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Parental letter for SA. Help!

10 replies

annie987 · 15/11/2010 22:45

School called me in this morning and said that they are ready to go for SA and just needed a supporting report from me. (I knew they were in the process of getting ready to apply but had no idea they were anywhere near ready)
They want the report by Wednesday!! They couldn't find the form for me and couldn't remember the headings to give me any pointers.
Does anyone know whaty sort of headings may be on the form, what should I inlcude? How long should it be? Are there any example ones I can read anywhere?
Thanks

OP posts:
annie987 · 16/11/2010 11:48

Please? I've got to finish it tonight

OP posts:
starfish71 · 16/11/2010 12:25

Hi annie, put down a history from birth, what difficulties your child has, how they are at home, any involvement with professionals, any diagnosis, really a parent's view of your child and how their difficulties impact on homelife, school, anything that you may think is relevant.

I am by no means an expert, struggling through proposed statement at moment, but your views are very important, you can put what you feel is best for your child in terms of support, one to one etc.

I am sure others will advise you better but I did the above, just typed it all up and handed it in and it will in included in your child's statement.

Hope that helps Smile

loulou77 · 16/11/2010 12:40

just wanted to say, I have done the same thing, but initiated by me...basically, if school are initiating it, would it be helpful to see what they are putting so that you can find examples from home which support what school is saying/their aims?

Basically I used my letter as a way of setting out my stall: these are the problems my child has then an example of that problem in practice and then in summary what exactly I am looking for in help/why the current support is not sufficient to meet my child's needs if he is to "access the curriculum".

My LA has agreed to SA and has asked me for yet another submission and have suggested these headings:

What do you remember about your child's early years that might be important?

Were you happy with your child's progress at that time?

When did you think your child might have special needs?

What help and advice did you receive and from whom?

What sort of things does your child mostly spend time doing at home? Does your child have any hobbies or interests outside school?

How would you describe your child's behaviour at home? e.g. co-operating with rules and routines, helping etc

How would you describe your child's relationships with you, brothers, sisters, friends, other adults?

How do you think your child's needs have affected your family as a whole?

What are your hopes and aspirations for your child?

Now this is just what my LA has asked (and given about 3 lines to answer each question...ha ha ha) but basically it might help you structure your thinking and the key thing, I believe, is that if school have an agenda (e.g. they have in mind the kind of help they believe your child might benefit from) and you agree with that, then try to draw out examples which will go towards providing not only a true, complete picture of your child, but address these concerns.

Hope that helps...am still finding my feet so am sure someone who has actually been through the process will be along soon with some better tips!

x

chocolatespread · 16/11/2010 12:43

Could you email it to school so that they can cut and paste it into the form for you? I rather think it's a bit much for you to have had so little notice, though!

loulou77 · 16/11/2010 12:43

NB I can see there being red-herrings in my LAs headings...e.g. some kids are much better at home in their comfort zone than at school and also manifest with different behaviours/problems in different contexts, so it's probably wise to caveat or explain any discrepancies between the two contexts (e.g. school and home) if there are any...for example, my little boy needs far less visual prompts within home and is better at communicating his needs...at school he nearly always needs visuals to help him mainly because his anxiety levels are just so much higher for being away from home.

loulou77 · 16/11/2010 12:44

far fewer...good grief!

annie987 · 16/11/2010 14:04

Brilliant. Thanks ewveryone. That has given me a great starting point.

OP posts:
NatalieJane · 16/11/2010 14:06

Annie I have a copy of the form I got from Lancashire LA, if it's any use I can email you copy?

annie987 · 16/11/2010 16:33

Yes please that would be great. Email is [email protected] Thanks

OP posts:
NatalieJane · 16/11/2010 17:14

Have just sent the email :)

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