Statutory Assessment - What would you do?

[Anna85]

I had a meeting today with the SENCo and she had been speaking to an Advisory Teacher who sits on the panel for the above. She said that until County Inclusive Resource was involved the request would be turned down straight away.

The SENCo said however I could request it myself.....but is it worth me doing it if the school won't although they said they would support it?

DS is 5 with ASD

x

She said that until County Inclusive Resource was involved the request would be turned down straight away.

If so, that's illegal. I'd ask her to put that in writing as it's what's called a 'blanket policy' and they are illegal. She won't of course.

Your SENCO is failing your child. If she believes he needs a Statement and would support your request then she should have the courage of her conviction and initiate the request for assessment herself.

She probably won't because that would be frowned upon by her Head teacher (employer) and LA (employer) - both of whom would have to foot the bill for any support that was identified.

So you can now see how corrupt the system is and why you should not blieve a word you are told.

Definitely do apply yourself. the website www.ipsea.org.uk shows you how to do this. Many of us have children with Statements because we applied when school wouldn't.

Bestw wishes

Thanks WetAugust!

At the moment he comes under Early Years Funding but when he goes up to Year 1...I was told the teacher has a pot of money, the SEN register and she then decides which children gets help and how much....so wrong!!!

I think I am going to do it myself....!!

Thanks x

Wow - they have told you some rubbish!

The Local Authority gives schools (not teachers) some funding to support special educational needs.

Every school has a SENCO. Together with the teachers they are supposed to identify pupils who have SENs, assess what support they require and provide that support. If the support costs more than is available to the school from the funding given to them by the Local Authority (which isn't a lot) the school should apply for a statutory assessment that may lead to the pupil being issued with a Statement of what support is required and the funding to provide that support.

So if school support your in saying he needs to be assessed one can only assume that school is unable to meet the cost of support from their own funding.

So if school doesn't initiate that request then your child may fail to be given the level of support he requires.

So that's why you should apply for an assessment yourself.

Best wishes

I am just going through the statutory assessment process myself. I have found the advice on here (to direct questions and also from the archives) invaluable.

Top tips, save a copy of the SEN Code of Practice to your computer for reading (it's long, but I found knowing which bits apply when and quoting this has made people take me seriously).

I got my request template from the IPSEA website...am crap at links but you'll find both of these if you google.

IPSEA also has useful info on the process and what to put in your requests etc.

Wishing you well with the application

Wet is 100% correct, don't even think about it, do it yourself asap. It will take at least 6 months from the day you apply until you get one anyway!