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Original poster

Can you give me plenty of ammo please

24 replies

Mreid · 21/10/2010 19:01

Just recently found out about IEP's (yes, empty promises). Only to discover my daughter as been on them since reception, she is now in year 4. Nobody discussed all this with us and obviously unable to contribute to the plans. She as had 9 in all and is on SA. Can't believe that I have found out now because it all stems down that I told her teacher in Feb that I wasn't happy with her progress. Then it started off a little snowball and getting bigger each day. Arranged for meeting with head teacher as I could explode because of all the lack of communication and rubbish SENCO. She is working at Level 1...which should speak volumes. I have taken plenty of good advice already on here...thank you all. Tried PPartnership (useless). Involved with IPSEA now an waiting for code of practice docs to arrive. Why hasn't she moved up to Action Plus to be assessed for any learning disability. I don't want to go in the meeting and be left feeling small like last time. I want to have everything written down with loads of questions to throw at them and ready with the answers. NO MORE BEING FOBBED OFF!!!

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Peaceflower · 21/10/2010 19:35

I was going to use the shock emotion, but sadly, I'm not shocked at all. This happens all too often had makes me want to weep.

Put on your best warrior armor and let battle commence!

Original poster
Mreid · 21/10/2010 19:36

Soooooo Ready Peaceflower

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Original poster
Mreid · 21/10/2010 19:43

I feel so guilty as I have felt that something was wrong for 2 years...that gut feeling. But no stupid me listened to the teachers about her taking at her pace. I feel guilty, angry, upset, frustrated...the list goes on and on. I feel I have let her down, this is all new to me and it's mind blowing.

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Al1son · 21/10/2010 19:49

Don't beat yourself up! You did what loads of us did and listened to professionals who should know what they're talking about. My DD was 12 before I realised I'd been being fobbed off for years.

Save the recriminations. You need every ounce of energy to fight for her in the here and now.

Good luck.

Original poster
Mreid · 21/10/2010 20:17

Thank you....This mumsnet is amazing, most of the knowledge and good advice is on here...you're all angels

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Original poster
Mreid · 21/10/2010 20:21

Sorry...just want enough under my belt as possible...if you know what I mean.

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childrenofthecornsilk · 21/10/2010 20:27

code of practice says that parents should be involved
parents are supposed to be informed when child is placed on SEN register

childrenofthecornsilk · 21/10/2010 20:28

you should be able to look at the code of practice online and you can also send for a hard copy

fightingthezombies · 21/10/2010 20:48

Outrageous! Don't be fobbed off - you need to get your dd support quickly as secondary school will be here before you know it. They really should have discussed IEP's with you -how else can you know what progress is being made? Am [hangry] on your behalf. Hope meeting goes well - kick butt.

IndigoBell · 21/10/2010 21:10

Your DD needs to be assesed by either the Ed Psychologist or the SpLD (Specific Learning Disability) team.

Don't bother arguing about whether she's on School action or school action+. Just concentrate on getting her referred to one or both of those services.

Sorry PP were rubbish for you. If possible take someone else with you when you go see the HT.

All I can recommend is being the biggest PITA mum ever. Don't leave her office until they promise to refer DD immediately. (Easier said than done)

The SpLD team is free to the school and an unlimited resource (unless your LEA is diff to mine...) So just don't take no for an answer.

The Ed Psych is a limited resource. And they will tell you there are other kids who need it more....

They may well not know about the SpLD team - but PP will be able to give you all the details, including whether it's free to schools.

Sorry. But just be an absolute demon....

Original poster
Mreid · 22/10/2010 10:16

Thank you all....I am going demand for referral. My husband is coming with me to see Head T. Received copy of code of practice this morning. Have all next week to have my fight thoroughly prepared for meeting.Indigo I live in Preston,Lancs I also agree It's not worth and too late to bother with SA or SA+. I am going to be the devil in knickers. The battle is well and truly on.

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Claw3 · 22/10/2010 11:10

Have they now given you copies of the 9 IEP's now? if not i would asking for them and focussing on how many of the targets have been met.

Original poster
Mreid · 22/10/2010 15:01

Yes Claw I got 9 copies yesterday was shocked that she as been on them since Reception. On 3 of them it said parents present even though no input or signatures on any of them just shocked and overwhelmed by it all. Only found about all this in the last 4 weeks. Trying to get as much information so I can fight for her. Last meeting with SENCO was refused outright that she would not be assessed but I feel after all these IEP's and working at Level 1 that should be evidence but I know they will try and fob me off (not happening).

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Claw3 · 22/10/2010 17:27

Has your dd every met a target Mreid?

Original poster
Mreid · 22/10/2010 21:58

What do you mean claw...with IEP's? Going to look in depth tomorrow with them all. I know on some of them they haven't wrote anything regarding if targets was made. I am unsure about some things as I have said I have only found out about IEP a couple of weeks ago. Just got to rely on people like yourselves who have the knowledge and great advice.

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Original poster
Mreid · 22/10/2010 21:59

My apologies for taking time to reply to you all....everyone fights for the laptop in my house...thanks again everyone it is truly appreciated.

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Taysh1109 · 22/10/2010 22:14

That is outrageous. It makes me so angry. The only advice I can give is dig your heels in and stand your ground. You are entitled to know about these things and you should have been involved from the word go.

One thing I have found, not necessarily from my experiences with DD as she is really young still; but from the other side - working as a member of a team supporting young people with SLD in residential care - as far as parents are concerned, unfortunately it's the old saying: "Those who shout loudest... get heard!"

Claw3 · 23/10/2010 11:19

Mreid, best way to describe it is to give you an example. Ds's IEP has 5 colomns.

  1. Target.
  2. strategies and resources
  3. provision - who and when?
  4. success criteria
  5. evaluation.

So for example if you dd is having problems with reading.

  1. to develop dd's reading skills is the target.
  1. dd to receive guided reading session 3 x week is the strategy and resources.
  1. class teacher - guided reading for 15 minutes 3 x week is the provision and who and when.
  1. dd to be able to read 10 new words is the success criteria.
  1. is whether she has achieved reading 10 new words. Evaluation.

Then on the next IEP, 1 - 3 would stay the same, but the success criteria should now be 20 new words and so on.

Obviously the above is only an example, but i get the feeling your IEP's are going to be nothing like that!

Claw3 · 23/10/2010 11:27

Oh and have to say it seen as no one else has mentioned it yet. Have you thought about applying for a statutory assessment? if your dd hasnt/isnt making any progress might be a better idea than battling with the school, a more constructive way of dealing with it, if you like.

IndigoBell · 23/10/2010 18:55

Yes, making progress is a good point. Obviously if she is in year 4 and a level 1 then she hasn't made good progress - but has she been making progress at all?

What I mean is if she made a level 1 in year 2 and has stayed a level 1 for 2 years then she has made no progress - which is a slightly different story than working your way through the P scales and then moving on to a level 1.....

If she is making no progress than you will have a much stronger case. Not sure if they'll tell you though what her levels were at the end of every year.....

I can guarantee they will tell you she has been making good progress :). Remember to look up the legal defn of adequate progress. Ask if she has been making adequate progress and watch their face fall.... (Then calmly take out your defn and ask again :) )

Original poster
Mreid · 23/10/2010 19:41

Thank you all....your advice means alot

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Claw3 · 23/10/2010 19:57

If school tell you your dd is making good progress, ask them how they know this. Ask them how progress has been monitored and how it has been decided if the strategy has been a success.

The only way to measure progress, is by meeting targets. Targets are often mismatched to show progress in areas where there wasnt a need in the first place. Help and targets have to match the need.

My ds for example all his needs were self care, social, emotional, communication. Yet his targets were to be able to count to 10, this wasnt a need in the first place!

Personally i would cut out the middle man (school) and apply directly for a statutory assessment and a statement.

Good luck.

IndigoBell · 23/10/2010 20:43

defn of adequate progress

Original poster
Mreid · 24/10/2010 14:50

thanks again claw and indigo

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