LEAs phasing out statements!

[deeeja]

My LEA is no longer providing statements for sen for children, unless they need more than 18 hours!
Previously it was 10 hours. Schools have to now provide the extra hours out of their own sen funding.
I have also heard of some LEAs trying to stretch this to 20 hours.
THis is a joint 'venture' with social services and the health authority.
I have seen it in action when trying to get my ds's needs met.
As if things weren't hard enough already!
This policy comes into effect in April in my borough. How about everyone else?

[floaty]

We were told this ,no staetmenst for dyspraxia dyslexis etc adn certainly not without diagnosis/We were told he would be fine on Action Plus ...rubbish!

[catrin]

Coming late to this, but...
I work in Redbridge, so know this situation to be depressingly true. Funding will be given to schools to sort out, but how much we will get, I don't know. I think it will be linked to Free School Meal numbers.
If your ds's needs cannot be met through normal school SA+ provision, then the school can provide lots of evidence to say why a statement s necessary, BUT if your ds currently receives less than 18 hours in school support and is making any progress at all, then he is unlikely to get one.

[deeeja]

Well Redbridge has revealed another strategy to keep the number of statements down, by under-diagnosing almost every child they can keep the statements down. This is what happens when all departments are joined together. They all work together and lean on all personnel, even good staff get taken in to some degree. This has happened to some of my friends. From next year any new patients will have to have all treatment in the brough, all diagnoses, GP practices, hospital appointments,etc will have to be in borough or else 'they will get no services' to quote a LA employee, which translates to no assessment and no statement.

[deeeja]

I have just found out from a very reliable source that my LA is now no longer giving diagnoses of autism, and is replacing this with 'social and communication disorder.' Presumably because there is case law linked with children getting statements with autism and asd.
Apparently school action+ is being extended to 20 hours! I am fuming!
So lots of children will not get support that they need because they are autistic, and will not cope in school, will not be able to access the curriculum.
This is disgusting!
and double

[deeeja]

I have just sent an email to the IPSEA.
I am still fuming, but have calmed down a bit and wrote a very rational email to the ipsea.
I think I must live in the worst borough for children with asd's.
They are also saying that special schools will be carrying out all assessments of need themselves. Does anyone know if this is legal?
OOOOOOOOOOOOh, I hate LEA's!

[TheMatrix]

I am sorry I have only just read this (only just joined).
It has mostly been said - apply yourself for an assessment for SEN - do not trust the school to do this.

REMEMBER THE OLD ADDAGE ' YOU CAN TELL WHEN THEY ARE LYING-THEIR LIPS MOVE!!

Who cares what the LEA 'policy' is - the LAW has to be followed and SENDIST can force the LEA to conform.

Message to yurt1 - another independent support group SOS!SEN would be very pleased to welcome your services for any time you may have available (tel: 0208 538 3731)

Don't forget whatever the LEA or school promise re hours/support, they can withdraw it at anytime - a statement is a legal document which they MUST implement!!!