To just let you know (re, SEN funding)

[theqentity]

That TA in the class that does 1-1 with the child that had additional needs is not funded by the school, but the LA, and a parent had to probably go to tribunal in order to get that level of support for their child.

What they are NOT doing is taking away from the school funding and the education of others. They are not there to support other children, although many do despite it not being in their job description.

Sorry, just the pass gag What's App group has really depressed me today.

@Imitatingdory

it creates an even wider gap between children.

I have acknowledged more than once it is an horrendous system where DC whose parents can navigate the system and advocate get better support. I have also posted should not be that way.

Not all parents have the knowledge and skills to do this though sadly

However, while ^ this is the case I did put “encouraged and supported^,” and there are many avenues of support available that sadly lots do not know about - from legal aid (which many parents and even professionals do not realise is available) to IPSEA and SOSSEN to Parents In Need, local groups, MN, numerous Facebook groups, and everything in between. If parents were signposted and supported to approach some of the the gap between provision may narrow. I very much doubt it will disappear as there is a gap in provision/attainment/support in society outwith SEND and EHCPs, but it could narrow, at least at an individual level.

While underfunding of education is a huge problem LAs still manage to spend extortionate sums hiring barristers to defend indefensible case against unrepresented parents, so it is not like there is no money in their pot (I’m aware this is not anything to do with schools). And as Punx posted, her LA is now having to spend more than if they had provided basic support in the first place. Her case is not unusual.

Not sure why you're arguing about it, we both agree the system is shit.

I am not arguing, I have commented/replied to your posts as I have other posters’ posts on this thread.

My younger dc's senco told me that most parents who apply for an ehcp themselves without school support don't get one.

It's probably true that the LA refuses applications for EHC needs assessments fairly routinely if they are not supported by schools, because that provides them with an easy excuse. However, that really doesn't have to be the end of it. To get an assessment, all that a parent has to show is that the child has or may have SEN, and that they may need support through an EHCP. If the LA refuses, they have a right of appeal, and over 90% of appeals against refusals to assess result in the LA conceding or the parents winning.

there are many avenues of support available that sadly lots do not know about - from legal aid (which many parents and even professionals do not realise is available

Sadly legal aid for tribunals is very difficult to get currently, because it is paid so badly that there are very few firms who will do it. The government desperately needs to get real about legal aid, it's not the only area where they are effectively denying people access to justice.

Legal Aid isn’t perfect, but it is possible. I am not the only one on this thread to mention it as a possibility. There are others on MN who have had Legal Aid and ‘won’, at least 2 securing independent residential placements.

Currently, it is really difficult to get a legal aid firm to take you on. Simpson Millar, which previously had the larger share of the telephone advice contract, gave it up and the Legal Aid Agency haven't been able to find anyone to take over, bar a new organisation that is only doing one day a week on the contract. SM and other firms have face-to-face contracts, but those limit the number of cases they are allowed to take on.

Certainly, if you can get legal aid, potentially it's good - though it is now paid so badly that most of the work is done by paralegals whose quality varies a lot.