We feel like we are being blackmailed, any help appreciated.

[alfiemama]

Sorry not been on here for a while, just had a beautiful daughter, so really don't need this hassle right now, but as usual the LEA seem to be playing games again.

As some of you may remember Alfie repeated reception and was given a statement prior to dx of mid range asd of 17 hours 1-1, however when he moved up to yr he struggled and wasn't receiving any help in the afternoons, so we brought the review forward and was told we could probably get band D funding but band E is probably what he would need and this would go to panel.

We have now received a letter that states that Alfie can have Band E funding on the proviso that he moved into his actual year group. This would be OK if Alfie was in the top set of his year he is in but he is struggling and in the bottom of his class.

How can we appeal this? Is there a tribunal we can take them to? For this to happen we feel would be disastrous for our son, surely they are just penny pinching and trying to get some of there funds (for funding a repeated year) back. Anyway this is NOT going to happen and I will fight them all the way on this.

Any help most appreciated.

Congratulations on the birth of your daughter

hopefully someone more knowledgable will come along, I would hazard a guess you would need to reject and then appeal the statement, taking you down the SENDIST www.sendist.gov.uk/ tribunal route. The main sticking point will be there is no legal right to repeat a year, however the LA did initially agree it. Try and contact IPSEA or SOS!SEN. ipsea.org.uk sossen.org.uk

Perhaps look into specialist units? Say o.k. you want him in his correct year group, he won't cope in mainstream so will need specialist provision instead? An ASD unit or Special School is likely to cost more than the "extra" year's education in MS. Do you have any reports/professionals prepared to support that he should remain in his current class? Also have they specified how they are going to handle the transition for him jumping up to year 2?

Thanks PolarEyes, some fantastic advice which we really appreciate.

So basically put the frightners on them and see if they back down. We have a number of professionals (child physc, specialist Salt and probably the paed) who agreed at the review meeting that Alfie was complexed and would need band E funding.

I will have a look at the websites but yes looks like we will have to take them to a tribunal.

No they haven't said how they will deal with the transition, don't think they particularly care.

Also check out the NAS website, as they have a directory of ASD schools which includes independent ones which are even more £££ than LA run.

Do try and get through to IPSEA or SOS!SEN, I think you may be on slightly thin ice as the law does support the LA re year group BUT the LA had also agreed to it previously so I don't know if this strengthens your case.

Worth seeing if any of the professionals would support you in keeping in YR1 - or at least do up to date reports to show where he is academically and what the LA will need to provide to help him being jumped to YR2

Good luck and I hope they cave.

He he he, Just received a call from the LEA after sending a very harsh worded email, basically threatening tribunal and press coverage. They apologised and said that the result had been recorded wrong at the panel meeting (cough cough bull ) and Alfie will be awarded band E in the year he is in with him being reviewed along the line with the hope he can move back into the year for his age.

Thanks again PolarEyes, you gave me the confidence to kick some butt

Yay! glad you managed to sort it. LOL at their excuse.

Glad you don't have to go down tribunal aggro route, last thing you need with a newborn as well.

Definitely. Silly sods didn't put up much of a fight lol.
Thanks again, I can now go back to enjoying my baby.....well until next time.