Meeting with council on Tues - what should I ask them? TIA

[Aero]

Am meeting caseworker from council on Tuesday and have no idea what to expect - I'm not expecting to gain anything from it tbh, but I feel I should be seen to be trying. They've refused to assess dd (who is 10 and grossly behind despite average IQ level, dx ADD and I suspect several co-morbid conditions which I want them to assess her for).

I have my appeal nearly done now and have questioned nearly everything in the council EP's very short (he did a reading assessment and a numeracy assessment, both of which she came out with an age six result at) report. He spent an hour with her!

Do I go in with my tribunal arguments, or do I ask them all those questions at this stage? Help please!

I'd just listen to what they have to say. Take someone with you to act as a witness. Make copious notes.

I wouldn't reveal my hand by declaring the full grounds for appeal - you don't warn to forewarn them of the specifics.

And most importantly - be quite firm and clear that the only outcome that will satisfy you is a reversal of their decision not to assess.

And them them in no doubt whatsoever if they fail to agree to reconsider you will appeal to SENDIST.

I fact it wouldn't hurt to mention you are compiling your appeal.

Presumably they get to see my reasons for appeal before tribunal though? I plan to take a dictaphone and will (assuming they don't mind if they've nothing to hide) me recording the meeting.

Yes - when you appeal both sides get to see the other's statements prior to the hearing.

I would concentrate on the here and now. What are their reasons for refusing SA - that's what you'll need to apeal against at SENDIST.

I wouldn't give anything away at this stage - except ensure they know you are intending to appeal.

Their reason is 'criteria for learning is not met'. Reason the previous time was that dd 'is not sufficiently far enough behind' which seems to be another way of saying the same thing.. But this appears to be a blanket policy and we are questining her levels anyway because we don't feel she's at the level they've applied. We definitely think something's been missed and they haven't found a way of teaching which suits her and looking at their own policy, it says this is most important and what they are striving to do..........hmmmm

As you said... Hmmmmm

Am going to print that out before Tuesday though and present the quote to her..........

Found this after a bit of digging! Hmmm indeed!

xxxxxx Council
Schools Accessibility Strategy 2009-2012
?Every child should have the chance to make the most of their promise and potential. We want xxxxxx to be a place where all children enjoy learning and leave school with the qualifications, personal achievements, skills and motivation to succeed in their adult and working lives.?

This statement, taken from xxxxxx?s Children and Young People?s Plan, shows how xxxxxx Children?s Trust wants all our children and young people in xxxxxx to succeed in learning.

Under Part 4 of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 (as amended by the Special Educational Needs and Disability Act 2001) schools and Local Authorities must plan strategically to increase access to schools and the curriculum over time: schools must produce an accessibility plan and Local Authorities must produce an accessibility strategy to set out how they will do this. The Disability Equality Duty (part 5A Disability Discrimination Act 1995, inserted by the DDA 2005) places on all public authorities (including schools) a general duty to promote equality of opportunity and positive attitudes for disabled people, eliminate discrimination and harassment related to disability, and encourage participation in public life, taking steps to meet disabled people?s needs, even when this requires more favourable treatment. A specific duty requires schools to develop a scheme (in consultation with pupils, staff and parents), publish it, report on progress annually and revise it every three years.

xxxxxx?s Schools Accessibility Strategy develops the work of the Accessibility Strategy 2006-2009 and supports a number of strategies and programmes, and will contribute to the development of 21st Century Schools partnership, all of which embody the principles of Every Child Matters and together address the Council?s priority that ?children and young people have the best start in life?.

The aim of xxxxxx?s Schools Accessibility Strategy 2009-2012 is to promote the inclusion of disabled children in local schools and in all aspects of school life, by:

? improving the physical environment of schools
? removing or overcoming barriers to learning for disabled pupils (including learners with learning disabilities or difficulties), by making improvements in the provision of information

? developing an inclusive curriculum which responds to pupils? diverse learning needs that provides all pupils with access to relevant and challenging learning, and
? supporting pupils? well-being by supporting their emotional and social development.

The outcome we seek is that, as far as possible, all pupils leave school with the qualifications, personal achievements, skills and motivation to succeed in their adult and working lives. It is noted that the actions proposed by this strategy set out to promote the development, safety and inclusion of all children and are likely to benefit many able children too.