I could scream....what can I do...

[Mreid]

I am furious with my daughters school because apparently she as been SA and had IEP's since starting school. She is in Year 4 and at level 1. Nobody as explained about IEP but I know a little bit (thanks to mumsnet). Parent Partnership Officer is not bothered and was fobbed off like I was by SENCO. The advice I need is can I get copies of previous IEP's. I personally think they have given my daughter easy targets on these IEP's as they keep saying she as met targets. How long do they leave them on SA as I really feel she as some kind of learning disability. It seems to me that if she is reaching the targets and making progress (extremely slow) everything is fine. Is it right that they have not communicated with me regarding the IEP. Where and what else can I do. It's so upsetting as they make me feel I am over re-acting. PPO attitude that she will always be at the bottom with achieving and you can't change the past. I am angry that I listened to the school all along.It's only because I told them in Feb that I wasn't happy and that's when all this IEP stuff came up. PPO explained what SA was on the IEP and then to find out she's been on it all the time. I feel I have hit the largest wall in the biggest maze. PLEASE HELP!!

Sorry MReid. Same thing happened to me.

AFAIK it is illegal to not inform you that your child is on the SEN register. And IEPs are definitely meant to be reviewed with a parent.

You are not overreacting - but nor can you change the past.

Only thing that helped me was moving school :(

However that hasn't actually helped my DD - just helped me.

If she has some kind of a learning disability I think she needs to be seen by the Ed Psych.

You need to turn in the PITA mum from hell...

You need to review her current IEP - and make sure it has proper SMART targets on it you're happy with....

You need to investigate other schools.....

Year 4 and level 1!!!!!!!

That means she is working at the level of a Year 1 child.

You need to make the hugest fuss. She obviously does have a learning disability.

Has she really never been seen by an Ed Psych????

I'm sorry. But this school is terrible.

I had to fuss and moan to get an IEP...and its rubbish. Were thinking of moving school next year and have insisted on referral to EP. Its hard, Im trying not to be PITA Mum but I think I need to for DD!

Good luck!!!

...on the plus side they have actually taken the time to do IEP's for her. But while she may be meeting the IEP targets, there must still be some concern about her progress, or she wouldn't still be on SA.
Advice from an Ed Psych might be in order.

In most areas you can refer your child to an Educational Psychologist yourself - the details should be somewhere on your local authority or health authority website..

You have a right to see your child's school records (which I assume would include IEPs) - though it can take a while to get them and you might have to make an appointment to go and get them. You don't need to give a reason as far as I know - just apply to the chair of governors. You might want to specify that you are interested in the IEPs in particular - otherwise they might hand you a file - but have the IEPs on a computer or something silly.

I'd also take a look here at the SEN code of practice. This tells you roughly what school should be doing, feel free to quote it at them when they don't.

Thanks IndigoBell,
I was handed an IEP with no explanation and SENCO as refused her to be seen by ED Psych. I know I need to change schools but worried about her settling because she is extremely quiet in school and her brother is happy. I thought I might get some joy with Parent Partnership Officer but I haven't. PPO and SENCO have said she is making progress even though it is slow. My point is I want to see all IEP's to see what targets they have set because I feel they have set achievable ones so they can keep her on SA. Is there no limit with IEP's given for her to go up to SAplus and get outside help. I know there is something there. I think they have been out of order with these IEP's I wasn't aware of this and certainly no reviews. I feel tehy are pussy footing around for e.g meeting with teacher as requested by PPO to find out what level she is at and she was blabbing on about lower level 2 in this subject and middle level 2 in that. Meaning end of year target as SENCO told me she is at level 1 now. On this IEP it says she will be receiving lexia (program for phonics)daily (this was 3 weeks ago) had it first time yesterday. Excuses program?computer not working...waiting for schedule. They are making me feel it's me making a fuss over nothing. Dissapointed with Parent Partnership...I thought I had been thrown a life line and somebody with knowledge and understanding with how I feel but instead took the SENCO's word as gospil.

Thank you all

Mreid,

You will keep being messed about like this unless you start to kick arse firmly.

You are your child's best and only advocate here; she is being failed in school here and to my mind should have a Statement.

I would certainly look into changing schools asap: this one is not interested. I would also see if you can self refer to an EP.

IEPs (they are also known on here as Individual Empty Promise) really are not worth the paper they are written on as this is not a legally binding document. You should be able to request copies of previous IEPs via school. BTW the IEP should be discussed beforehand at school and with the parents present; it should never be presented to them already completed.

PP are often in the grip of the LEA here (,y PP work out of the same building as the LEA) so are not fully impartial. For impartial advice apart from on this board that is, you need to contact either IPSEA, ACE or SOSSEN as they are fully independent.

If she is a level 1 then she is not making adequate progress.

In the SEN COP there is a definition of adequate progress. Which essentially boils down to making the same progress as her peers.

Her peers are making 1 to 2 sub levels of progress a year - she obviously is not.

At the start of Year 4 she should be at least a level 3c. So if she was a 2a it would be practically OK - but a level 1 is not OK.

A level 1 means she cannot work independently.

The government expects children to leave year 2 on a level 2b.

The reason I know all this is because I'm having exactly the same problems with my DD.....

So essentially - it's not good enough for them to say she's making progress - they have to prove she is making adequate progress.

I do want to see her previous IEP's to see what targets they had set for her and her school file. Can they refuse and should I ask through the school governors as advised by madsadlibrarian. If I self refer for ED Psych will they refuse because if they go by info from school I'll have no chance. I do I go about changing schools, will I be able to get my 2 children in a decent school and will it go against us that I have taken them out because the school as let my daughter down. I know deep down changing school is for the best because I really detest the school so much with everything that as gone on. This advice by you all is really appreciated because you feel so alone and confused...thank you all so much

www.teachernet.gov.uk/management/atoz/p/pupilrecords/ for more details on parents' right to access school records

Schools understand that if you are moving school without moving house than it is because there has been problems with the old school. It won't 'go against you' - but you need to choose a school which has a better SENCO and is more inclusive.

Firstly you need to find out if a school has a place, than explain why you want to move to them, and decide if you think they will be better.

To decide if a school is good or not don't look at their SATS results. Schools with good SAT results may do so at the expense of being inclusive of children with SEN.....

I don't think any EP will refuse to assess if you say that your DD is a level 1 in Year 4. There is absolutely no way anyone can claim there aren't problems with that level of attainment.

But first of all find out about moving schools. Then the new school should refer to the EP....

Honestly, you have been treated absolutely appallingly and most schools will be better.

Thank you very much IndigoBell I really appreciate your advice. I do think it is time to do this and I agree it as been disgusting and I am requesting her records and IEP's as well because they have totally kept me in the dark. Thanks again