Meeting, school, LEA proposed statement..

[starfish71]

Have just had an email from LEA saying that school should be getting in touch with me to arrange a meeting for next week where we can all discuss the proposed statement.

I am not happy with it as school are not very ASD friendly and although in statement it gives 15 hours of support nothing is quantified or specified and although all professionals involved have stated DS2 (6) needs a unit placement there are not any places available at the moment.

Dropped DS off this morning no mention of a meeting, it is so annoying dealing with the school. To be fair his teacher this year is trying but there is no structure, proper support and it really feels as though they don't care because he will be off somewhere else before year 3!!

I hate meetings but want the best for my son so advice grateful. am hoping to take advicer from SNAP cymru who has been helpful but as it stands we have a proposed statement, school that are just hoping I will go away and no place for my ds where I beleive he could come on in leaps and bounds.

Feel better just for writing this down. But support and advice grateful, thanks

Do you have an ASD team at your LA? I have been told Wales is different to England but if there is one they should be able to offer school training supprot and advice.

I used to hate meetings with DS' Junior School.My one aim was to get through without crying. I know that's no help to you, but just trying to show sympathy!

Oh thank you, it is so hard not to cry at meetings and come out of them without saying what you really need to. I think the Head of Additional learning at LEA has said that he will get our ASD team to go in and spend time with staff. Got to write things down I think, I forgot he told me that, thanks for jogging my memory!

Just bumping this and to add another question. School haven't approached me yet to tell me date and time of appt and as it is likely to be next week and I need hubby and SNAP advisor there shall I just ask tomorrow?

Know it sounds stupid but chap at LEA said to let them arrange it with me direct but school seem to be keeping me in the dark and just may say ' oh meeting next tuesday at 2' when I may not be able to get everyone I want there.

I am being a bit wet aren't I? Will just ask tomorrow!

Sorry it has been a long week.

Couple of things Starfish

You don't need to involve school - you can refuse. sorting out a Proposed Statement is bewteen you and the LA. School get asked later in the process if they can meet the support in the Statement that you've accepted.

i wouldn't involve school. You'll be outnumbered and they'll try to get you to settle for less than you want.

They (LA) shouild offer you a choice of 3 appointment dates.

definitely complain to the LA or this will drag on.

Don't forget - support does not have to be delivered until the Statement is finalised. Every day spent on this is a day your child is being denied proper support.
Best wishes

LEAs have a duty to specify special educational provision in statements of special educational needs ... there is an article on this on the IPSEA site which has info on this - lots of legal stuff but worth ploughing through ... www.ipsea.org.uk/Apps/Content/html/?fid=47

Thank you wetaugust and mothereve. Right I have some thinking to do over weekend.

I still wasn't told of meeting date this morning at school drop off. I rang LEA and found out appt is on 30th at 9.30 - they were very surprised that school haven't old me yet.

Think I will do some more research over weekend and arrange to see the lady at SNAP to think about what I need to do.

This is putting years on me and not quite sure what to do next.