EP Report and lack of specificity around provision

[TwittleBee]

Can I have some guidance on how to request an EP (provided by the LA) ensures the Report is specific and quantifiable?

The Report starts off so strong, really clearly captures our son's SEND but I've noticed that the provision doesn't actually provide anything that can be robustly measured.

I would go back to the EP highlighting all the woolly and vague wording or any needs that are missing or needs that don’t have corresponding provision. I would also contact the LA, reminding them of what reports should be like and asking them to ensure the report is sufficient.

Thank you so much, the report captures his needs so we'll but unfortunately it's just not very specific.

To summarise it states
60 minutes SALT
60 minute structured and supported social interaction with peers
Nurturing environment with a consistent trusted adult
All staff must use PANDA approach
All provision that is not quantified must be provided by staff throughout his day

Or is that specific enough?

Also, "through the day" and "when his behaviour requires it" - is this similar to "waking day curriculum" as it does also discuss how the key to a suitable provision is that there is flexibility throughout the day.

Does state needs a support worker but doesn't quantify when

It isn’t enough. For example,

60 mins of SALT - how frequently, focusing on what, 1:1? - although this would often come from a SALT assessment in more detail. Has DS had a SALR assessment?

60 minutes structured and supported social interaction with peers - how frequently, by who (and their training/qualifications/experience), where/when (e.g. in the classroom, in the playground), how big a group (with 1 other peer, 5, 10, the whole class), will DS need 1:1 within the group? Again, a SALT assessment may expand on this.

a consistent trusted adult and support worker - what adult? The receptionist, a volunteer, the cleaner? Will it be 1:1? How long for? Where will they support DS? What will they do?

All provision that is not quantified must be provided by staff throughout his day - all provision should be detailed, specified and quantified. Depending on exactly what is written, ‘for the whole school day’ can be better wording.

when his behaviour requires it - to vague and woolly. Who will decide when it is required? DS may need receive it at all.

is this similar to "waking day curriculum"

No. The term waking day curriculum isn’t so much used now. But it is about needing provision beyond the typical school day.

Thank you so so much for this, I do read this report as explaining provision is needed beyond the school day as it highlights that he needs flexibility and education at his own pace available to respond to him when he is ready. However, it's wooly.

Obviously, I can only comment on your posts rather than the report itself but depending on the context “needs flexibility and education at his own pace available to respond to him when he is ready.” is said it wouldn’t necessarily indicate provision outside the normal school day is required. Flexibility and DS’s pace can be delivered in a school day.

Yes that's a good point, I suppose I'm caught up on how I know he best functions after 5pm

I'm trying to work out how best to re-write

" where provision is not quantified or specified, it is expected to be put in place by staff in response to his needs throughout his day"

Would this be better?

" where provision is not quantified or specified, all staff must consistently put in place the provision throughout his day to ensure a consistent approach to accommodating his needs"

Are you wanting to pursue EOTAS/EOTIS?

It would be better if the provision was detailed, specified and quantified. What exactly is “consistently put in place the provision throughout his day”? Your definition will be different to the LA’s definition.

No, we are looking at residential schools. We beleive this would be better for him due to the reduction in transitions, consistent staff and peers

Has DS had a social care assessment? That can help with getting a residential placement. As can an OT assessment.

He had an OT assessment who identified he would benefit from farm therapy and working with animals and that he needs 2 to 1 support. Social Care undertook an assessment and just simply left every box blank and wrote "family meeting needs"

You need to ask the LA to go back to social care. That isn’t a sufficient response.

If the OT used the words “would benefit from”, you need to go back to them too. It doesn’t mean DS will actually receive that. I would benefit from £1million. Doesn’t mean I am going to get it.