Cooeeeeeeeee SCOTTISH mums - want to have a regular thread - here- as our systems seem so different? xx

[mumoftrio]

I want a place to chat to other scottish mums

Hi. Another Scottish mummy here! While we all have lots in common on the SN Board, youre right, that our Educ. and Legal Systems are different.
So, chat away!

I totally agree but don't know how many of us are on here. Wonder if it's better to flag up Scottish angle when putting up new posts?

Was there a particular question someone had?

good idea!

all this reception class, statementing and school action+ talk baffles me....although thats not hard most days!!

I would find it useful if Scottish messages were flagged, as I never have time to read all the messages!

good idea, whereabout is everyone? We are in Aberdeenshire.

North Lanarkshire, just outside Glasgow

Yes - I know English mums would find it hard to believe but the system here is so much more limited and parent unfriendly - without statements there is no effective way to have parental views on education even considered. I am about to request time off DS's school to do more ABA at home so watch this space. I know I won't get any funding but can finance basic program from benefits and own money. That is my view at least in relation to provision for ASD children but others might feel differently.

Hi everyone, another Scottish mum in South Lanarkshire.

We're in Alloa. My DS is three, so only just starting to look into education side of things but my rough understanding would be that there are some things that are better here and some that are worse, compared to down south.

Biggest prob I see at present is the relationship between Scottish gvt and councils. This means no money is ringfenced and councils are not answerable to SG or anyone else. This meant that £34m that was allocated to Scotland from London over last three years (as our share of new funding there specifically aimed at SN childcare and respite) was handed to councils by SG to spend as they chose. The campaign group 'for Scotlands Disabled Children' (funded by various charities) has been looking into this. Most councils won't say what theydid with it, probably just incorporated it into their coffers Nd frittered it away. Google fSDC if you want more info.

Anyway sorry for wordy response, I work in pitics is my only excuse....

That should have said 'politics'. LOL.

I should have said, I think highland council may have got an honourable mention responding to fSDc campaign. Otherwise, I think all our councils need a bloody good kick up the arse!!

hello, we live in paisley and have so far had a great experience, education-wise. ds is 4.10 and attending split placement mainstream/language unit nursery during his deferred year.

is in Edinburgh.

I'm not sure you do have it worse . I have looked into relocating to Ayrshire, and I phoned the Ed Psych there. She said 'phone when you are moving, and we'll arrange a place in the Special school'. Just like that . It took me 6 months of Statutory Assessment, and a 17 page document to get DD1's special school place down here.

I think this is related to SookieD's point that some things are better and some worse. I know parents locally who are happy with Sn provision and it definitely does work for them and their circumstances. I think if you approach an Ed Psych in Scotland with a child in already SN provision in England they will assume SN is the correct provision up here .( and they may be right ) as the mainstream system in Scotland has fewer opportunities for SN children than in England

Between Aberdeen and Inverness here - our local authority used to be well respected and families used to relocate here because of our reputation. Sadly no longer the case. My theory is that the smaller local authorities will become part of the larger ones and disappear e.g. Aberdeenshire will become part of Aberdeen City etc. But don't quote me on that its just my theory. And it means that services will suffer

im in west lothian

myra

hi guys

thats a good idea sookieD to flag up scottish angle when puttingup a new post

I huess we could just write

SCOTLAND- having issues approaching school re IEP or something and anyone is then welcome to chat of course on it as we are all mums together.

we are in central belt too

willow - really intested to see how you get on love.

where abouts are you?

Also, what is ABA?

ps, sookie thats shocking - I didnt realise there was not ring fenced cash.........

shall we give a wee run down each of where we are at with our kids etc / the services involved?

would be nice to have a get together wouldnt it

Hi, I am in Ayrshire. Had a looong day, so speak tomorrow.

I'm in the central borders, but DS goes to school in Edinburgh as the provision is crap down here.

Hello. I'm in Tayside and have just finished a lengthy and bitter fight with our LEA in order to get a place in a special school for my dd.
It went to court but the Sheriff awarded dd a place.
Our LEA were very disingenuous and deceitful and their lawyer accused me of "A lifestyle choice" on our choice of school.

Our daughter is doing very well at her school and is extremely happy now.

I don't think we do any BETTER, it just seems more random and less transparent than statements to me, some people get lots of help, some don't.

My DD gets full time 1:1 at nursery at the moment but we are in constant fear of losing this as it's not official and written in stone, they seem to just make up their mind on a whim.