Cheshire LEA - IPFs and statements

[Boboma]

I posted on here recently about whether I should apply for a statement for my DD who has severe speech delay (you all said that I should). Well, I spoke to the SALT today and we are going to apply for funding. When I asked if this was for a statement, she said that Cheshire LEA does it a bit different and that they have a sort of sliding scale of 2 levels of 'individual pupil funding, IPF' and it is not until level 4 that it is a 'statement'. Is it only Cheshire who are doing this? Anyone got any experience of it? My gut instinct was to be a bit cynical about it..., but I suppose it depends on how good the LEA is about quantifying support and sticking to it at the IPF, non statement level. I'll probably call IPSEA and or AFAISIC to ask for advice, but you lot are my first port of call :)
Thanks for your help

West or East Cheshire?

East

Yes, east do that. I'm West and I don't know the system here, probably will find out on Monday at my school meeting. I only know that East do what you describe because a friend lives in East and she's currently just jumping through all the hoops for her dd(7). They only had IPF for 2 terms and statement has been awarded with little fuss over the holidays. They did have to fight for IPF and they did have to instigate the statory assessment themselves but they got there in the end. If its any help I know that she got 5hrs TA a week on IPF and was told to get more she would need her dd to have a statement.

Thanks for that. I guess we can see where we get to doing that sort of thing too. I wouldn't mind just some extra funding now (she's only in nursery 3 days) and then apply for a statutory assessment ourselves a few months before she starts school. Its a bit of a steep learning curve all this, eh? I hope that thins go OK for you on Mon.

Hi, Yes i have experience . We are also in East Cheshire.
Ds (13) hasn't a statement but has had funding for 15 hours a week for the last four years. This has been renewed every year for 3 years without fuss.When his funding is coming up for review, we have a really usefull meeting in the school where his performance in each subject is looked at ...also his ieps...and also any issues that have cropped up recently.Then the senco puts together a pack to send off to the LEA which basically asks that the current level of funding be maintained.

Thanks Troutpout. That sounds really positive. Ooooh, I am hoping that my initial cynicism about this system is proved wrong [fingers crossed].

Yes.... I was also cynical at first...particularly because it was a brand new thing when ds first got funding and he was the first child to present at secondary school under this new system. I went with it thinking 'ok if it goes pearshaped.. i'll just go for a statement'...but so far it's been fine.

Plesae remember - support that is delivered because it's written in a Statement must be delivered - that's the law.
Support that you rceive without a Statement can be withdrawn at any time.

Also, an assessment for a Statement is a much more comprehnsive multi-disciplinary assessment designed to identify all your child's difficulties - not just those that may be apparent to a teacher untrained in making a full assessment of a child's needs.

That's the differnce between what the are offering you and a cast iron Statement.

And that's why you should ignore the LA's promises and go straight for a Statement that forces the LA to deliver the support your child reuqires.

Agree, as always, with WetAugust.

It doesn't matter how different LEA's dress it up, be it CRISP assessments, IPFs, IPAs, whatever, the fundamental fact is this:

A Statement of Special Educational Needs is a legal document which secures (if properly completed) specified and quantified provision for a child. NOT funding. Funding is irrelevant and immaterial to the child or their parents. It details the Special Educational Needs of the child, and what provision is required to meet those needs. Once a Statement is in place, a parent can appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (previously SENDIST) against either wording, provision, specifity or quanitification, school placement, whatever.

Any CRISP, IPF, IPAs, etc. are not legally binding, they do not secure provision and they do not guarantee funding.

You could have an 'agreement' that says your DS needs 15 hours per week of 1:1 support. Another child arrives with similar needs, and suddenly that funding has to stretch, so they reduce support. If the 15 hours was in an IPA, etc., you don't have a leg to stand on. If it was in a Statement, you'd be straight on to the LA, then First Tier Tribunal.

DO NOT be fobbed off.

Oh Yes...i would definitely push for assessment and an official dx Boboma. Ds was assessed and given dx before getting funding. He had an ados assessment and was given dx by the camhs team here in East cheshire. Perhaps this is why they have never questioned funding?.The system here in Cheshire East does appear to be very different to others.

Well put Lougle - it's not about funding at all.

Would have to agree with both WetAugust and Lougle here.

This is not legally binding, support can be withdrawn at any time. What they are giving you actually means nothing in legal terms. Its just another devolved funding scheme and these types of schemes are disasterous for many children with special needs.

I'm in East Cheshire,my dd2,3.6,has severe language delay & hypermobility.With the help of the CDC(Winsford)we applied for IPF,but the LEA said she needed a SA,which was great news.We have had a visit by the ed psych & are just waiting now for the result.
Although our physio said East Cheshire are very relutant to SA!!

Yes thanks for making that clear Wet August and Lougle. I do completely understand the differences in legality between the two. I will likely play the way that East Cheshire has it set up just now though after discussing more with SALT. SALT said that the appeal goes to the same panel and is the same process for a statement ie we still need reports from all the professionals and will get the support quantified. We already have had a lot of input from paediatrician, CDC, geneticist (if needed) and SALT so the reports will be no problem. I'm not expecting a Dx though - I know that there isn't one, she's a mystery! I will ask about educational psychologist though. It does does sounds from the people that have replied from East Cheshire that they are not just trying to cop out, and at least the option of statutory assessment is still there before we get to school stage if necessary.
Thanks for all your help