Draft statement is in....its crap

[5inthebed]

There is nowhere on it that says what school he is going to, what help he is going to get and how he is going to get it. It really is crap! It just says he would benefit from working in small groups. Erm, no, he needs 1--1 at all times.

Now I have to do section 4, and fill out a form which says I'm not happy with it. What do I put?

I want him to go to DS1's MS school and have the full 30 hours 1-2-1.

Help! Please!

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

It sounds like Parts 2 and 3 are completely wrong hence the poor statement.

It sounds extremely vague at best and illegal at worst (provision needs to be both specified and quantified). If provision is neither specific or quantified this is illegal.

If SALT is applicable for your son this should also be in part 2 as well as 3.

I would run parts 2 and 3 of the proposed Statement past someone like IPSEA and or SOS;SEN and get their opinion on this. They will tell you what it should say.

The school won't be named on the document as yet; this is usual for part 4. The parents usually names the school.

If you are looking at full support including lunchtimes you will have to fight long and hard to get this. Many LEA's don't like paying for lunchtime support due to cost.

[hereidrawtheline]

I dont know anything about statements but wanted to give you my sympathy! These things sound such a nightmare.

[vjg13]

I agree with Attila about having IPSEA or SOS:SEN look at it. There are some specialized legal firms too. Don't expect any valuble input from Parent Partnership even if they are independent from the LEA.

Small group working some of the time (if the number of additional kids is specified, and you agree) can work really well and is less intense than a one-to-one IME.

[5inthebed]

I've spoke to his EP, and she has said that I need to put down what I want for section 4, inluding any 1-2-1. Statement does state he is able to work in small groups.

I think I'll have to type down what it says, and see if anybody on here thinks its correct.

I have no idea about this, and feel like I'm drowning and won't get the help my Ds2 needs.

[siblingrivalry]

I don't know about statements, but I wanted to offer a bit of moral support. It's completely frustrating when we aren't listened to. I totally understand your concerns.
Good luck

[vjg13]

Try not to panic, try and get hold of IPSEA or SOS:SEN. Make some copies of the draft that you can send to them.

IME the statement needs to contain a really detailed description of the child in part 2, includind a worse case scenario of all possible difficulties. Then part 3 should be very detailed and specific in what support they should receive. LEAs put vague statements like 'access to SALT' which are meaningless.

See the draft statement just as a starting point to put changes into.

[Phoenix4725]

yep I rejected my lea first attempt hey came back with a second better offer and upped hours of support but have rejected the offer as it does not quantify the 1-1 or how big the groups are to be

[TotalChaos]

sorry you are being pissed around, hope that they agree your amendments, and as the other ladies say, Ipsea or SOS:SEN can support you with this.

[5inthebed]

Part 2 does describe my DS2, but have not read it in great depth so will read it better later.

If it is ok (and somebody doesnt mind reading it), I will type out part 3 later, as could really do with some advice about it!

[bubblagirl]

i'm on my 3rd re write i feel your pain my ds has atypical speech and they haven't even given speech therapy otr any 1-1 at all

i sent back saying was all very vague and they re wrote it still very vague but with few more hours and small group only or individual again no 1-1

so sent back again and awaiting another re write

[vjg13]

I can compare it with my daughter's part 3 which we are happy with if that helps.

[hereidrawtheline]

god they dont make it easy do they

I know this must sound very naive, but when a child is DX and a report is written by the DXing specialist, it must include all of the relevant information? Why cant they just use that?

[flyingmum]

Happy to help.

It should flow, ie Part 2 needs to be right to get part 3 right which then flows into part 4.

Most LEAs write the wooliest statements ever so it gives them get out clauses. What evidence do you have that your child needs the 30 hours 1 to 1. It is a hell of a lot of hours support to ask for and very rarely granted. If you've got the evidence then that should be used to write part 2.

[5inthebed]

He has 1-2-1 all the time at MS school, but in a small group of 6 at SN school. He is going to be attending MS school, so the 1-2-1 should bode well. His EP was on the review panel and seems to think the 30 hours will be granted, as the only other alternative is SN school, which will cost more.