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Original poster

It has been decided that dd2 has no place in a SN school or MS school, where do i go from here?

26 replies

Marne · 27/05/2010 20:00

I have posted on the SN board and was advised to post here.

3 months ago we put dd2's name forward for a SN school, Dd2 has ASD and severe language delay, it went to a panel on monday and today i received a letter conforming that dd2 is not suitable for SN school or MS school, the panel could not decide on a place for dd2.

Where do i go from here?

Surely she deserves the same as any other child (the chance to start her education in september)?

I know the law states that she does not have to start school until the term after her 5 th birthday but can they take this choice away from me? (well i thought it was my choice).

Any advice gratefully received.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 27/05/2010 20:02

did they not suggest anything at all? that's shocking!

Original poster
Marne · 27/05/2010 20:07

nothing , it says 'no place was agreed' and it says 'if any professional advice changes in the future indicating your childs needs have changed we would be happy to consider them again at panel'. There's nothing about any other options no mention of any other schools or units.

OP posts:
3seater · 27/05/2010 20:09

Have you contacted these people

MavisEnderby · 27/05/2010 20:12

Can you contact IPSEA?

Will try link but am crap at em

www.IPSEA.org.uk

Original poster
Marne · 27/05/2010 20:14

thank you 3seater, i will phone them in the morning. I havn't contacted anyone today as i have only just got my hear around what the letter says. I feel so confused and angry. I will be phoning the case worker first thing in the morning in hope she can explain a bit further.

OP posts:
thisisyesterday · 27/05/2010 20:15

so basically they're saying she can't go to school?
so are they offering to pay for a private tutor to home school her? i suspect not

so they HAVE to offer her a place, and if they can;t decide then you have to, and then insist on it and wear them down until they agree

Original poster
Marne · 27/05/2010 20:20

My choice would be the SN school, i have feeling that dd2's educational phychiatrist(sp) was on the panel and i know his feeling was to send dd2 to MS with full support or to a Speech and language unit 9which is 20 miles away), maybe he's thinking about the speech and language unit?

Apparently they don't have to place her (name a school) until she is 5. Our local MS is willing to take her but i don't feel she will be safe in a MS setting. Ideally she would be going to the SN school.

OP posts:
MavisEnderby · 27/05/2010 20:23

If she goes to the speech and language unit and it is a special needs unit she would get transport,I would hope.

I really feel for you.It may be worth contacting IPSEA to see if they can help xx

belledechocolatefluffybunny · 27/05/2010 20:26

www.childrenslegalcentre.com These are really helpful for advice. You could get your MP to help aswell, they are really useful.

thisisyesterday · 27/05/2010 20:28

can you appeal it at all? could you pay for an independent ed psych report?
did you get a chance to put your feelings across?

Original poster
Marne · 27/05/2010 20:29

I'm worried as the speech unit is based at one of the largest schools in our area and only deals with S&L problems (not ASD). Surely she would be worse off than being in our tiny MS school.

I feel a SN school is her only option other than keeping her in nursery or at home.

OP posts:
Original poster
Marne · 27/05/2010 20:31

I will be trying to appeal (if i can), the ed psych has only met dd2 once for half an hour (at home)and i guess he had a huge say in what school she gets placed in.

OP posts:
belledechocolatefluffybunny · 27/05/2010 20:31

There are schools dotted about that are specifically for children with ASD and are funded by the local authority. Have you looked at the autistic web site for info on these?

MavisEnderby · 27/05/2010 20:34

i would try contacting all 3 organisations that people have posted on here.

I would write a letter to the LEA all about your dds issues and state you have got all of these organisations involved and that you want a reassessment by the panel.Include any reports from SALTS ed psych paed and so on.

Keep badgering them 9And ipsea will be able to help you with any letters etc,(I know I keepbanging on about them but they have been very helpful to a friend of mine).

Original poster
Marne · 27/05/2010 20:35

belle, the school we applied for specializes in ASD (i think around 75% of the students are on the spectrum), the only other school in our area is a boarding school for ASD children, they only take boarders and children from the age of 7.

OP posts:
belledechocolatefluffybunny · 27/05/2010 20:40

Go and see your MP, they really are useful with government departments and their crapness. It sounds really stressful for you, it will get sorted though.

marmum · 27/05/2010 21:03

Can you ask for an assessment placement in either of these schools to see how she copes? It usually means that if the school and council agree, she gets a place before the statementing has to happen (it's pretty much just a way around the whole "council won't statement until 4, 5, etc). I would ask whoever is supporting you if this is possible.

Original poster
Marne · 28/05/2010 09:55

Ok, i have spoke to the case worker, apparently she has a place at MS. I asked if i could appeal against there decision and they said 'no, not unless new evidence comes up after she has started MS' so basicly dd2 has to get hurt before they will take any notice, i told them how safety is important. Apparently they decided against SN school because dd2 needs to be near verbal children to help her speech and language delay, surely her safety is more important? Yes it would be great for her speech to improve but what use is that is her safety is at risk.

I have spoken to the MS school this morning and they have said they will try there best to meet dd2's needs and will do there best to keep her safe.

I then took dd2 to nursery and they told me to appeal and they told me another child in the group had got a place at the SN school and they are less severe than dd2, they are also worried about dd2's safety.

I really don't know what to do, i wish i could stop crying, i feel so bloody useless, why cant i provide dd2 with a safe enviroment to learn in and a safe place to live (a whole other thread), i feel i have let her down sad.

OP posts:
belledechocolatefluffybunny · 28/05/2010 17:10

I posted a link for the childrens legal centre above, they are really good and will help. You've not let her down, it's the system that's at fault. It's always a battle when you have a child with SN, it shouldn't be like this.

mebaasmum · 28/05/2010 18:25

Do you have any Independant ASD schools in your area. Look on the NAS website. Also look at the ICAN schools. If you do go and look at them, If you like them present that to your LEA as a valid option. Either they will cough up or shy away from the cost and find suitable provision. SOSSEN can be helpful

Original poster
Marne · 28/05/2010 20:07

mebaasmum- we have one independant ASD school near us but it only takes children age 7+ and is a boarding school. Apparently its very rarely that they will take a day pupil. Its a great school but sadly its not an option at the moment.

OP posts:
5inthebed · 28/05/2010 20:14

Sorry I've only just seen your thread Marne, had no computer til late yesterday.

Have they offered her full 1:1 at MS school?

Original poster
Marne · 28/05/2010 20:31

Her statement says '30 hours support which can be 1:1 or in a small group' the school have applied for extra funding to pay for a full 1:1 which will cover break and lunch times (so they say).

OP posts:
5inthebed · 28/05/2010 22:09

Is it the final statement you have? Push for the full 1:1

DS2 has full 1:1 and I don't think he could cope without it, luckily neither do the school.

Original poster
Marne · 29/05/2010 08:31

The school have agreed that she will need full 1:1, we have not had the final statement so we still have time to change it.

OP posts: