Ed Psych from LA not very good

[TheTrixter]

Hi, so my daughter was assessed for her ehcp few weeks ago, and since then I've had a few discussions with her over the phone, she's very reluctant to communicate in writing. Of the discussions I've had with her, she does not seem knowledgeable in autism at all. She's trying to recommend main stream schooling when I've a ton of evidence that she has ignored that means she mainstream is unsuitable for her. My worry is, when I get the report bk, it's going to be really vague. If it is, what can I do about it? I can claim legal aid, I'm just wondering if I appeal the contents that legal aid should be able to fund an independent ed psych. Is that true?

Maybe recommend this (free to download) book www.uclpress.co.uk/collections/ro_homepage_products/products/152465 to her?

www.ipsea.org.uk/where-can-i-get-help-with-making-an-appeal

This should help answer your questions

Legal aid can fund an EP assessment. If you appeal F you should also appeal B.

If the EP won’t communicate via email follow up verbal conversations with emails, you don’t need a reply, as it then leaves a paper trail should you need it as evidence.

If her report is vague and woolly complain to the LA and ask them to go back to her to make it detailed, specified and quantified.

Hi, she will not give me her email address to discuss things in writing. That's an issue in itself. I feel a complaint will need to be submitted.

I feel it maybe best to have the plan finalised so I can appeal the whole contents, as complaining will just delay things all the more. She's been out of school now since March 2021 due to failures of timescales by the la and unmet needs by the school she was in.

Hi, is there a general email address for the service? Probably would be worth writing to that if so. Might have it on the local offer webpage for your area. Or else, the local authority EHCP assessment team will know it and is responsible for the assessment so you could write to them about it not being fit for purpose and ask for contact details/pass on your points.

Do you have support with the appeal?

If you can’t find the EP’s email address by googling send emails to your caseworker instead. Don’t be drawn into going back and forth with the LA delaying finalising. The EHCP must be finalised by week 20. But, you can complain about the report being vague and woolly without delaying finalising.

If DD cannot attend school full time the LA must provide a suitable, full time education under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. Are they?