As expected, they've refused to assess dd and today I have spent 6 hours.............

[Aero]

......just trying to sort out my evidence for appeal. I am overwhelmed and my head is done in. What is their problem??? She has ADD dx and has struggled with learning from the word go and her progress has now ground to a halt. Her levels are questionable, but they don't measure up with her intellect levels and all the support they've put in place at school isn't working.

Tomorrow I will be writing my second draft of reasons for appeal and there is just soooooo much. I am swimming through a sea of paperwork and am just sooooo confused!

Just aaaaaaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

Lol Starlight - I'm just voicing my inner self - it is unfair, and I'd sooner not be forced on this journey, but I have succombed to a glass of the white stuff tonight (medicinal naturally)!!

You are right, of course. It is money, but I've got my boxing gloves on nice and tight and am trying to keep my head in tact - it's just that I'm so disorganised myself and the vast amount of evidence is not helping my brain function well, but I'm definitely going to keep 'swimming'!!

Aero

There's a very good advice pack on the IPSEA site that takes you through grounds for appeals, the appeals process and how to construct an appeal.

Best wishes

I've always held the belief that they refuse a certain % so that of these another % appeal. Of these they will then overturn the original decision in another certain %. This then shows that the appeal system is fair and works . It's all about justifying the whole system. Not everyone gets a statement, not everyone loses their appeal - everyone should be grateful for such a fair system !
My idea - controversial - get it right first time and you would have incredibly few people wanting to appeal. no-one fills out paperwork and goes through the various hoops presented for fun unless they have a genuine belief that a statement would be beneficial.

Well, today was spent putting my appeal together and questioning everything in council EP report. I have a meeting with said council on Tues - taking a dictaphone so I don't miss anything. Doubt it will acheive anything but who knows... Everyone professional she has seen is recommending that dd is assessed and even school have said she will need 10 hours 1:1 on top of all the support she is receiving at SA+. That must account for something surely!?

What were the reasons given for refusal?

Did school put their support recommendation in writing?

Are they able to fund it?

Criteria for learning not met. Dd has a reading age of 6.07yrs, reading comprehension is the same according to EP tests, yet her level was given at 3b in July - I am questioning this because ds2 is 6 and reads/spells better than her. Maths is worse - she is below the 1st percentile.

Yes, the SENCO has put that in writing as part of their evidence SM - whether they would be able to fund it, I don't know - they haven't said. They'd have to if she was statemented though.

Oh, dd is 10 and in Y6.

Sounds as though you have a good appeal Aero as school has helpfully put in writing that she needs additional hours they cannot give her.

TBH it sounds like you're caught in a funding struggle between school and LA.

I doubt it will go to Tribunal. I expect the LA will cave in and fund it as they are taking a gamble - the Tribunal could order even more support and (expense).

Problem then is that if they fund it then there may be no need for an assessment as she has not exhausted the support available within school - however your argument will be that the full extent of her difficulties can only be determined by a full assessment.

I mean, seriously, what Tribunal is going to say that the school she attends and who know her best, has got it wrong and she doesn't need this support.

'Problem then is that if they fund it then there may be no need for an assessment as she has not exhausted the support available within school - however your argument will be that the full extent of her difficulties can only be determined by a full assessment'

^^ Agree with this. And also, if she is in Yr 6, you will have a bigger battle to fight with her secondary school for support without a statement which leaves no wriggle room for school.

Keep pushing - it is a fight, but it can be won. You just have to keep going. My anger at the injustice drove me to insanity (and still does).

It is not about you or your child though, it is about money pure and simple - but you know that.

Thank you - I'm hoping it won't go to tribunal, and you're right, my argument is that a full assessment is the only way to get anywhere near the bottom of dd's problems. I do know it's not personal, of course. Individually, they all seem very nice, but collectively, as a body, they all have their necks on the block, so if they can get away without spending when they should, then so much the better for them. But the unfairness of it and the mental stress is blooody awful and I've never known stress like it - enough to push the strongest of us over the edge sometimes!!

One of my biggest problems is knowing who to ask to be a witness at tribunal (if it comes to it). Not sure the SENCO would be the best person to ask and all her teachers are employed by them - I feel like I'm asking them to say they're crap at their jobs, which they're not. Pastorally, dd is in the best school, but academically it's simply not working for her and subsequently is killing her confidence!

The school staff would be highly unlikely to support you at Tribunl - although it has bee known to hapen. You could call the SENCO anyway so they can explain why they wrote she needed that extra support and how their resources cannot provide it.

That's why we tend to seek out our own private reports and get them to support us at Tribunal.

That's true SM - I did call our previous SENCo who was fab and if she'd been in post, she's have done it willingly, but her replacement, is not as experienced, although a lovely person, I know she'd feel conflicted. I do think, however, she'd be honest enough to tell it like it is and give her reasons for what she's put in her evidence.

We really can't afford any more in terms of private assessment, although old SENCO is putting me in touch with a very experienced friend of hers who could do a full dyslexia/spld assessment on dd. Am waiting to hear from her.

I have a meeting with the council on Tuesday and have no idea what to expect.......might start another thread for suggestions of what to ask.....

Good luck