Proposed Statement

[Frustrated2003]

Thanks Guys for your support so far, it has been really helpful and most appreciated!

My son's proposed statement is due on the 6th March and the private EP and SALT are to still agree on best type of provision so havent been able to look at specific schools as such, anyhow I was wondering when proposed is issued do I have to name a parental choice or can we request that they just issue the final statement so that my right of appeal is opened up?

I hope that makes some sense

Caroline

I'm in same position as you-recieved proposed statement about a week ago. I've been led to believe that you either name a school (ie mainstream or a special if you have been 'directed' to one) or, if you want something the LA have not suggested (ie you want special, they say mainstream or you want independant special and they don't want to pay for that, etc), then you are able to state on part 4 that you would like to appeal for X school.
I think that then takes you into another realm of phone calls, talks, meetings, false leads and broken promises followed by a tribunal.

Okay I just got a reply from education advocate who said that we should just say still under consideration and get them to issue final on that basis so that we can appeal almost immediatly well once all my private reports are in that is.

This statementing things is so tiring its driving me mad. All I want is the right education for my son and they want to save money.

You don't have to name a parental choice at that stage, but it would be better to exercise your right. If the LA name a school you don't want, you can't say they've ignored your preference if you haven't given one iyswim.

You should try to get in touch with the EP/SALT to get some initial suggestions. You might be able to state more than one preference (I could, but not sure if it was because my proposed statement coincided with secondary transfer). A shortlist would be better than nothing.

When the proposed statement arrives, you should be able to tell from the wording in Part 3 whether the LA is looking towards a special or mainstream place, so that will give you some guidance.

In my case, our EP/SALT weren't that helpful regarding school advice as they weren't based locally enough and I did most of the legwork myself. The EP visited the schools and confirmed suitability. But it's worth doing your own research/school visits and then getting them to back you up - you know your child better than them, after all.

You can add information to your appeal at any time in the 16 weeks after registering your appeal, so there is plenty of time to change your preference(s) before then.

Are you going to appeal against parts 2&3 as well as part 4? It's good practice to make some effort to negotiate/call a meeting before asking to finalise, if only to 'show willingness to negotiate' for the sake of the appeal.

Hi

I am going to be appealing the whole statement I think, because the SALT (NHS) is not recommending therapy and that EP Is reccomending that his issues are EBD and so I think they will go down this route and name his EBD school. Great for an ASD child (Not).

I disgaree with the advice that you were given to have the Statement finalised ith Part 4 'under consideration'. I doubt the LA will do that because by finalisation they will have consulted with the school they want to admit him to and that school will, in the LA's view, be a suitable placement - therefore that's where the LA say he should go.
LA's get criticised by SENDIST for leaving Part 4 blank.

If you are contemplating SENDIST having a school named by the LA in Part 4 assists you, as you can then state why that particular school cannot support his needs, whereas the school you've identified can. And you will have to identify a school that can meet his needs before you go to SENDIST so will have to strat looking around now.

As sugar said - Parts 2 & 3 will be geared by the LA to the school they want to name in Part 4 so you'll probbaly end up disputing the whole Statement. It will have been watered down and won't adequately describe his difficulties in part 2 or the subsequent support in Part 3.

You mentioned finding a note in his school file. What I would do is amend my own Parental advice to include that you've found this note and it's evidence that he needs a special school. You can amend your PA any time up to Finalisation. That woudl strenthen you case at SENDIST for a specialist placement as you have an admission from those who deal with him first-hand in mainstream that mainstream doesn't work. That doesn't automatically mean an EBD school - you can use that to get an ASD school too.