Asking for help with statements/ehcp

[Fedupofthis123]

I know this doesn’t belong in aibu but there is no traffic in the SEN sections and I’d like some advice.

My daughter is four and has a diagnosis of autism and severe global developmental delay. She has a statement of SEN (I’m in wales) and I received the final copy of it yesterday. In a nutshell I disagree with them keeping her in her current mainstream school where she attends nursery. I believe that she needs to be in a specialist unit where with more support.

The local authority have evidence from both the paediatric doctor who diagnosed her and the school SENCO which states that she needs to be in a specialist placement. The medical evidence used for the statement literally says ‘(child) will not achieve there full potential without placement in a specialist unit’. The SENCO also wrote that the school isn’t best suited to her in their evidence as well.

Is there anything I can do? The school are going to hold an early review which is apparently a step in the right direction. I’ve read about appealing the decision and taking it to tribunal but I can’t work out whether she needs to be in the current placement for a year first. Would I have much hope of winning a tribunal? I hate all of this. As awful as I sound, I wish all this stuff would go away.

I am a SENCO but in England so there may be some differences. If you were a parent at my school I would advise you to appeal. There isn't a requirement to have been at a setting for any specific length of time in England. Sounds like you have a good case, but specialist placements are expensive so the local authority may well push back hard against this. I'm trying to get a specialist placement for a girl at my school and it is very tricky. Good luck.

Appeal. I can only speak for my county but the success rate at appeal is very high.

It's very common for EHCPs to be pushed back or only partly met - cheaper innit.

The appeals process should be clearly documented. Ask for support from the school if necessary. Good luck.

It is stressful but I’d appeal
my daughter sounds exactly like yours! I will probably have the EHCP done privately by an expert to minimise the chance of having to appeal.
i wanted my daughter to attend a specialist school too but hoping she can cope with 121 support which is apparently still difficult to get from my LA
there are lots of support groups on Facebook

You should appeal. Get some advice from IPSEA/SENSOS. Avoid SENDIASS as they are funded by the local authority. Please do not be distracted with the idea of paying privately for an EHCP. The local authority will be prioritising funding and will have limited places so you will face these hurdles. Do not assume the school SENCO is an expert - do your research. I realise this is just a chat forum and you have summarised but I think you/school are lacking specific reasoning backed up with evidence. Good luck - it is hard