Anyone done the IPSEA online training?

[fairgame]

Is it worth the cost?

DS still has a statement but he will have to move onto a ECHP next year and i want to be prepared and better informed than the LA so they can't screw me over.
Is the training any good or would it be just as effective to read the new SENCOP?

[fairgame]

bump

[bjkmummy]

I know someone who is going to do it so was going to wait to see what she says once she has done it.

[ouryve]

I've been considering it. I muddled through and got DS1 his indie specialist place, but DS2 has his secondary transition review in a year's time (currently year 4) and it's actually going to be harder to select and argue for an appropriate placement, as there's more choices of just might be almost adequate for him. Plus I need to get my head around all the new stuff before DS1 is transferred in Spring, next year. He's Y6, but the LA forgot to put him on their list, so weren't prepared for his statement review, last month.

So guess what one of my New Year projects is going to be?

[ScaredButExcitedToo]

Am a regular on here - usual NN has something in common with the Man Who Fell to Earth (please don't out me)

Have just started Part 1 of my IPSEA training to become a tribunal rep. Have spent the evening going through the first module - it does look good and very thorough with thought-provoking multiple choice questions to ensure you have a thorough understanding of SEN law.

A lot of online resources - including full law, statutory regulations and guidance notes. So a tremendous amount of reading and digesting.

I think the modules the reps go through are similar (if not the same?) as the modules parents would take. If this is true, then it'll give you excellent grounding to be able to fight for your dc.

There is a tremendous amount of information there but I recognise a lot of it from my own battles with my LA. So you wouldn't be going into doing the modules blind from a standing start - you'd have your own experiences to draw upon. If I was going in cold, it would floor me but as I've spent the last few years reading in minute detail the Ed Act and SEN CoP (and Mumsnet!), I'm going in with the mentality that it can't be too hard to understand! After all, at Tribunal, I understood all the laws and regs much much more than the LA did!

I have literally only started tonight, so maybe ask me again in a few weeks when I've got into the swing of it!

[fairgame]

They've got a sale on! 33% off so it's only £52 now, i'm definitely going to do it

[bjkmummy]

I got my elder sons draft EHCP today - what a load of rubbish is all I can say - thing is im stuck with it cos he has no up to date reports as such - they have done an EP report but wishy washy as usual - as its draft they haven't named the school in part 4 - he is in a special school and they said at the review that he was going no where but the form they've given you doesn't say that you need to name a school either so whether they are trying to slip it through cos the EP said when I saw him that they didn't have to name a school at all - ive checked the code of practice and they do but have a feeling they maybe trying to pull a fast one - so yes im also going to do the training as I got the email as well and it can be my xmas present to me

[fairgame]

Im dreading going onto the new plans. I'm putting some money aside for my own EP as well because there is no way that i will ever let the LA EP anywhere near my child.
They must think parents are stupid, the school named is the first thing we check for!
It says each unit should take approx 2 hours so even if you are short on time, if you do one a week it will be done in 10 weeks.

[sweetteamum]

I've just signed up for the online training course. It's still on offer for £52.

I figure it's well worth the money, to be able to support both my children with SEN

[fairgame]

I've done the first 2 modules and so far it's not too bad. The only down side is that you can't see your score after the module test so i don't know how i'm doing so far.
There is a lot of reading involved though!

[sweetteamum]

Eeeek- must remember I NEED to do this for both my children. That should get me through it.

[sweetteamum]

I'm struggling to take this in............

Does anyone have any ideas and suggestions that would help me

[ouryve]

There's an awful lot of sections and subsections, isn't there? I started on it, yesterday, and it was all one big amorphous blur until I opened the box of Liquorice Allsorts that DS1 had bought me for Christmas.

I found the first 2 modules quite quick. but the 3rd one is much longer, because there's a lot more associated reading. Got annoyed that it had logged me out, too, so had to go back and do the test again.

The discount stands until tomorrow, btw. www.ipsea.org.uk/contact/training/online-training

I went for the package with updates. Feel like a bit of a guinea pig as I have one boy transferring to EHCP in the Spring and another in the Autumn and I need to look for secondary placements for DS2, as his will be a transition review. DS1 made an early transition to a 9-19 school, so we're off the hook on that front for now. Just need to go through the process of the conversion, which was supposed to happen last term, but the LA forgot to put him on the list. Just as they forgot that DS2 was supposed to have an AR by November. Had to badger his SENCO for one.

[bjkmummy]

I've just signed up to do it as well, a belated Xmas to me for me. Will get this next tribunal in 2 weeks out if the way and then use the time I'm waiting for the result to do the training so try and keep my mind focused on other things

[ouryve]

Might as well get ahead before the next one in November, bjk (sincerely wish it was untrue enough to be funny)

[fairgame]

Im doing one module a week (well that's the plan anyway).
I feel a bit demotivated at the moment though. I posted some advice on here using my new found knowledge and everyone else that replied said the opposite. Either the training is crap or I'm thick. I've had dreadful advice off Ipsea in the past so I'm starting to worry.

[bjkmummy]

I think at the moment everything just seems to be so open to interpretation doesn't it and we are all struggling to get used to it. I had the same with a friend of mine (she is going to be a person writing EHCP for another LA as well) when I double checked she was wrong! so my instincts had been right. also means my LA are doing it wrong as well which means do I tell them (especially how they feel about me!) or just leave it well alone and let someone else deal with it

[ouryve]

That's why reading the actual documents is helpful, fairgame, though I found it difficult for module 4 because the references were all over the place and at least one of them appeared to have been wrongly numbered. Human error, but it's hard work sifting through it all for the right bit.

I'm saving all the pdfs, though, because they're a good guide to various sections and themes.

[ouryve]

Well, doing a couple of modules last night, seemingly coinciding with a windows update, overheated my laoptop and it conked out.

Am about to do another one and see if I get hot legs, again, after taking it apart and giving the fans and vents a blast with canned air. Thankfully, my lappy is still under warranty.

[CeliaLytton]

If you google your local offer, you should find the contact details for independent supporters in your area. These are people who are not working for or paid by the LA, who have had specific legal and procedural training on transition to EHCP and who can support you through the process.

This is one avenue you could take without having to commit the time and cost to taking the course yourself.

Also, read the SEND code of practice 0-25, has all the info you will need and very little jargon.

Good luck.

[bjkmummy]

my concern is how much training the parental supporters have had - my understanding was it was just an online course that they did - it will be a question I will be asking them at a meeting tomorrow

[CeliaLytton]

In my area independent supporters have done the equivalent of the IPSEA online training plus another online training course plus two days of face to face training with a specialist in the field.

They are free to use, so if you meet with one once and you don't find it useful, you don't have to see them again.

But yes, definitely worth finding out how much training they have had. Hope the meeting is productive.

[fairgame]

Completed it all with overall score of 90%!!
Wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be at all and i'm glad i've done it. I look forward to seeing DS's quantified and specified ECHP later this year

[sweetteamum]

Well done you. That's great.

I'm still finding it hard to take in, with everything going on in my life atm.

[fairgame]

Some of the modules are a much quicker than others. I planned to do one per week but i've managed to whizz through a few of the modules so finished much quicker. It's a blessing really as work have just put me on a training thingy and i have to do portfolios and assessments so at least i can just concentrate on that now.