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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

statementing advice please

8 replies

helentheresa · 25/11/2010 13:23

Hello, I wonder if anyone can offer some advice. My son is being assessed for a statement he has CP right hemi. He was seen by an educational psychologist, she observed him for 45 min at nursery and then I met with her for about 30 min.
The outcome being that she felt that DS's needs as mostly physical could be met by school action plus.
I was wondering how much weight does her report hold, what can I do to get across my son's needs. Any advice appreciated.

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justaboutanotherbirthdaycoming · 25/11/2010 13:43

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StarlightMcKenzie · 25/11/2010 15:02

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helentheresa · 25/11/2010 17:58

I find it so confusing, I haven't really got my head round why ed psychologist opinion is so importantConfused. I don't think they are the best people to assess what my DS needs as a lot of his needs are physical.
How would I go about getting an independant psychologists details?
I have support from OT and Paediatrician but latter has just left.
Thanks for advice.

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SausageMonster · 25/11/2010 18:44

helen

Let me explain.

the educational psychologist you son saw is employed by the Local Authority.

Any suggestions he makes for additional support wil be funded by that same Local Authority that employes him.

There fore Ed Pyschs try to suggest as little as possible as additonal support is expensive and their employers don't like paying for it.

You may think this is a hlaf-baked conspiracy theory but others on here will back me up - it's the norm.

Schools, Ed Pyschs and LAs do not always acknowledge the true extent of a child's problems becausethey are unwilling to pay to provide the support the child requires. there is not an unlimited pot of money.

However..

If you employed your own private ed Pysch to do a true assessment of your son all his difficuties and support required would be identified. You can then use that private assessment to support your application for a Statement or to get additional support.

getting the right level of support is quite a battle for many of us. Please don't assume that because the LA's own ed Pysch said a Statement was not reuired that that is necessarily true.

the difference between School Action Plus and a Statement is that any support provided to your son under schools Action Plus (SA+) can be withdrawn without notice at any time.

Whereas.. all support that is delivered because it is stated a necessary on a Statement must be delivered - it's a legal rqeuirement with which school must comply.

So you can start to see why the LA and the Ed Pysch would rather your son did not have a Statement which would commit them to expensive on-going support and would rather that you believed his needs could be met by support delivered under Schools Action Plus - for as long as the budget lasts.

Best wishes

helentheresa · 25/11/2010 20:17

SausageMonster
thank you very much for that insight.
Where can I get a name of an ed psychologist to do a private assessment?

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KickButtowski · 25/11/2010 20:31

Do you already have a school in mind - if you can get them on the case as early as possible it will help.

No school wants to take on a child without the right level of support, so they will at least be able to point you in the right direction.

Also, if your child has mostly physical needs then you need a good report from the physio too.

SausageMonster · 25/11/2010 21:02

Hi

Best way is by recommendation of other parents but you could google "Chartered Educational Psychologist" and see if you can find a suitable one in your area.

helentheresa · 25/11/2010 21:43

Hello, I am not sure which school at the moment but am going back to visit a school that has a special education provision. I know my DS needs help and will struggle if he doesn't get appropriate help.

Can anyone recomend an E P please? I am in Surrey.

Thank you.

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