statement q - Requesting more hours

[PolarEyes]

What is the process in asking for additional hours? DS1's school feel that the 25hrs he currently has is not enough (though through comments from his teacher we think the school are not supplying their 5 hours in the form of a TA but doubt they would officially admit it).

The final statement was issued in May, though DS1 only started school start of September. Teacher said it was too soon to apply as they would need more evidence, but obviously we are very concerned about leaving DS1 unsupported.

School need to ask for an emergency review and go from there; I think ds3's first was held at six weeks into the school year.

Thanks. Do the parents get to see the paperwork involved? e.g. what their grounds for asking for more are.

Sacti is right the school can ask for a review which should be done by the head. You will be sent copies of everything, this should be done at the same time as it is sent to the la. They will more than likely get a reassessment from ep done. Unfortunately it is not a quick process a may take a few months if new assessment is needed. What they can do, which my ds's school are doing is, make a date for the review and get the evidence together in the mean time. By the way ds's statement was finalised in June and he started in September too so it can be done.

Thanks for explaining how it works. I've never actually met the head - not sure she'd get involved tbh.
I am 99% sure they are holding back 5 hours so that DS1 is in a situation where he fails enough for the required evidence and it just feels so very wrong. I'm putting a letter together asking various questions, one of which is when they are going to apply and it if seems to far off I will suggest what you and your school are doing [get date for review first].

Hi Polareyes. We have just been through this and had the review yesterday.

We first emailed the school our concerns who then in turn arranged a meeting, where we explained we would be pushing for full time hours, and if we didn't get would they fund the difference (currently 17 hours)bit cheeky I know, but it got them to pull their socks up. The senco then got in touch with the sendo (I think thats what there called) and all the other professionals, for us this included autism specific SALT, child physc, OT, lady who comes from LEA and ed phyc.
We then sat around the table giving various evidence on behaviour and what we thought Alfie's needs are.

The Sendo has various guidelines to follow and you basically have to persuade them.
We have had Alfie's hours upped so it can definitely be done, but you do really have to fight your corner ifykwim.

Good luck

thanks Alfiemama, glad you managed to get the hours needed.

DS1's Specialist Teacher rang to sort out an appt and I told her what the class teacher said. She is of the opinion 25hrs is more than enough to him and can't understand why he is unsupported both morning and at all break times so thinks they are allocating them incorrectly. She also said that it is v unlikely we would get full hours for DS1 as they would have to be failing to meet his needs which atm they are claiming to the LEA person who goes in everything is going well .

I do feel the school just want extra hours and I don't actually believe if they go them they would be used for DS1. I am bit torn as to what to do as moving DS1 would be a huge disruption and there is no guarantee that moving him elsewhere would be any better. aaargh.