How can I tell the school . . . . . .

[sweetteamum]

. . . . . Who are helpful (or seemingly helpful) that I'd like to ask the lea for statutory assessment.

DS is 10 and in year 5. Not progressed for 2 school years (until I started questioning, that is) and is level 2c's. he has other issues like possible ADHD, dyspraxia, sensory difficulties and I think PDA traits. He's much worse at home and we have daily aggressive behaviour.

He's been on school action plus for over a year and the school are currently giving him 14 hours support each week. They are currently going through the procedure of asking the lea for additional funding for more support.

As they're seemingly helpful I just don't know if I should rock the boat and how on earth do I tell school I want this without offending anyone.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

If the school are already asking the LEA for more support on SA plus it shows that they cannot meet his needs as they stand. Also if he is behaving worse at home that can also be a further indicator that his additional needs are not being met at school.

I would write to the LEA and request the statement, pop the letter in the post then tell the school. You do not need anyone's permission to apply for a statement and to my mind they should have encouraged you to apply for same before now. It can take around 6 months for a statement to be set up anyway even if there are no hiccups along the way so time really is of the essence here.

[AgnesDiPesto]

Just tell them you think a statement may be needed at secondary and want to be in a position to have this in place so you can look at a range of options for year 7. I think most teachers would understand a child who may not reach level 3 by end of primary is going to struggle to be accommodated in the average secondary school lesson. Attila is right tho you don't need permission. If you wanted specialist secondary you would need to be in a position to have that named by next feb. getting a statement will take 6 months if it goes through easily and more than than if you have to appeal. So you need to start now to have any chance of getting it sorted by feb 2014.

[sweetteamum]

Thank you both very much.

It's the exact reason I'm thinking of now being the best time. He's only got year 6 to go, then he's got to cope with all the demands of high school. He struggles now when the teachers change and behaves even more inappropriately. I guess I just wanted verification that its the best thing to do.

The only thing that's put me off is my dd, 12, is currently at the proposed statement stage and its felt like forever!

[sweetteamum]

Well I've emailed and she's asked me to go in for a chat.

I'm no good in face to face meetings. Do you have any tips how to handle it?

[MadameSin]

Sweet you will get lots of advice on this. I'm going thru similar. Same school year, ADHD, little progress over last 2 years. I was mentioning statements 2 years ago but school never seemed that bothered. I asked for a behaviour support person to come in, via the SENCO, and give his teacher some advice etc .. once they were in we all met up and I mentioned the statement again .. she agreed - school were surprised. You need to be polite, tactful but firm. Tell school all your concerns and ask them to apply for an assessment for statement purposes. If they disagree, inform them you will be applying yourself as your sons education is your responsibility. Tell them you appreciate all they have done and even though he may not get more help in this school, you'd like him to have a statement to carry thru to senior school. It would help with your choice of school etc etc. You are able to apply independently of the school, but it would help if you had their backing. Just remember to try and stay calm and precise. It may help to take someone to the meeting with you for support.

[coff33pot]

Just go for it :) The main one looking out for your DS is you. When he leaves for seniors the last school have nothing to lose and they could well drag their heels wasting time if he is in his last year already.

If the school has asked for extra funding then they cant deny he needs extra support so stick with it.

Just express that whilst you appreciate everything they have put in motion for your DS a statement of needs is needed now to secure legally the support being given for his next school

You dont need permission just protocol telling them you are going to apply that is all x

[coff33pot]

Plus as a carrot to dangle you could say that you have heard that some schools have additional temporary funding whilst a statement is being assessed.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

In two years time you will not give a monkeys what these people think of you, but you'll regret not having done what you consider right by your ds.

In 5 years they probably won't remember his name, but he and you will be living with the fall out of him not having the appropriate provision.

Just picture yourself and him a few years down the line and that should give you the confidence you need. Well meaning or not, this isn't about them and it isn't their life chances at stake.

[sweetteamum]

You are all of course, right.

I will be firm but fair. I will insist that I am more than prepared to go it alone but really would prefer their support as they've been great up to now (which they have).

I hadn't realised schools got extra funding for children with statements going through. I am happy to use it though.

[coff33pot]

sweetteamum DS old school funded 15 hours themselves but the rest of his funding was given as an interim payment to boost his hours up to 25 hours 1 to 1 support. This definitely did happen between applying for a statement initially (school applied, I pushed) and DS actually having his statement finalised 10 months later. I THINK they had funding 3 months at a time but I cannot confirm that snippet :) Well worth bringing it up as it may mean he may get the extra support in the meantime too.

Sadly they never did act on the statement but that is another story

[sweetteamum]

It's something worth mentioning to her then. I know she's already spoke about ds in a planning meeting, so at least they'll be aware of him and know school want more support.

Thanks for that. It should be very useful.