Statements ?

[snoppymum]

My 9 year old child has just been given a Statement by the LEA after a year of fighting with them for it. My childs support is 20 hours a week besides other support written in the Statement for extra help in emotional support, on paper the Statement looks very good. The school named in the Statement (Mainstream) says it can meet his needs with the extra support.

I was pleased about this in the begining but as time as gone on I have learned that my childs 1-1 support also teaches another 4 children along with my child and there is no 1-1 time with my child. The school assures me this is for my childs best interest I am wondering is it or is it for the schools best interest ?? has anyone else had the same thing and can this be allowed please help (Thank You)

Hi
I'm not (yet) an expert, but it is my understanding that the contents of the statement are legally enforceable. The LEA are giving your school the funding for an additional 1:1, so maybe you should also raise your concerns with the LEA.

Others here will have more experience with this situation, as it seems to be common.

Well done on getting the statement, in any case. Still working on mine...

As is so often the case the devil will be in the detail. If you could copy what the SSEN says about the TA support I would be happy to comment further. I would suggest that you have been hoodwinked through LA weasel wording on this point. You are not alone. The key issue is whether with the additional support he has got better in school or whether there has been no improvement.
As the money has been delegated to the school the school will have been told by the LA that they must now deal with the issues. Case law is clear that this is not the case and that the school is the agent of the LA and the LA retains full responsibility for the execution of the SSEN.

How long since the statement was issued?

Also think you need to revisit the wording. May be difficult if the school won't back you up though. Would try speaking to the likes of IPSEA and SOSSEN to find out where you stand.

Thank you for all your advice!! The Staement was issued in 3 mnoths ago.

The last few days I have looked at the wording again with IPSEA and yes you have to be careful with the detail as there is not much you can do as the school can cover themselves the best thing to do is keep an eye on the Targets set in the IEP OR BEP as it will let you know if things improve. I hope everyone who is trying for a Statement has good luck getting one!!!!!!