LEA has agreed to assess dd

[Peaceflower]

Hello, I've today received a letter from the LEA agreeing to assess dd. They have asked for a parental contribution and dd's contribution (she's 12) , by 14 September.

Now I've already submitted a comprehensive parental contribution, and it shouldn't take long to do dd's; the question is, if I send these in earlier than the deadline, would it speed the process up?

I would be grateful to hear if anyone has any experience of this.

Where we live I was told if they have all the information it can go straight to panel but I don't know if that happens everywhere and would depend on caseload anyway.

It would also depend if all the professionals get their information in on time.

You say that you have already submitted your parental contribution, but if that was for the request for assessment please be sure to resubmit it. I know it seems daft but you need to be absolutely sure they have everything and the questionnaire they should have sent you (Appendix A - parental advice) gives further opportunity to say what you see as dd's specific needs.

I presume by the timing you, like me, are anxious to have things sorted as soon as possible in the new term but there is a statutory timeline and I think it tends just to follow that.

That's my experience anyway, others may say different (and there are plenty unfortunately for whom it has taken much longer and much more fighting )

Well done for getting the LA to assess!

Did they send you the list of questions that are in the SEN Toolkit (from p.4)?

To be honest, I think no decisions will be made until all of the advice is submitted (including school and EP reports) so I would take your time and make sure your parental advice is as complete as it can be. I expect the school advice probably won't be completed before September as it's the holidays.

Definitely re-submit EVERYTHING. They will sometimes tell you that they've already got some things on file, but it might not be appended to the final statement. If you include it with your Advice, it HAS to be included.

The aim of the earlier advice you submitted was to convince the LA that SA was necessary. The aim of the Parental Advice for the statement is different - it's to determine what your DD's needs are and what provision is necessary.

So it's worth going back over it with a view to the kind of provision you want - SN school, 1:1, etc. and steer your comments in that direction.

Thank you both. I think what I need is someone to read through my parental contribution and suggest improvements. My parent partnership officer has said her colleague is willing (she's on hols), so I'll try her first.

It was a big relief when the Lea agreed to assess; I'm hoping the outcome will be what we're hoping for, in view of all the planned budget cuts.