LA - Herts, Starlight?

[Larissaisonline]

After reading previous threads I am now completely obsessing about the whole statementing process. School applied for SA and it was refused. Have appealed on the basis that he is not making progress at school and have sent sendist EP report which backs this up.
Basically I know there are some of you who have has dealings with Herts - do you honestly think it was worth all the stress and hassle? Please be honest and I am really sorry if this post hasn't been worded in the right way IYSWIM, I just need to pick my battles for my ds (he is 5 with asd yr1)and would really appreciate your honest opinions.
TIA

Hi,

I am also in Herts and having struggles getting a Statement for my dd age 9yrs.
School know she is having problems but fail to see these and write reports stating she is doing well, has lots of friends-actually she has non and this little girl comes home crying every day as she just hates every minute of school-having no friends, not able to do the work etc.
I am meeting the EP today actually who is going in to meet my dd today and spend some time with her-it's a new one-she was seen by the old one 3yrs ago.
We are going to Tribunal on 15th Dec.....I will fight this for her till the end!!
BUT I really don't think we will win...

Thanks, it is so hard isnt it? My ds is very social but doesnt have full understanding yet and is not accessing the cirriculum. School are v. supportive and have said that he will get the help regardless of the statement but I guess I am worried as he is not disruptive and maybe doesn't seem "bad enough" to warrant a statement. All I know if he is way behind his peers (although he is the youngest which doesn't help either).
Have has timetable of schedule from sendist -
Nothing will hapen till January.
Good luck with your appeal.

Hi, Larissaisonline, i dont live in Herts, but have heard from here that Herts are notoriously bad for statementing.

But really no different from any other LA, any blanket policies they have are illegal.

Most if not all LA's refuse the 1st request for SA, many back down and agree once you lodge your appeal. It is worth fighting for.

Its all about lack of progress, so dont worry if your ds isnt disruptive. My ds isnt disruptive and many other children in the process of statementing are not disruptive.

It took in total 3 years to get a statement for ds. Yes I would say it was worth it. After 3 years of going down hill, loosing skills and developing difficult coping stratagies (mostly disruptive) he is now in sn school and at last beginning to thrive. However there has been a cost. So yes it was worth it but you must look after yourself!! (I got very ill -and I know of others whose health also gave way at about the same stage) Make sure you hgave time for enjoyment time to eat and breath!
I did not go to sendist when ds was turned down for support in reception - I was niaeve enough to beleive the professionals.
Good luck but take care of yourself.

What I should have said is I did not know about sendist - but I wish I had and queried the first rejection, because ds really suffered in those extra 2 years before they finally said yes to a SA. I feel guilty for that!!

Thanks guys - magso I too wondered if I should trust the professionals - I am glad I have decided not to after reading your post.

Thanks Claw, I hope your dc is ok- I read your post the other day - I hope things get easier for you.

Everyone seems to know so much about how the LA works - I honestly have no idea! If it wasn't for coming on here I really don't know what I would do.

Were Herts to had some battles though slightly easier as we arrived fro
essxe with statement though they reassess it right from scratch but luckily I had good independant reports which helped and ds needs were harder to ignore as such if came to tribunal

Know there's lot more battle over the asd provision in Herts

Thanks. Starlight I have CAT you (I think)