incorrect OT pathway for Education!

[twitterusername]

The OT service has returned my call following our CIN meeting and said DS is on the incorrect OT path for Health instead of Education.

He needs to be put on the pathway for Education waiting list which cannot be done by school but needs to be done by SEND office for the EHCP which I understand is SEN officer.

DS's problems are in the classroom, overloaded with environment, people and rules which needs to be put in the Education section as per our private OT report. Attached evidence.

As a parent/lay person how was I supposed to know? I feel hindered by wasting time and becoming more and more desperate and frustrated as time is running out for DS.

Is somebody in the system supposed to be helping us? I have always felt DS is in the wrong placement.

Our private OT report has been in their system since at least four months.

The only way out of this I can see is to ask for Final EHCP and take to appeal.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Don’t rely on the LA to give you correct information. Unfortunately the onus is on parents to navigate the system and advocate for parents.

OT provision should normally be in F and if it is specified and quantified in section F you don’t need to sit on waiting lists. Local pathways are irrelevant.

@twitterusername

Have you actually had the draft plan yet?

Yes and now, I believe the legal timeframe on our EHCP has lapsed and would like our Final, so that we may appeal.

I thought this was a post 16 transfer year? In which case, the LA must finalise by 31st March.

They should send the Final EHCP within 8 weeks of sending the draft plan.

If they are out of time send the model letter here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/complaining-when-the-local-authority-does-not-send-out-the-final-amended-ehc-plan-in-time-model-letter-15

Yes, a post 16 transfer year, but the legal timeframe on our EHCP has lapsed. Or does that not matter and they can take their time and I will only be able to appeal from 31st March.

While the LA have to finalise the amended EHCP after the AR within 8 weeks of issuing the draft with the placement for now named they don’t have to issue a finalised amended EHCP with the post 16 placement, they have until 31st March to do that. The LA may yet issue another proposed amended EHCP for post 16.

What questions would you ask the Head of the new College?