Submitted Parent report for statement and have asked...

[Minx179]

to be informed when sons papers are to be presented before the committee.

I have asked to attend the meeting with a representative.

For a copy of all the papers which are to be presented. Including advice from the SEN department and full copies of the minutes

Has anybody else requested this and what was you LEA's response?

Pffftttt.

They'll have to give you all the paperwork, as it's part of the Data Protection thingy.

But as for attending? If you're lucky, you've got one of the 2 LAs in the country that allow parents to attend if they ask. Otherwise, if they're anything like mine, they'll say no.

They shouldn't! I wish you luck.

Am reading with interest because my parental report is due in on 14 Sept.

It hadn't even occurred to me to do what you are doing. Will you be permitted to take part in this meeting?

minx,

Would think unlikely that you will be allowed to attend this meeting, even with a representative (from PP?) in tow. It does not happen. You'll be fortunate if you even are told when the papers will be presented to them (are you referring to a panel meeting here).

This is how many LEAs usually work.

Would actually save your energies for the main process which usually start when the LEA say no to statutory assessment. That's when you can really start fighting their crass decisions.

I requested minutes from the panel which refused my parental request. All I was sent was a list showing the cases put to the panel that day and told that this WAS the minutes! All the children and their school along with their difficulties was recorded but all the details except my ds's were blacked out by felt tip pen. Trouble was, when I held the paper up to the light I could easily read all the details! 1 of the children I knew as he attends ds's school and I could see that his request was agreed. So much for the Data Protection Act. I also requested details of all paperwork held about my ds under FOI Act. Had to chase the LA as they did not send everything e.g behaviour support notes. I would be surprised if you are allowed to attend panel meeting.

It hadn't occurred to me to ask for this either, but I admire you for asking. Parents are given disdainful treatment from LAs, who expect their role to be minimal.

Let us know their response. I did ask for minutes after I was refused assessment but it didn't say much either.

Thanks for your replies.

I don't think they will let me attend. Though we are entitled. I just wondered if anybody else had asked and what their LEA's response was.

It was in the guidance notes in a book I have
that parents can make the above request (The Committe: Blocking strategy 4/5). I thought I would try, primarily as I know my ds does not meet the (illegal) criteria for a statement; though we have the backing of the pead, OT and EP. School have done a 360; no prob last year, or this year, until MA meeting.

If I could attend the meeting at least I would have some idea as to the reasons for refusal; I would know what area(s) to focus my energy on for the appeal. If we get the same inadequate letter we received 8 years ago, it will give no reason for refusal other than the school can meet his needs; even though they are now saying they can't.

I found writing the statement particularly difficult. Especially in deciding what/how much educationa information(lies) to hold back for the appeal.

Peaceflower - make sure you have the evidence to back up all your statements.

GMV - which are the two LA's?

Fighting the LA

That is cr@p. Since when have minutes consisted of a list of names?

Calls into question the validity of the panel if they cannot stipulate how/why a child gained/failed to gain a statement.

I know it's all down to money, but it makes you wonder how they manage to get away with such incompetence.

Perhaps that why they are so concerned at keeping parents out of proceedings.

Sugar Candy Monster
That's why i put in the request with my statement, they have it in advance, therefore they cannot say afterwards that they don't have them any longer.

I'll let you know what the LEA's response is.

Minx - I was refused for several reasons all of which were just nonsense e.g meets Nat.Curriculum levels,making steady progress etc etc. I wrote back arguing every reason they gave and referring them to the paperwork which had been sent which showed the only steady progress was towards exclusion. The EP and Behaviour Support people had been sent forms asking whether they agreed to assessment and what information they could give. Both had not bothered to fill out any of these sections which I thought was really awful. I also asked LA to confirm which experts they had consulted knowing full well that EP and BS had contributed nothing to the decision. LA would have found it very difficult to reply to my letter as I disputed everything they said and showed I wasn't going to go away. I never received a response as they suddenly decided to assess!

Oh and regarding illegal criteria I was also told that he didn't meet the criteria so asked them to provide full details of their criteria. I knew full well that their criteria was different from Sencop and that they would have problems if I took them to tribunal.

Minx

Forget the committee - it's the Education Officer who decides the content of a Statement.

LAs try to confuse parnets by telling them that 'committees' decide or 'panels' decide but legally the decision is solely that of the Education Officer.

They can use a committee or panel to advise or rubber-stamp the Education Officer's decision but ultimately the decision itself is taken by the Education Officer.

LAs know that. The Dept of Ed has even written to LAs reminding them that the decision is the responsibility of the Education Officer and telling them to stop 'hiding behind panels'.

That's why I'm saying ignore the Committee - concentrate on the Education Officer - that's where the real power lies.

Thanks again for the replies.

I wish I'd found this site years ago, I didn't realise what a difference it could make having others who think like me to bounce things off. At least now I know I'm now totally neurotic

Wet- Thanks. I realised the panel was a blocking strategy, but other than play their game, try and hack them off I wasn't too sure where to go with this.

Starlight I like your thinking.

No, we can't win, but what's the alternative?

I'll take every chance going to be a PITA in an attempt to get what ds needs.

Sorry, can I just butt in and ask who exactly the Education Officer is? Throughout all our Statementing process and one Annual Review, I have never been aware of such a person! Now this could be a real d'uh moment, but are we talking about the Head of SEN? Or the Senior Ed Psych? The only other senior person on our Panel was the Head of Disabled Children's Services (and I was told it was she who had said no to increased provision, God love 'er). I would LOVE to know which of these folk the buck legally stops with

Cerys - The EO as I understand it, has overall responsibility of educational provision in the LA. It is the EO who has overall responsibility for setting budgets, deciding when Welfare Officers become involved with truancy issues etc, outlining the illegal matracies.

A panel is the LEA's means of devolving responsibility from the EO; panels are usually made up of staff from the LEA SEN dept, representative from the Ed Psych dept, headteachers, authority advisers and individuals from the Childrens Dept. One of those will chair the meeting and makes the final decision but essentially the buck stops with the EO.