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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Ehcp and educational psychologist wait

29 replies

DownstairsMixUp · 02/03/2020 17:50

Wondering if anyone had previous experience on this or advice...

My son has been diagnosed with a severe language disorder and it's looking likely he has autism, we started the ehcp process in September as he 100% needs one. The la agreed to assess him end of September. He has been seen by salt so far who have agreed they would input on an ehcp and have some brilliant therapy sessions planned for him in school if the ehcp is approved.

The problem is, we've been at a wall for ages now. The la won't give me a decision until the educational psychologist has seen him... they gave me the number and I asked how long it would be, they said "several months from now" which would basically mean all of year 1 has gone. He has not retained any information and the schools senco is brilliant but they have maxed out the extra help they can give him.

So is it worth paying for a private educational psychologist to assess? We are not loaded by any means but we've got a couple of grand set aside and I'm wondering if it's worth going private? He seems to be finding school a lot more upsetting since reception as it's changed from play to a lot of work. He cannot write anything apart from his name and he can't read a thing either. He really is suffering this year and I am finding it difficult myself. Has anyone ever paid for a private one and did it speed the process up?

OP posts:
10brokengreenbottles · 02/03/2020 21:43

This is SOSSEN's leaflet on JR.

Write to your LA's Director of Children's Services complaining about them not sticking to the statutory timescales, that you haven't had a resolution despite previously complaining, and remind them that waiting lists is not an acceptable reason for not complying with the law. At the end of the letter state that if they do not arrange an EP appointment without delay then you will be forced to make an application for JR.

Usually the threat alone works, if not you will need to get someone to send a pre action letter for you. If you have to do this SOSSEN can help.

Make sure all correspondence with the LA is in writing and follow up all phone conversations with emails.

DownstairsMixUp · 02/03/2020 21:06

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

10brokengreenbottles · 02/03/2020 20:08

Your LA are in breach of their statutory duties - EHCP timescales are set in law. See this IPSEA information sheet.

An LA EP not being available to assess/a waiting list isn't a good enough reason to not adhere to them. See this page. If they can't get a LA EP to assess in time they should commission an independent one.

You should threaten judicial review. Usually the threat forces action.

DownstairsMixUp · 02/03/2020 18:56

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