You statement / govt SEN policy experts pl could you check my work ?

[KnoNuffin]

A few other SEN mums at our school have been waiting for SENCO to apply for statutory assessment for years - and have complained to head, governers etc etc. and have got the usual Fob-ola

I have explained to them that they could write themselves to LEA - but so far none of them has - I am too much of a busy body to let it lie though - but don't want to be an alarmist fantasist busy body - before I start spouting mis-info - pl can someone confirm that this is broadly correct...

Govt are looking at changing SEN provision
They are likely to get rid of statements - which may well be a change for the better BUT if your kid is going to High School in the next year or two, they will be going up with a cohort who DO have statements - therefore if your child ought to have one but either you or school haven't bothered, then they will be at a disadvantage (in our LEA you really only get to "choose" your school if you have a statement - otherwise you are looking at catchment area unless you have a sibling already in the school)

And as soon as the Governemt says it is getting rid of statements, you won't have a chance in hell of getting one as the LEAs will take the first opportunity they can to avoid issuing a statement (I might need to tone that last bit down - but if someone could confirm)

As well as pouring this into the relevant parents' ears, I'm planning to run it past the SENCO, SEN Governoer (who doesn't seem to know 1st thing about SENCOP or statements so I could tell him anything, but hey) and the lot of 'em so they can't get away with saying "oh we never thought that would happen" after the event.

They are likely to get rid of statements -

That's sacre-mongering without any evidence to support your assertion.

And as soon as the Governemt says it is getting rid of statements, you won't have a chance in hell of getting one as the LEAs will take the first opportunity they can to avoid issuing a statement (I might need to tone that last bit down - but if someone could confirm)

More scare-mongering.

The problem with producing inaccurate information is that people strart to realise it's not trye and then start to question the veracity of your argument and you've lost your case.

You do make a good point about children who should have Statements being disadvantaged by being denied support given to children at other schools that do have Statements.

So how I would play this....

Look on teh sschool report tables (webite) and look at some neighbouring schools to see how many of their children have Statements, compared to those at your school. That is hard undeniable evidence you can use.

Then contact the SEN Governor at your school and make your case that your school either is very unusual in having no children who require Statements or b) the lack of Statements in comparison to other schools in the local area suggests that SENs are not being identified, assessed or supported and that they are thereofre failing in their duty to do so.

All your current approcah wil do is antagonise school and other parents.

Here's the website

www.education.gov.uk/performancetables/

wow thanks - you are right the figures are bizarre - I think they have actually managed to input practically all of the SEN kids as school action rather than in the "statement /school action plus column" - if I do the math I come up with more children on SA+ or with a statement than this spreadsheet gives and I cannot possibly know all of the children with statements / SA+ surely ?

There is a dramatic difference compared with other schools on the list - we have way more SA than any other school but dramatically fewer SA+/statements

Schools only have to request an assessment for a Statement when they cannot support the pupil from within their own resources.

That will be school's argument - that they can support without applying for a Statement.

You could ask under the FOI what funds your school has delegated from the LA for SEN support (and those of the surrounding schools).

You already have some evidence but you need to 'prove' they are neglecting to request assessments for Statements.

Just point the parents in the direction of IPSEA website for a letter to start the statementing process. You don't need the schools backing.

We don't know what the SEN green paper will say yet - its due out this month