Children with a statement

MegaLegs- make sure YOU apply for the statement not them, you have much more protection if you do (time limits etc). Have you come across IPSEA- they're invaluable for advice. Pre-school provision varies wildly across the UK, so worth talking to other parents locally to get an idea of how good your LEA are.

We are about to enter the land of statementing and DLA for ds4. He is only 18 months but at our last CDC appointment we were told they would put in a Pre school alert to the LEA before he starts nursery next year.(Does that sound right?) They make it sound so simple but the experiences I read about on here show the real story. Why on earth does it have to be such a struggle to help our kids get the schooling and support they need? Apologies if I sound naive but it's all new to me.

Certainly all authoriies I've worked in you had to have a statement to get into a special school...in theory. In reality lots of kids there still awaiting an assessment, and PRU's full of them.

I think 100% of sepcial school kids are statemented. I thought the school had to be named on the statement to be able to go to the school iyswim. It costs so much more to attend a special school I doubt they'd let anyone in without one.

In my special school all the kids have to have a full statement to get in.

I thuink what swung it for us was two things- firstly we clearly ahd a case for disability discrimination lawsuit; secondly, I closed with the sentence that I feared DS would kill someone one day.

I very much doubt his educational needs had much to do with it TBH, friend of mine is A counsilor, married to an AM and an ex techer. She says this locality is being taken to task by the Assembly for its statementing (tto many refusals). certainly, a move of 2 miles would make a HUGE difference in our likelihood fo getting decent support.

Oh Dingle- I know they do that- hold out to the last each time- its a digrace.

Dingle - I do hope you get things sorted out soon. Even not knowing loads about your DD, I just don't understand how they can say that she won't need support in reception but will get some in year 1 !?!

I used to be an Ed.Psych (now a general psych) and worked in a few LEA's. Those national stats at the OP, would vary SO much from LEA to LEA, and just the statementing rate varies HUGELY. I worked in the LEA with the lowest rate and then went to the highest.
LEA's varied parents didn'e all just wanted the best, and their children's needs met.

It makes me so so angry that the system allows this. IMO the are jeopardising her mainstream education, even though the LEA have finally agreed to assess (that was big of them, the day before papers were submitted to tribunal services...there's a surprise!) they are playing everything right to the line and even if we suceed, we will be luck to get her classroom support by September.......A whole year of her ed. wasted.

Sorry,it is all rather raw ATM, completing yet more forms to the LEA today.

martianbishop - i agree, but all this school is interested in, is the academically able child/ren that will keep their results high and the children that will go straight through to their secondary school on the same site.ANd money....

there is also a private school locally that is recognised for its work with pupils on the dyslexia/dyspraxia traits

until i win the lottery i will just have to continue the fighting with the lea every year at dd's annual review

Ditto Dingle, really feel for you and dd.

Oh Dingle, I get so cross when I read your posts. I can't believe what your LEA are putting you and your dd through.

CT- for a statement to be in place for Year 7, then a transitional review is held when the child is in year 5, to give the LEA time to prepare it and for the school to be ready to meet the childs needs???

Hope the appointment goes well MB

There is a private school apparently accessed by local kids (not sure which- kids from here go Monmouth, cardiff and newport directions) that is known to be excellent with AS / HFA, Its been suggested I send Sam there several times but as funding is not available thats hardly likely. There's a Mum at school whose child (the only other ASD kid there) has a statement specifying 1:1, but for some bizarre reason the help has never materialised- they're always interviewing or whatever but no asnswers are forthcoming. She's thinking of it, but she's a full time Mum (as if I am not- snort!) and her Dh works one week away / one week off, so half the time she ahs someone to help with a multiple school run.

So trying not to bother even commenting ...it's just still far to bitter here!!!

It seemed that DD (5) is one of the only children I know of with Down Syndrome, that I know of, that is coping so well and won't need ANY classroonm suport until she reaches Y1! (sarcastic glare emoticon)

What a load of B**CKS!!!

It doesn't matter that the teachers haven't a clue about her SENs, that they don't sign, that she is allowed to wander in and out the class as she pleases...it suits their staffing levels and the budget for her not to be statemented.

So in my very humble, very bitter opinion figures mean nothing.

Sorry to rant!

CT- you can apply for a statement anytime you like. I appplied for one for ds1 before he started school (naming the school he was going to go to). In your situation in the year before secondary (say 8 months before) I'd put in an application to be in place by the time secondary started.

a private primary up here basically said 'er no thank you' when a friend applied for her s/n child

ha ha great minds cincci