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What is the point of a CAF/TAC meeting?

70 replies

KatyMac · 15/09/2010 11:39

How is it intended to work?

Is it of benefit? If so how?

OP posts:
KatyMac · 17/09/2010 07:47

And the paranoia & distress they are causing me far outweighs any small amount of help they can provide for DD

OP posts:
GoodDaysBadDays · 17/09/2010 08:26

I'm reasonably new to the CAF process but we are in the process of putting one together for ds1 (13). We've only just started pulling in and using support wrt ds but am further down the same line with ds3 (3.3)

We're possibly unusual in that we've had fantastic support every step of the way with ds3 and I've always felt included in decisions and while this has not been the case with ds1, I have some really good support. Our CAF and TAC meetings have always proved very useful and have been good at helping all the professionals =s work together for my ds's.

But my point is, in a CAF meeting (as with TAC and professionals meetings) do you not get to name the lead professional as someone of your choice? This has been our case and it means I know I can trust them to really be working with and for us.

We also have fantastic family workers both boys who are available to us whenever we need and understand the bigger picture not just a specialised area so are great at getting things done.

Do you have this support at all or is the support you have been offered not up to scratch? There should be someone to help and support you with all the. My HV was also brilliant in the early stages before others were involved.

I found ds1's family support worker through a support group I had avoided in the past, how I regret not going sooner. Maybe find out about groups that you could attend, specific to your dd's needs or a more general group support parents. If it's an informal group they can't stop you going surely?

This is not very useful for the immediate future but could make a difference longer term. Good Luck and I hope there's someone you find to give you some support you deserve!

desertgirl · 17/09/2010 08:31

Katy, I'm far from an expert but would be inclined not to say 'I feel I would have been better served by....' as to them it may come across as still arguing with them, whereas you need to save your 'arguing' for the key points; agree with them as much as possible on everything else. You could agree beautifully on this one simply by leaving out that sentence - then it shows you followed up on their recommendation, the recommendation may have been appropriate at the time (I know you think it wasn't and you are probably right, but it is a case of picking your battles).

If you want to say more than just your first sentence, say something like 'I have arranged for more general counselling privately' which I think you said is the case?

And on the first point; if you can, put 'I need you to help me see why you are right' not 'why you think you are right' just because 'why you think you are right' comes across a lot worse..... yes I know what you mean, but the revised sentence doesn't actually say they are right, really!

KatyMac · 17/09/2010 08:53

I have changed those bits

Gooddaysbaddays - I have participated in a CAF as a professional & unless the parent involved were spectacularly good actors this was a positive and helpful experience for them. It hasn't been for me. This issue is the support I had arranged has been removed - full stop - no discussion & that I am not being told how this will help DD

OP posts:
KatyMac · 17/09/2010 09:09

Wish me luck - keep me calm

I'm off

OP posts:
justaboutawinegumoholic · 17/09/2010 09:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatyMac · 17/09/2010 11:22

OK

They told me how well she was doing in lessons
Then they told me about the lessons she was having problems in
They told me she hadn't been upset at school
Then they told me that she had been upset on Tuesday & Friday last week plus Monday this week.
They told me she was fine & never needed help
Apart from Tues, Fri & Mon oh & that she went to student services every morning to see them & say hi Hmm???
They asked about DH's health & said how hard that was for DD
They asked about my health, which is fine & my CBT which I don't need - Oh they said isn't that lovely
They asked about DLA & had an absolute fit about it. I suggested that they sort it out with the DLA
We discussed DD not going to the loo at school & not drinking enough which the school said they knew nothing about (I told them last Sept in writing)
Oh & it's not bullying it's teasing

The CAF was nearly closed as I said it didn't matter as long as everyone was talking to each other, but the Psychologist asked for it to be kept open

Lots of progress....not but at least no other discussions were brought up

OP posts:
GoodDaysBadDays · 17/09/2010 12:55

Sorry Katy I must have misunderstood!

Doesn't sound like a very productive meeting for you or your dd today. Sorry to hear that :(

Have no advice as you're obviously more experienced than me with the process anyway! But hope that you do get some good support back and can move forward x

KatyMac · 17/09/2010 13:58

Just back from counselling

We reckon there is a whole heap of people who treat me in one way & some other people who treat me differently and I am bewildered by the difference. If everyone treated me in a way I didn't like then it would be me that had the problem & if a small number of people treated me one way & a larger number treated me 'badly' then on the balance of probability it would be my problem.

Does that make sense?

OP posts:
desertgirl · 17/09/2010 14:31

Can you think of anything apart from the way they treat you that is different between the two different groups of people?

was there any outcome of the meeting, apart from the fact that the CAF has been kept open (not sure what the implications of that are) - is anyone going to do anything different?

other than, presumably, very frustrated, how are you feeling about it all?

KatyMac · 17/09/2010 14:52

Actually I do feel better - DH came with me - which I think modified their behaviours somewhat

Plus the counselling has identified that (on brief inspection - this may change on closer examination) these people are treating me unusually & outside my experience.

But I am tired, very tired

Oh & nothing changes for DD anyway

OP posts:
desertgirl · 17/09/2010 15:51

glad DH was able to come with you despite everything going on with him.

Hope you can hang on in there for a while; it does all sound horrible. And I hope you get some really good sleep tonight.

justaboutawinegumoholic · 17/09/2010 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatyMac · 17/09/2010 23:09

TBH Justa I'm really not sure

It worries me that DD is outside student services each morning I can think of several reasons

  1. She wants to be in sight of adults
  2. She wants other children to think she tells adults everything
  3. She is waiting for them to ask her what is wrong

Her just hanging round doesn't make sense (iyswim)

I guess I need to consider alternative schooling whether HE, private or another comp I don't know - research here I come

OP posts:
justaboutawinegumoholic · 18/09/2010 09:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

KatyMac · 18/09/2010 09:07

She is adamant she wants to stay at school

I am planning on discussing it with her today - gently

OP posts:
justaboutawinegumoholic · 18/09/2010 09:20

This reply has been deleted

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KatyMac · 18/09/2010 09:55

Absolutely but I also need to know what's going on

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miopus · 03/03/2011 22:38

KatyMac

Keep on at the Lead Professional until she sorts this out for you

miopus · 03/03/2011 22:39

CAF cannot be closed until ALL the needs have been met.

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