The road to Statementing... nearing the end

[CinnamonPretzel]

Okay - so I have now received another proposed statement of 20 hours. This statement process was started by me, the parent and not the school. I sent in a big list of changes for the first proposed statement where they needed to put who was doing what on the objectives, how much time was to be spent on those objectives and some additional input from professionals on a couple of elements within the objectives.

As you can probably guess, very few amends were made but they did make some and they increased the hours to just over 20. With all the objectives set I'm still not happy with these suggested hours but the LA spoke to the SENCO and he has agreed following their rambling that these hours will be sufficient for now .

I was under the impressions from DS's teacher and him that DS needed full day support but now all of a sudden following discussions with the LA they are buckling. I'm concerned I can't fight for more hours as I no longer have the SENCO support.

Anyone been in a similar situation? Do I now lay down and give in or puff up and fight harder and request tribunal?
Other concern is that the last time the Ed Psych went into view DS he was an Angel. If they send in the Ed Psych again to review and hes good, they will decrease the hours. Do I take the chance, am I being greedy and too hopeful?

Any advice please

Firstly, what EXACTLY is the wording about the hours?

To implement DSs IEP 22 hours of LSA will be required. Support includes what the school already provides from its budget (i.e. 5 hours per week). Support will be based on DSs needs and schools existing support, timetable, arrangements and organisation.

Rubbish. Sorry but you need to sort out that weasel wording.

What about 'DS will RECEIVE 22 hous PER WEEK of TA support with (insert level and experience).

scrub out the nonsense about budget. That shouldn't be in the statement it is between the school and the LA.

Support will be based on ds' needs? erm, what needs? and why aren't they written into the statement with appropriate action about how they will be met?

Do you see?

So the support based on... needs to come out? We have 3.5 pages of objectives and provisions and then the hours bit is at the end.

Can they get out of 22 hours support with the current wording?

yes, but to be honest I'd go through the rest of it too as they may be able to get out of providing other things.

You need everything that is important in part 3. Nothing in part 5 or 6. Part 2 should specify needs but part 3 should be littered with phrases indicating what he will GET, not what they will provide.

They can get out of it because what does providing 22 hours according to his needs actually mean? Are his needs having the two children with behavioural difficulties at the back of the classroom removed to another room by his TA?

Part 3 I've been through and sent in over 10 pages of amends and what I wanted. They have amended some but hardly anything, and it doesn't show any breakdown how long or how often on certain bits. I also requested that hours details be changed and based on objectives and provisions although didn't say WILL receive but I think I worded it so it was covered. Non of that was changed. They want me to ring them and discuss it all... I just want to make sure what I'm asking for isn't too much and at what point do I back down.

They said they are unable to quantify the provisions as they don't know how much time is needed for each set or who specifically within the school would be doing what. They only input what they are supplied from the reports!
They can not give timings for example short breaks - how often and how long etc as they don't know and this could change in the future and they can't keep changing the statement.
They can't put 1:1 support as thats not guaranteed and he might be in a small group etc but must get the offered hours support.
They don't want to change the wording around the hours - they say he will get the hours, its in the statement so school have to provide it!?
They are happy to attend and get the IEP sorted for me so that they ensure the school provide the full support as per the objectives - but thats once the finalised statement is done.
I keep trying to to explain once its in place its harder to change and I don't want that - I want it right now!

I'm lost, sinking and really don't know how much further I can push - I feel like giving in :(

I had some third party advise and they have an excellent reputation on helping with these, they said not to worry too much on various bits and only said to get various elements amended? I have you lovely mumsnetters giving advise to push for full changes. I tried to use the SEN CoP to show things need quantifying but they seemed to get lost in the conversation - trying to sweet talk me into accepting their help, to help me to get the right support.

Confused on what I should be doing

DS is mainly in the complex band and therefore getting max hours but he falls slightly into severe for various elements that also affect his health if not monitored correctly so I'm fighting for that part to get him into severe to increase the hours. BUT school are pulling away and I'm now fighting them to help me. They have accepted the hours and not objected!
I've been told if they object and prove where they are meeting DSs needs based on the provisions and hours supplied showing they fall short, the LA will consider revising the hours to give more but I'm struggling with them.

My heads about to explode - for those of you who have already done all this and succeeded, I admire your strenghth and determination.

Dear SEN person,

Regarding the phone call on x date at x time, I would like to clarify that in response to my concerns that ds' statement is not specified and quntified you informed me that:

-They said they are unable to quantify the provisions as they don't know how much time is needed for each set or who specifically within the school would be doing what. They only input what they are supplied from the reports!
They can not give timings for example short breaks - how often and how long etc as they don't know and this could change in the future and they can't keep changing the statement.
They can't put 1:1 support as thats not guaranteed and he might be in a small group etc but must get the offered hours support.

Blah blah blah.

Please get back to me urgently if I have misunderstood. Love ya lots .....

Thanks Starlight

I throw back at the LA in writing what this person has said over the phone?
Assume this is my proof if there is a need for appeal/tibunal should they not amend the statement?

School are concerned if I push for more hours, they will 're-assess' and then remove hours and place him in a lower band. Can they or do they do that?

No. That is bollox bullying tactics. If your ds needs more hours that the ones he is getting, there is just no point in conceding due to a risk he might get less. Just tell stupid school that if that happens you'll be challenging that too ffs.

In fact, I would put in writing to the school what they said. I'm sorry about your relationship with the school, but it is not worth sacraficing your ds for it.

Anyway, your obvious answer is:

'I'd love them to reassess because they've obviously made a huge mistake. Is that something you can arrange?'

Thanks
I'm speaking with school later so will tell them what they should do, if they say no, I'll write it up and send in cc HT and if need Governors. DS is losing out on hours and this SENCO appears to be doing a really good job and lying to the rest of the staff (or at least thats how I see it from discussions)

No changes being made and will finalise with a letter to say will review with IEP 'together' to see how being implemented with view to repropose and make amends!
No extra time being given as school won't budge and accepted - too busy trying to make them look good by saying how well he's improved and how good they are as opposed to how they are actually using the hours and proving they will provide what it says in the report!
So, so