Quick - help!

[ReasonableDoubt]

Awaiting panel decision on DS's statement.

Case officer just left message to say 'panel have agreed a consultation' and that he will get back to me with a timescale a.s.a.p'. Now not answering phone.

What does this mean??????

Dunno...will check.

Statement was issued late June (original statement locked in DH's drawer, so dont know exact date).

Amended statement (parts 2 and 4 amended) issued 9th July.

8.57 SEN COP says LEA have eight weeks from the time we name school in Part 4 to issue the final statement.

Ah found it! 8.63 talks about the LEA having to consult the school named by the parents and show them the statement. Why? Surely the school doesn't decide if it can meet the child's needs, the LEA does?

my La sends papers out to the schools in question asking whether they can meet needs.

I think this is to gather evidence that parents don't know anything about the system, as of course, if a school says it can meet needs, then it can meet needs (despite the fact that, for eg, the school is given only the LA side of the paperwork, and so thereofre a sanitised version of needs. d1's "statement" was sent out at this stage - it didn't specfy or quantify any provision, just stipulated an ASD school. funnily enough, each school said it could meet needs when in fact dd1 needs full time 1 to 1)

I don't understand, though. Why go through all this LEA panel rigmarole if ultimately the school gets to decide if they can meet my son's needs or not?

The Head of the school was a nice woman, seemed very sympathetic and gave us some off-the-record advice, so all good signs. But she did say on several occasions 'I work for the LEA so am in a difficult position and can't really show any preference'.

(Btw, the SEN COP says that the original statement, amended statement and all appendices including parental contribution MUST be given to the named school, so will be checking this has been done!).

tribunal - do you mean get them to give us the final statement without the school we want named in Part 4?

I don't think schools can give a flat out no to refusing without v good reason. I think some schools try and get more hours/extra resources out of the LEA during the consultation period.

It was a useful period for us as we'd found out if DS1 had a toiletting accident they would have called me in to deal with it everytime. (he is usually o.k but does go through spells where needs changing). LEA made it v v clear that was not to happen and if they did ring me I was to ring the LEA and they would sort it.

Thanks all.

Polar - how long did it take in your case? I am not prepared to wait around endlessly while the LEA and school faff around ticking boxes. It's nearly a month since the original statement was proposed, term is nearly over, nothing gets done in August etc. I am getting sick of all the fannying around!

I think from LEA approaching the school to LEA confirming school happy etc took maybe a week?
In your case as it's so close to end of term everyone would benefit from a quick decision. May be worth ringing your school of choice to see what they have to say. e.g. it just has to go through certain procedures.

Sorry, am on two threads simultaneously now, greedy cow!

ROTFL!