I am ready to kick local CDC's arse--need amunition!

[Arabica]

Arabica family has moved from one London borough to another. DD (5 in July, rare genetic syndrome which causes global delay, especially to fine motor function and cognitive ability) was having regular OT input (a review meeting once a term, followed by a visit to school to help set IEP targets, advise on learning environment, etc.) and regular orthoptist check-ups (every 3 months) because she has a squint and needs glasses for her long-sightedness.

Other services have transferred OK, in that we have a physio and a SALT, audiology appointments etc. But so far, no OT and no vision clinic.

OTs in our old borough requested that services be continued back in August 2010 when we moved house, as did the vision clinic. Paediatrician says she has made the request. But we are now told there is no OT in post although someone has been appointed--they just don't know when she is starting. Apparently they 'can't afford' to get locums to clear what must be a mega backlog. DD needs OT input according to her statement of SN as well.

Re vision, she should have had a check-up in November and then January (should have had vision tested then too) and now April. I am told that someone will get back to me about this but of course they never do.

Now am worried that DD needs stronger glasses because if she could get any closer to the TV she would fall inside it.

Who do you think I should complain to first?

I suggest you call IPSEA for advice. If these needs are detailed in her statement then there is an obligation on the LA to provide them. They can guide you as to who and how to go about making official complaints etc. Ultimately you might consider a complaint into the LGO for them failing to meet her statement - but you also need to consider which part of her statement her needs are listed under as this does count when it comes to enforcing things.

ask gp to sort out appnt at hospital vision clinic & go via lea for OT if its in her statement they must provide.

for the statement stuff, a complaint to the LEA in writing to the director of education, followed by complaint to LGO if needed, there's often a complaints link on the borough website, would second phoning ipsea, ace and sossen. PALS at the hospital for the vision clinic. Didn't you move to change schools, how's it going? (tis bigcar btw)

Hiya, no. we moved to get a bigger place and a garden cos this is a cheaper area. She is in a lovely school, but the services are a bit pants, to say the least.
Part three of the statement is vaguely worded, but am still going to challenge things with the LEA. It's the health side I am really cross about though. Why should she have to wait 7 months for a vision clinic appointment, and as long if not more for an OT?

Read this.

Thanks for the link. Does anyone know what can be done on the health side?

have you tried PALS?

Go to GP and cry. That's what I ended up doing out of frustration about lack of results, she wrote to paed explaining how anxious I was and got a phonecall and letter of appology from the paed the next week.

If you are getting anxious about this your mental health is at risk too because let's face it, it's stressfull enough trying to organise appointments without having to fight for them.

I have a good GP though x

I know more about SN than our new GP (they actually did not know where the local child development centre was) so I think getting their help will involve more explanations than I have time (or patience) for. Contacted hospital to ask what was happening to the vision clinic referral and was told (as I suspected) that they had not received referral paperwork. Proactive secretary agreed it wasn't good enugh and offered to contact CDC and get it sorted. How helpful--and, sadly, unusual, to find someone so helpful.