How do I respond to this?

[Frogandbear]

Just received an answering message from the LA about DS' EHCP. They want to arrange a meeting for 6 weeks time to discuss what needs to go in his plan. This is great news - happy to go to meeting. HOWEVER, EHCP process is already past week 20 and to wait another 6 weeks to even discuss a first draft seems ridiculous and means that we may not get it finalised until well after Easter.

We need to phone them back to agree to date for meeting. How do I say yes to meeting but explain that the date they are proposing is too far away and this meeting really needs to happen in next two weeks. Won't they just say they don't have any dates available before then?

[FrayedHem]

Do you know why it's got so delayed? Will they have enough reports back to have the meeting sooner - has the EP assessed DS yet etc?

[vjg13]

It took over 40 weeks to obtain a final EHC plan for my daughter when her statement transferred. Seeing some of the postings on here, that is nothing like the record!

[youarenotkiddingme]

I LOVE that zzzzz

I think point out statutory timeframes and that meeting should be within next 2 weeks legally.
But be prepared for the fact 6 weeks behind is pretty far ahead in practice compared to most of England!

[Frogandbear]

Thanks everyone. Unfortunately that date is the only date that the educational psychologist is able to attend the meeting. Can't really argue with that can we

[Frogandbear]

ZZZZZ I don't know This will be the first time they've seen DS.

[Frogandbear]

Not that I'm aware. As far as we know this is the first time they will have seen DS. They said that an observation will be part of the meeting though.

[Frogandbear]

zzzzz No, he's 3.8 years and at preschool but will be starting school in September.

[youarenotkiddingme]

This sounds a bit arse about tit! Usually assessment is done, then then decide wether to issue or not and if they issue they produce a draft. The draft is produced using the reports gathered during assessment.

Look at section 9 of SENDCOP.

[Megatherium]

Tell them you want the statutory timescales to be met, and if that means they have to employ an independent educational psychologist, so be it.

[FrayedHem]

What week are you up to now? An EP was made miraculously available after I started quoted the various regs to as many LA SEN staff as I could find emails for. He did refuse to observe or assess DS1 though!