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Original poster

EHCP support thread

1000 replies

Phineyj · 25/06/2023 08:51

My DD (10) is being assessed for EHCP. The council refused to assess (despite her already being diagnosed with ADHD, ASD, hypermobility and vision problems following eye surgery).

School have been supportive throughout and they are going above and beyond to keep her engaged in education.

She's about to go into year 6 though.

I took the LA to the tribunal and won.

They must produce the plan by 4th August. I think they probably will (they've stuck to deadlines so far...ish...). But I've got all the IPSEA complaint letter templates primed!

The hardest thing about the whole process is that no-one else in my life understands it or what it's like to spend all your free time essentially begging people to document the deficits your child has.

It is also a hard realisation that no-one cares much about your child's education except you.

I am also a teacher so I feel sad on behalf of the SEN DC I teach as I am told little about their needs (I spent a whole day doing DofE with one recently...I don't even know what her EHCP says...)

Join me if you are also grimly trekking through the EHCP jungle!!

OP posts:
ThomasWasTortured · 13/12/2023 12:07

@listlesscat if you want further support with the draft, have you enquired whether SOSSEN can support you further? They sometimes can.

Original poster
Phineyj · 13/12/2023 13:28

www.talking-sense.org/ a friend recommended these people. They're West Mids but work across the country.

OP posts:
Coatsy · 13/12/2023 21:19

My son is 4 and declined EHCP after assessment as LA (N.York’s) believe his need a can be met without one, evidence provided suggests otherwise and local schools have all said can’t meet needs, so I am rather frustrated!

I am therefore appealing the decision, but wondered if mediation was worthwhile or should I just get the certificate and move on? Advice is conflicted. I am inclined to skip it, but wondered if anyone would suggest otherwise? I have booked calls with IPSEA & SENDIASS too.

Thanks!

Original poster
Phineyj · 13/12/2023 22:05

Just get the certificate and put the appeal in.

Most LAs just reject everything as far as I can see.

You have to be persistent to get the certificate. They make you listen to some rigmarole first and it's basically a call centre.

Good luck.

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ThomasWasTortured · 13/12/2023 22:34

I agree with @Phineyj, I wouldn’t bother actively partaking in mediation. Just get the certificate and submit to SENDIST. LAs use mediation as a delaying tactic. If they are going to concede they will do so regardless of whether you actively partake or just get the certificate.

Make sure you submit a normal application for a reception place. Without an EHCP, state schools can’t refuse a place based on SEN. Places are allocated according to the admissions criteria.

Alltheyearround · 13/12/2023 23:22

@Mummytodo We are also Derbyshire LA. They have a very bad reputation in the SEND world, all kinds of tricks and bad practice. I made it a point to complain all the way to the top. Every time. They delay and try to provide the very minimum. Watch them like a hawk.

Alltheyearround · 13/12/2023 23:24

There is a Derbyshire EHCP facebook page, and of course you can post anonymously. Some knowledgable people there.

LushFloral · 14/12/2023 10:31

Need you help please wise posters- sorry it’s not even an EHCP matter. CAMHS referral. I can’t get hold of the school SENCO team. They have added no input of their own despite it being a referral via the school. Some out of date cut and pasting of what I have sent I them. That aside I can’t get hold of them to discuss it anyway.
So where it says to give details of ‘other professionals involved’ do I include the GP (not involved actively because they say everything is commissioned through CAMHS but they be willing to help with prior nod from CAMHS..)?
Do I include the other professionals who gave the private ASD, ADHD etc diagnoses?
Am worried CAMHS will think well resourced family if they see private diagnoses which is far from the case. We have a MASH referral.

ThomasWasTortured · 14/12/2023 11:24

Most areas usually have a separate question about GP details, but even if there isn’t you don’t need to worry about including the GP under other professionals.

Include any professionals currently involved. You don’t need to include previous professionals (e.g. where they only diagnosed and discharged).

If the SENCO is ignoring you email the HT.

LushFloral · 14/12/2023 11:56

Thanks Thomas

Coatsy · 14/12/2023 17:18

I chased up the mediation company today, to ask for a certificate, they said that tribunal wait times are 57 weeks, which I knew. I still think I’ll just skip the process.

Its absolutely ridiculous that it’s allowed to drag on this long, when it relates to the welfare and education of children, but in it for the long haul!

Mummytodo · 14/12/2023 17:25

@Alltheyearround thank you I submitted my complaint and today I spoke to the school. They were also not informed prior and actually called out of the blue and off the cuff asked to assess there and then. They agreed as they thought I had commissioned them (I am having OT and SALT go into school and DD also going through ASOS)

The head and senco agree I should complain and I have. I have asked for a re assessment but I do not think they will do it

MrsLamb · 14/12/2023 17:35

Quick question on report dates: should the dates in the bundle refer to dates of reports (eg date they were completed and signed), or dates that constituent assessments were undertaken? TIA

ThomasWasTortured · 14/12/2023 19:08

@Mummytodo the school is also at fault. The fact they believe the EP was independently commissioned leads me to believe they did not know who they were speaking to so in that situation they should not have allowed the spontaneous assessment.

@MrsLamb both dates may be included, but the date the final report was issued should definitely be there.

Mummytodo · 14/12/2023 19:56

Yes I agree, I had told them before I would not be getting an ed psych report as I couldn't find anyone with availability. The system is minefield and no one knows what they doing

Original poster
Phineyj · 14/12/2023 21:13

Gosh @Coatsy, that's got longer even in the last few months. We were given a date for next September, in November this year.

OP posts:
MrsLamb · 14/12/2023 21:38

Wondering if we need a flanker thread, where we document all the dodgy, underhand things LAs are engaging in, so that anyone applying can check what's happening against a complilation of dirty tactics?

MrsLamb · 14/12/2023 21:39

Would make for quite an interesting record of practice....

Alltheyearround · 14/12/2023 21:41

It would be a long thread!

Coatsy · 14/12/2023 22:28

That fact that it’s even a thing ie the dirty tactics baffles me, honestly disgraceful

TeaInTheGarden · 14/12/2023 22:38

Waiting on the results of the panel deciding if they are going to issue or not. Was told it was this week, and panel would be Wednesday or Thursday. When we got a refusal to assess I got a phone call the same afternoon.
But this time so far…. Nothing!
I’ve called and emailed a few times, and no responses.
Pretty sure our caseworker hates me due to the number of complaints I’ve made, and the fact I’ve been over her head speaking to principal Ed Pscyh to get them to accept our independent EP report.
So I’m not exactly surprised she’s not ghosting me at such a critical time….
But need to somehow get an answer tomorrow though as can’t wait all weekend!

Is it normal to have to wait for panel results?

TeaInTheGarden · 14/12/2023 23:30

@MrsLamb that thread sounds like a great idea I have a few things I could add!

TeaInTheGarden · 14/12/2023 23:34

@Coatsy when we got our refusal to assess the LA and the mediation company both told me the wait for a tribunal, even a paper hearing, was about 12 months.
i had heard otherwise so decided to call the tribunal service and ask. They told me the wait was around 4/5 months. So the LA and mediation company had both lied.
if I were you I’d make a call before you decide anything.
Oh and I got the certificate, lodged the appeal, and then a few days later at a “way forward” meeting, the LA conceded anyway.

Original poster
Phineyj · 15/12/2023 07:46

@MrsLamb I don't know - obviously you are free to start whatever thread you like but I think we are all in stressful situations and dwelling on that aspect may not be helpful psychologically.

It's probably just because I'm an economist, but I prefer to think of it more in terms of incentives. At the moment there is little incentive for good practice and a lot for bad.

@coatsy there is a thing called a Send 7 form you can submit to attempt to make a tribunal happen sooner. Another poster (I can't remember which one) managed to shave a few months off that way. I have tried this but I don't know if it's worked yet.

Today is our deadline for the LA to respond to the tribunal paperwork.

Will they?

They are quite craven so I wouldn't be surprised if they just put a response on their "portal" and don't tell me...

OP posts:
Original poster
Phineyj · 15/12/2023 07:47

I was thinking the other day that I might make an A to Z of common SEN acronyms, terms and abbreviations to help newbies.

Good idea?

OP posts:
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