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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

So exactly what can we expect from Enhanced Early Year Action Plus?

57 replies

NatalieJane · 27/02/2011 11:49

From a nursery that has never accepted he has additional needs of any kind other than SALT?

Now it has been recommended by an Ed Psyche that he be placed on EEYAP, will they suddenly change their mind now they won't have to fund anything? Do they HAVE to register him on EEYAP?

What sort of things can I expect them to do to help him? At a meeting a couple of weeks ago nursery SENCo said that as she cannot see what his problems are, there is nothing she can do to help him. So I have no clue.

Anything else I should know about? Or a point in the right direction of where I can find out everything I need to know, before tomorrow would be great please :)

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StarlightMcKenzie · 01/03/2011 09:51

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bigcar · 01/03/2011 09:57

what starlight said. Also varies depending on what you think the issues are. A developmental paed can be a good start.

eandz · 01/03/2011 12:23

Argh.
Argh.
Argh.

Does anyone know someone other than Daphne Keen that we can see privately? I've been trying to contact her for over a week and haven't gotten a single response. (Developmental Pediatrician)

Here are the steps I've taken

1.NHS GP when ds was 17 months and not responding to his name anymore
2.Private Speech Therapist because GP was useless at 17.5 months--was told N was not on the AS, and to start makaton. Started Makaton, also started to respond to name.

  1. 20-24 months took him to Texas to be assessed at home to see if I could get a better diagnosis, but was told he was 'Quirky'. N began to respond to commands and say words, also great with non verbal communication.
4.25 months till 28 months N was still seeing Therapist but no real improvement.
  1. NHS SLT came to visit 3 weeks ago to say she thinks he should see a developmental pediatrician, but never got the referral, I've called/emailed/taken copies of emails to my gp. As well as called Daphne Keen a ridiculous amount of times.
  2. Come here to vent and ask--what now?
NatalieJane · 01/03/2011 13:49

eandz, don't know if this is the sort of thing you're looking for, and it most deffo will not be the same for you, but we saw the health visitor first, who suspected Autism, she referred to Paed, SALT, Ed Psyche, Paed referred on to OT, and that's about as far as we've got.

Quick update on the meeting with the SENCo this morning, she is singing all the right tunes but making the words up as she goes along. She reckons DS2 has been on EEYAP since he started, so why weren't we involved as his parents, and why would an EP advise for him to be put on it, if he was already on it? SENCo went through EP's advice one point at a time, told me what they could to help him, wrote it all down and said she'd have a targetted learning journey drawn up by the end of the week and we'll get a copy to OK. I finished the meeting asking if she still didn't believe he has extra needs, and she still said yes she can't see any extra needs.

Was fuming, have since calmed down, am going to ring around the local nurseries tomorrow and see if there is anywhere else suitable. She is going to do him no good.

She actually said at one point that pre-school (as she calls it) isn't to get them ready for school, it's to give them the courage to ask for help Hmm Utter tripe!

And she actually laughed when I said I would be applying for a SA, EP and LEA have encouraged it, and she laughs... unbelievable.

Anyway, I am in a mega rush, but wanted to update anyone following this sham of nursery.

Quick other question, his nursery only opened in Septemeber last year, they haven't been OFSTED'ed yet, can I make noises in their direction without implicating myself or DS2? I don't see how she is to be considered anything when she can't see that a 4 year old, with a speech disorder, well behind with self care, sensory issues, obsessions, routines, terrible terrible nights, and other things, doesn't need any extra input at all. I am an Interior Designer, I know nothing of education, standards of care, anything to do with SEN, but surely someone so lacking in even sheer common sense isn't capable of doing her job?

Right I am gone, this time!

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StarlightMcKenzie · 01/03/2011 13:56

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bigcar · 01/03/2011 14:29

nj, you may want to look here for ofsted complaints procedures. It does sound like a move could be a good thing! You may also want to read up on SMART ieps as I presume that's what she means by learning journey and if it isn't . . .

I would also presume being a preschool they are supposed to follow the early years foundation stage which is also what schools use and covers an awful lot more than asking for help, but hey, she obviously knows better Hmm

eandz, has your gp not done the referral? Can you see another gp in the practice. If you wanted to start your own thread with private devel paed and a very rough idea of your area someone may be able to help that hasn't seen this Smile

eandz · 01/03/2011 14:57

bigcar

will start my own thread tonight. thanks!

NatalieJane · 01/03/2011 15:21

Star - brilliant! Just wish I had the time to do it now! Ah well, it will give me something to look forward to whenever my client let's me go this afternoon/evening/night/morning... Wink

She reckons the targetted learning journey is the 'modern equivalent' of IEP's, she, nor I for that matter, mentioned SMART, I should have done, just got caught up in trying not to tell her to erm... well go away!

It isn't just me this, is it? She is absolutely useless isn't she? I keep asking myself if it's because it is my little boy concerned, but I just can't believe that she is the best bet for every kid at that nursery, it is just unbelievable.

I am deffo going to ring round the other nurseries tomorrow, I can't trust a single word that comes out of her mouth, and she (or her staff) are supposed to be caring for him when I'm not there.

Oooh also, nearly forgot, Bigcar, thanks for the complaints link, will read it later/tomorrow and take it from there, I am all out of time for today - Thanks :)

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StarlightMcKenzie · 01/03/2011 15:44

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moondog · 01/03/2011 21:27

'targetted learning journey'

That's a new one on me and I thought I had heard every euphemism going.

Honestly, who seriously spouts this drivel and believes it means anything? Hmm

StarlightMcKenzie · 01/03/2011 21:34

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NatalieJane · 01/03/2011 23:56

TBF, it was the EP that put on her report about the targeted learning journey, when I asked the SENCo why we hadn't been in on his IEP's, she then said the targeted learning journey is the equivalent of the IEP's, and actually now I come to think of it, didn't answer why we hadn't been part of them. Let that one slide didn't I? Always the way, it's when you come away and process it all you realise what you should have said etc.

I have a plan, am going to type up the letter now (first chance I've had!) ring round the other nurseries tomorrow, cross finger's someone is willing to take him/us/LEA etc. on. I am going to call the SALT tomorrow as well and ask her (or who ever - secretary?) to pass us the report ASAP so we can go straight for the SA. I am also going to ring the Paed, I won't be able to track her down till Friday, but I think we have enough new info to call for another appointment, and I want her to chase up the referrals she made, it was December the 10th we last saw her, that isn't far off three months away and we haven't heard anything at all, not even a "we have received a referral from...." automatic letter. Plus alongside all this stuff with nursery, it wouldn't be half bad having a better idea of what is going on with him.

Moondog, am I remembering rightly that you're a SALT? DS2's SALT has DX'ed a speech disorder, she said he is getting most of the first sounds of a word right, the middle sounds are being almost constantly replaced with a 'yuh' sound, and he is missing nearly every ending sound, e.g. mu-myah is mummy, Tohya is Thomas (the Tank), liyah is little, hope I've explained that right? Does any of that ring any bells with you? She said it is quite complex and didn't want to give us, or the nursery, any exercises to do with him at home for fear of possibly causing more harm than good. Also (tell me to bugger off if I'm taking the mickey!) is it usual for someone with a speech disorder to have very high levels of anxiety? Do they always go hand in hand? Is it possible that the anxiousness is nothing to do with his speech? Am I asking unanswererable questions?!

Right, on with the letter! Can't wait!!

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NatalieJane · 02/03/2011 01:19

Re: DS2.

Dear SENCo,

Thank you so much for our meeting at DS2's nursery today, I found it very enlightening. However, I am writing to you to clarify a few things:

  1. That DS2 has been on Enhanced Early Years Action Plus since he joined your nursery in November 2010, but that this is not something you share with parent?s routinely, tell me, would this have meant that you have been receiving some help in the way of extra funding for DS2's additional needs since he was placed on EEYAP? 2)DS2's Educational Psychologist, (name), has submitted a report based on her professional assessment of DS2, highlighting some of DS2's additional needs, but you dispute his additional needs, and believe that his Educational Psychologist is incorrect in her judgement. 3)That you will forward me a copy of DS2's Targeted Learning Journey by Friday 4th March 2011, which is to include the targets set by his Educational Psychologist.
  2. That you and the other nursery staff have not tried to aid DS2's social skills, particularly holding longer eye contact, and on 1:1 attention spans.
  3. Can you confirm that the Targeted Learning Journey is, or isn?t, simply a new name for Individual Education Plans, explaining the difference between IEP?s and Targeted Learning Journeys if there are any.
  4. You believe that your nursery isn?t for preparing children for school, but for giving them the confidence to ask for help when they need it.
  5. You find my enquiries into the Statutory Assessment and Special Educational Needs Statement process laughable, seemingly. While DS2's Educational Psychologist and (name) at the LEA, whom deals with Statutory Assessment requests, have both agreed that with what various education and medical professionals have assessed and diagnosed to date, that George may very well meet the criteria for Statementing.

This is how I understand things so far, please feel free to put in writing to myself if you feel I have misunderstood anything, as I will then be able to correct my log.

One last request, since it is evident DS2 has been on EEYAP for some time, without my knowledge, I would be grateful if (along with the new Targeted Learning Journey that I am to receive on Friday), I could also have access to the paperwork relating to the targets DS2 has been set previously, the way the targets have been introduced to DS2, how he has responded to them, and how often the targets have been reviewed and updated. Also all notes or observation reports you have, as I am interested to see the progress DS2 has made since he joined the nursery, and since he was placed on EEYAP.

I am very much looking forward to our next meeting, I am sure it will tell me all I need to know.

__

Too much? Too little? If/when I get some feedback from you guys (because, obviously, I can't do anything with MN OKing it Am not used to this straight forward direct approach, am a bit worried I'm going to find myself alienating her, and then never getting anywhere, though we're not exactly getting far as it is!) anyway, I will drive down to the other nursery she owns and post it myself to know she's got it, as long as it's done tomorrow it's fine, but please tell me if it's too much?

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StarlightMcKenzie · 02/03/2011 09:31

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NatalieJane · 02/03/2011 12:41

OK, some major progress (I think), though am still wary of whatever that woman says to me.

Long story, here goes...

I rang the LEA this morning, to ask if and how I can find out if and when he was placed on E(nhanced)EYAP, I explained the very outlines of the situation we are in, she said she'd talk to the relevent person and get them to ring me.

Next conversation I had was with the HV, I wanted to tell her what had gone on yesterday at the meeting, although sometimes it seems she can jump the gun a little, she is our biggest advocate so far, so I really want her to be kept in the loop at all times. She was disgusted that the SENCo had laughed off the SA, she agreed totally with the outline of the letter I told her, she is going to ring me back with an appointment for his Paed, hopefully for Friday, but we'll have to see. She has suggested bringing the next TAC meeting forward from May, which can only be a good thing. Also, as an almost aside issue, a couple of weeks ago Portage came to do an initial assessment of DS3, my HV knows the Portage team very well, and socialises with a lot of them, now apparently, the two Portage workers that came have said to the HV that when they arrived, they couldn't tell which child they'd come to see, I asked in what sense, and she said they couldn't tell which of the children needed the therapy, which means that they saw something in DS2, problem being, it is all off the record, can't be used. But it does back up my theory of this facade he puts on socially because due to circumstances with people being off sick, I knew that one of the workers would be a man, but I didn't know if the second worker would be the HV (who DS2 loves to bits) or if it would be a stranger to DS2, as it was, it was a stranger, so for that little while, while they were coming in etc. he didn't know how to handle it. And they are probably the ones to have seen DS2, just as he is since the HV first met him.

Then the promised phone call to find out when he had been placed on EEYAP. Interestingly, it was none other than the area SENCo! She explained that DS2 would have been placed on EYAP as soon as he started with the nursery, she admitted we should have been informed of this, and that we should have been involved with targets, observations etc. She is saying now they will apply for EEYAP, which is basically the funding for teacher assisstance, which will allow her to carry on assessing DS2. I didn't really want to go through my feelings with the nursery SENCo, but didn't have a lot of choice as apparently she'd been told I wasn't happy (by who?) so I went through some of the points, not all, she said alongside the nursery SENCo, she hasn't seen any area's where DS2 is in need of additional help, however she has only observed him once, and she is very happy to keep going back to see him to see if she can pick up on anything in the future. She offered to put forward the request for a SA, and I declined saying I'd do it. I think by the time we finished talking she was really quite cross with the nursery SENCo, and I was fully expecting the next phone call...

Yep, nursery SENCo, she has completely changed her tune, she never actually came out and admitted he does have additional needs, but then I was never expecting her to after what's gone on, but she apologised for us not being informed/involved re. targets etc. also offered to do the SA (with almost the exact same wording as the area SENCo used, and when I said that I'd do it, they both then went on to offer help on finding me the forms etc. which I thought was a little strange.) she made it very clear that she thinks the things nursery have done so far have been quicker than things would usually move (what, 4 months to write him some targets? And what else have they done?) I have asked for her observation notes and reviews to see how he is progressing, there is going to be nothing outstanding though, she said she'll get his file ready for me to see, but that it is only the same observations she would do for all the children at nursery.

And low and behold when I went to pick him up from nursery, she was there, I have never seen her there twice within such a short time period, am sure she thought she'd get somewhere with me face to face, but I complete overlooked the fact that we'd spoken this morning, didn't engage with her really at all, while she was being all lovely and helpful Hmm

So, some progress, at least they know I'm not going to roll over and take it, and even if they do nothing now, it will all be backed up in writing, and I can get on with the SA.

Don't make it bloody easy do they?!

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NatalieJane · 02/03/2011 12:44

Sorry, cocked up my bold then didn't I?! It was the difference between EYAP and EEYAP I was trying to bold...!

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StarlightMcKenzie · 02/03/2011 20:48

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EllenJane1 · 02/03/2011 21:20

Keep on it NatalieJane. What a lovely helpful nursery SENCO [sarcastic icon]

NatalieJane · 03/03/2011 12:33

FFS, have just got his targetted learning journey thingymebob, it barely mentions anything the EP mentioned, and what the SENCo wrote down at our meeting. It has a bit about DS2's family, say's he lives at home with his mummy and daddy and baby brother Micky, he doesn't have a brother called Micky (though the name is very close so could just be a spelling mistake), and has she just forgotten he has an older brother as well? Really spent time with DS2 to come up with that hasn't she?

Also picked up his keyworker's observation file thing, looks like she did one review in November, that is dated on the 17th I think it was, since then dates are Jan-Mar 2011, after the first observation note sheet, someone else has written it, all in the same pen, and the photo's most of them have been taken today, same top on, hair sticking up in the same way! Do they think we're stupid? Asked DS if they'd been taking photo's today, and he said yes, they were rushing to print them out.

Even right at the back of the file there is a sheet for 'significant comments' same blue pen, same second person's handwriting, "Feb 2011 George asked to go on the potty, and he did a wee" "March 2011, George was in the swing and it slowed down, he asked me to push him again" that was TODAY, they'd been to the park, for the first time since he started. It wasn't even Feb he used the potty, see here and note the date I started that thread! And that's it, apparently he's done nothing but have a wee and ask to be pushed.

Am absolutely fuming.

Haven't had the SENCo's observation notes yet, get the feeling they are trying to fob me off with his 'key worker's' version.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!

Other news though, looks like we've got appt. with his Paed tomorrow :)

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StarlightMcKenzie · 03/03/2011 12:40

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bigcar · 03/03/2011 12:59

yes, put it all in writing including the ed psychs recommendations that should be on there, remember to be smart.

NatalieJane · 03/03/2011 13:02

Yes I did the letter, and another yesterday after all the phone calls, time for another now once I calmed down!

Have just compared the EP recommendations and the TLP targets, the only one which actually matches the EP's report is that DS2 is to be encouraged to add facial features to a pre-drawn oval shape. Now, DS2 can do this (sort of), but on the day the EP was here, he wouldn't draw anything other than eyes for some reason, but he can and has drawn a reasonable face before, even at nursery and he has bought them home for one of us. So the only target the SENCo has put on the TLP that the EP said should be on it, is one that he can already do, so when it comes to review time, that's a nice big tick in a box isn't it?!

Am seriously ready to explode! I do appreciate people have been through much worse but I am just dumbfounded how they think we'd fall for it? How they'd think they could away with it? And how on earth someone who is in a posistion that is supposed to help children can think that this is anywhere near helping?

Oh my giddy aunt, absolutely unbelievable!

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StarlightMcKenzie · 03/03/2011 13:14

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NatalieJane · 03/03/2011 14:23

Have compiled a letter, will read it again later before I print because I am still angry!

I will re-write the learning plan thing, might stick it up on here after because while I understand the fundimentals of SMART targets, I've never actually written them before and would rather not make a tit of myself!

I don't know whether to ring her and pre-warn that I will go to the other nursery tomorrow to pick up his file, or if it's reasonable for me to just roll up tomorrow and expect her to have it there?

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DiscoBabe · 03/03/2011 14:24

So is EEYA+ where they get additional funding? My sons SaLT told me the school could get extra funding for my ds so would this be what she's referrring to?

The school claim he won't get it, and told me he doesn't even need to be on EYA+ Angry