Well, I have just had my meeting with the LEA officer, following their refusal to carry out SA.
I think it went well.
There fundamental arguments are that the school should be able to meet DDs needs without statement, and that they didnt have enough evidence of what the school have tried so far.
I pointed out that although I did admit the school did a cr*p job of completeing the form the LEA sent them, it was in fact the LEAs resposibilty to be pro-active in obtaining all the relevant evidence,as according to section 7.24 of sencop "The LEA should, where necessary, actively seek any additional appropriate evidence from the school"
To which point he did concede that here was perhaps more they could have done to get the adequate information they needed!
I pointed out that DD had been on SA+ for 10 months with no improvement, and that I did NOT accept that it was too early to assess.
I highlighted again some of my arguments and concerns, and reminded him of the importance of early assessment and intervention, as supported by sencop (sections 1.6, 1.11, 5.11 to name but a few!) and that " The key test of the need for action is evidence that curent rates of progress are inadequate" section 5.41 sencop - and that clearly that applied to DD who has made minimal progress in 2 years!
He told me that " I had certainly focused everyine at both LEAs" (we live in one lEA, but dd attends school in another) and "had set some balls rolling" Not sure what he meant by that, but think he means they have realised I can not be fobbed off and will NOT go away LOL
And he hinted that if I did appeal (which I reassured him I will be!) that they may not contest it. TBH he sounded very scared of hving to go to a tribunal, and I do think they may back down before then...fingers crossed then!
So...still a long way to go...but hopefully I'll get there!
Thanks for all the advice so far folks 