Do school's normally support statement requests?

[reader108]

Apparently my Ds who has a diagnosis of Asperger's doesn't need a statement! He's 8 in year 4 he has the same reading level as he had at end of year 1! So 26 months same reading level! School refuse to admit they can't teach him despite this and lots more evidence. He has a private ed psych report to say average or above intelligence yet the gap between him and his peers is widening. He is on school action plus, but doesn't need a statement. Is this 'normal practise?

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Yup.

Schools won't support a statement application unless the child is a pita for them, and will cost over £10k to stop them from being a pita.

This is because they already have SEN money but when there is no statement there is no legal obligation to spend it on any one child, or indeed any child at all with SEN, which makes it available for a TA to take a support group of year 6s to coach them through their SATs.

If the provision the school needs the child to have (note my use of the words 'schools needs') costs more than £10k, then they have to fund the £10k but then get more from the LA through a statement. This may or may not be specified in such a way as to ensure your child gets it. Usually not.

So, it is in the school's interest, if they can contain your child, to claim able to meet needs from their own resources, so that they don't have to commit anything.

[reader108]

Thanks
I don't feel they know, or understand him, so long as he's quiet and behaves just left to it!
He's stressed at school returns VERY tense and anxious. He can learn but needs to be relaxed. Apparently his favourite words 'are but Mummy showed me like this' epecially maths his teacher DOESN'T like this one bit!!

[reader108]

Don't know why I'm posting same thing loads would get my tech guy{Ds} on it but thankfully for once he's in his OWNbed asleep

[tempe48]

School staff and LA officers often also have a bee in their bonnet about "equity" - ie they like to see all children getting the same provision.

Unfortunately, they see many children who have SEN but whose parents for a variety of reasons, cannot or don't know how to get them a statement. These teachers and LA officers then think it is unfair that some parents, who shout loudest get their child a statement and therefore a disproportionate amount of the SEN resources in their eyes. This may be one reason why schools do not bend over backwards to help parents get a statement for their child.

IMO, SEN children are entitled to the resources to put them on a level playing field with the NT peers - and some children need more resources than others, because their problems are more severe and their needs greater; and they are entitled to this in law.

[bjkmummy]

I was exactly in your position reader - what star says is totally true - I applied, was refused and appealed to tribunal - I won but then they issued a NIL so am appealing again - it can be a long hard battle to get one but I would say start now in year 4 as leaving it later and you could struggle to have anything in place by secondary

[WhoKnowsWhereTheSlimeGoes]

Also, if they did happen to believe the child needed a statement they are obliged to apply for one themselves, therefore they can't be seen to be supporting a parental application because they are effectively admitting they should have done it themselves and haven't.

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

Your son and your good self are being failed.

Your son needs a new school environment and more help in class. Some schools will completely and utterly refuse to help children, even if you did have an EHCP in place tomorrow they still would not want to help him.

I would look at IPSEAs website which is //www.ipsea.org.uk and get yourself further educated on EHCPs which have now replaced statements.

[Icimoi]

Have you applied for an EHC Needs Assessment anyway? I'm afraid it will be refused if the school doesn't support it, but the lack of progress is good evidence in your favour if you need to appeal. You could also contact sOS SEN, they run workshops about the assessment and tribunals process.

[reader108]

Many Thanks
Yeah I've applied and been refused appeal date mid Jan dreading it already! Seen witness called by LEA senco who is only filling in for other ones maternity leave til Dec. Been looking for advice everywhere I need a statement from school soon including present problems should be fun cause they say there aren't any!
Had a FAB HALF TERM really not looking forward to tommorrow

[Icimoi]

OP, you should definitely talk to SOS SEN tomorrow. Also look at their website and see if they have any workshops on preparing tribunal appeals coming up, I think you'd find it invaluable.

[bjkmummy]

well reader all I can say is that your story is similar to mine - LA called the senco and we had just us as parents and we won (with also a lot of help from people on here as well) so it can be done but can be hard going.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheSlimeGoes]

My LA conceded 6 weeks before tribunal (refusal to assess), on the basis of independent SALT and OT reports, have you submitted the EP assessment?

[reader108]

Yes all reports sent the EP assessment is nearly 3 years old I feel he's a totally different boy now.
I guessed they'd call the Senco, but it's the wrong one by mid Jan she'll be gone!!

[WhoKnowsWhereTheSlimeGoes]

IPSEA have a tribunal helpline, also videos of what to expect at tribunal on their website, it's worth a look and maybe ring them if you have quesyions that can't be answered from the website.