school's use of statemented LSA hours

[PolarEyes]

DS1 has a statement, 25hrs lsa support (inc 5 from the school's own budget)

I am having a lot of issues with the school so composing a letter. DS1 isn't supported at breaktimes and lunchtime which totals 1hr 25 mins. So that should mean he has adequate hours for the rest of the time. But his lsa doesn't start til 9.15am so he is unsupported between 8.45 and 9.15. Now I totally understand the LSA must have a break herself, but should the school be making other provision?

They are applying for an extra 3 hours a week so his LSA can start at 8.45am to take him to the gym club that runs til 9am, but I am not really seeing the need for extra hours.

so how much time does he actually get?

I make it that he is getting 4.5hrs a day - so 30 mins short on what he has. but they are applying for 3 hrs a week so he can have 30 mins support first thing .

Does school start at 8.45 then?

when does school start?

Just read your post PolarEyes. What are the actual school hours, because if the gym cllub is outside school hours then presumably they are applying for the hours because of that.
What does his Statement specify in terms of support?

yes school starts at 8.45am. TA starts at 9.15am. He was at the gym club I mentioned, but since he has gone fulltime they have no one to take him there and back so they have stopped him going. (club lasts for 15mins i think)

I was a 1:1 TA for a while and was expected to take my breaks at other times, ie when the child was settled in the classroom. IMO, break and lunch are the priorities, as they are the most likely flash points

What a strange situation

agree wirg purplepidjin - I've worked in schools where TA stays with child at break

x-post with imahappycamper. club is in school hours. his statement is quite lame, (tried and failed to get them to amend it). says 25hrs of lsa support (of which 5hrs to be provided from school's own resources) to be deployed in accordance with school's timetable" and other waffle.

You need to look at the Statement. If it specifies that X has 1:1 during lesson time then they need to give it to him whether his TA starts at 8.45 or not.

ah more x-posts. I am not really happy how they are deploying the hours which is part of the letter i am writing. DS1 wanders around alone at lunchtime and SENCo said "of course he does he is autistic" and he "Needs that time to chill out". But his class teacher does not trust him so if no TA in the room he has to sit by his feet so am struggling to see how it is fine for him to be unsupported at breaks....

Also when his lsa is in a meeting (happened this week when SALT went into observe) there is no other lsa in the class. obviously not always possible but I get the impression meetings are quite regular (another professional observed a few weeks ago and TA was in a meeting). Is this standard?

If the statement is woolly, then you won't have a leg to stand on, to be honest.

25 hours of TA support isn't 25 hours 1:1. It is 25 hours of a TA being able to support him when he needs it, which is at their discretion.

In a MS school, break times and lunch time are classed as 'non-contact' times, so unless it is specified in the statement, the school aren't required to provide TA support then.

statement doesn't specify when he has 1:1, but if they are shorting him by 30 mins a day, isn't that a bit wrong?

What age is he?
How have you tried and failed to get them to amend it?

I know we can't make them support him at breaks. The main issue is the TA doesn't start til 9.15am so he is 30 mins short on classroom time a day which he does have the hours for on his statement.

he is 5. yes I tried and failed to get them to amend it, IPSEA told me I would lose at tribunal so didn't go that route.

At the risk of cross posting again I suggest you look at the IPSEA website. The Statement does not specify what help he should receive and Lougle is right it is at their own discretion to some extent but if his TA is not even available for 2 1/2 hours they are still falling short.

Thanks, just been looking. not sure if I should give them the opportunity to put it right before going down the more official route on the IPSEA site. Have several other ongoing issues

'said "of course he does he is autistic" and he "Needs that time to chill out".'

Say: Can you show me the research that supports that assumption? Can you show me the evidence you have used about ds to conclude that?
Please respond in writing.

I have challenged her statements in my letter. Also another one she said "not good to have an adult glued to him all the time". But they do phasing out support in the classroom?? I can already hear her answers. She has dealt with Lots of Autistic Children y'see.

You might want to read this - hanky at the ready...

I have also ripped into questionned the IEP targets. Somehow I don't think my letter is going to be well received.

Code of Practice 8.39

Parents should be consulted.

thanks - Have just read the press release but can't get the full SEN review to work. Will keep trying.

well we had a meeting but I was presented them and told to sign that I had seen them. , but on inspection I signed to say I agreed. This is the one who told me to google the fine motor skill programme. and also I am not happy about one of the targets being for DS1 to use a visual timetable when he already can and does. Seems like a waste?