Any information about statement's much appreciated

[IneedT]

My daughter has ASD she was diagnosed in January, she has been on SA and SA+ since reception(she is now about to go to year 4)and has also been on and has just come off the CAF (only because the guidelines are she should not be on a CAF for more than 6 months......she was on it for 19months!!) the school is generally great, however I have asked about a statement I have been told the council will not statement as the school cannot recieve anymore funding. my daughter has in her class 3 other statemented children 2 of which are autistic (not sure about the 3rd) they all have their own TA's so C will not get any help apart from one hour on a Wednesday if it is deemed 'required'. Unfortunately her school report is not very good at all even though I am repeatedly told she is progressing, infact I have not been able to find anything in any subject apart from science that is positive (apart from she has room to improve next year).
Is this correct? can she not recieve any more help? is their a maximum number of TA's in a class?? I feel as though I am being fobbed off with comments such as 'its alot of paperwork when they will not process it because she is not bad enough'
If anyone can help I will be much appreciated. I am off to an IEP tonight.

Hi IneedT.

Come and copy your post over here on the SN board. It's much busier over there and there are lots of parents of ASD children who can give your more advice and support.

Hi there.

What you have been told by the school is utter rubbish - very irresponsible of them to feed you this garbage although, sadly, not uncommon.

It is not the school's decision as to whether to issue a statement for your child - it is the LEA's. And yes, LEAs are almost always unwilling (initially) to issue statements because it costs them money. The funding for a statemented child - for example, the funding for a full time 1:1 TA for your child - would no longer come out of the school's budget, but out of the LEA's. And any provision detailed in a statement is legally binding (which any support at SA/SA+ is not). Which means it becomes a legal right of your child to receive it, and a legal obligation on the part of the LEA to provide it. So - expensive for the lEA and makes them more accountable for your child. Of course they don't like statements!

However, they are regularly issued to childrenw ith SEN, although often (mostly?) after a fight.

You have the right, as a parent to request a statutory assessment of your child's needs. See the IPSEA website for a model letter, and ring them for advice - they're hard to get hold of, but very good.

You do NOT need the school's approval or support to do this, although it might be a good idea to tell them (in writing, as well as verbally) that you are intending to do so. If there is any way they can come around to supporting your request it would be a good thing.

If your request for SA is turned down, you have the right to appeal.

Good luck and come on to the SN boards for loads of great advice and support.

Hi IneedT

re your comment:-

"however I have asked about a statement I have been told the council will not statement as the school cannot recieve anymore funding"

You were fed a lot of lies when you were told this piece of misinformation.

Would second what ReasonableDoubt has written in its entireity.

Do also visit the Special Needs; Childrens section of this website as that forum receives far more traffic on it.

Thank you for all your advice, I attended an IEP meeting last night and raised the question again, to be told that there is no point!! but I have advised them I will contact the appropriate people to gain advice that is up to date and correct.......needless to say they were not impressed!! I did follow up with "my children come first I want the best for them!" with that the meeting ended ! thank you so much again, its great to know that we are not the only ones going through this, as i'm sure you all know it can get really disheartening with the constant uphill climb! I feel empowered! its great!! :-)