd1.

but it can happen, and EPs can make recommendations as to the type of provision.

[Flamingredhead]

Mess monster ds3 has Gdd delayed undetstanding and Pd to bit since they said speech was primary need was what they had to address first

[messmonster]

Thanks everyone for your replies. It looks like it's a variable picture and predominantly governed by what provision is available locally and what will be acceptable to the LEA rather than what the EP genuinely thinks would be best for the child. Thanks PipinJo for the suggestion to put a specific school to the EP for an opinion.