N Ireland to scrap statements!!!!!

[HolyCalamityJane]

www.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/news/uk-northern-ireland-16824102

This is incredibly worrying!!!!!!

How long before they follow suit over here, not long i'm guessing as many LEAs are already limiting statements for mainstrem, and some aren't giving any at all!! This government really are heartless bastards, i truely despair for our children.

They're replacing them, with CSPs, which is what Scotland have - if it's anything like the same set up, it's fairly similar to statementing, but seems less bureaucratic

Indeed Rosie,

N Ireland are following Scotland's lead on this. What they are saying would make perfect sense and be quite a good idea if the teachers had any idea what they were looking for. My DD's last teacher did not acknowledge her ADHD she was "just naughty and needed taught boundaries" and her Dyspraxia she hadn't a clue about that either and poked fun of DD for not being able to use the pedals on a bike.
It is so worrying that referral will now be made by these teachers and unless your child is throwing chairs and beating people up will pass under their radar for having any special education needs. Luckily for me my child is throwing chairs

Well how it works up here - it isn't just teachers who refer, in fact class teachers don't at all. But, if there's an underlying issue that hasn't been picked up pre-school the school doctor or nurse can refer either prompted by the class teacher, support for learning teacher or the parent.

For things like assessments or referral to an ed psych, again it's usually prompted by the class teacher, but if it isn't parents can request them.

Where it is fairly different though...my DS has fairly complex needs, but is no longer seen by any other agencies, SALT and OT have discharged him, so he doesn't qualify for a CSP, there's no-one else to co-ordinate so the school just get a free reign anything in his IEP wouldn't be legally binding on their part, which is frustrating as children with less support needs would still qualify for one just because there is other agency involvement.

I agree the involvement of other agencies is the key factor to getting a CSP. Many children with severe and complex needs do not get CSPs even although they have been discharged from services that feel they can no longer help them.

That really is a worry our OT has discharged us as apparently they are only allowed to offer a 6 week block of sessions and then that is your lot!! And there is no OT in school so where on earth does that leave us??

The most annoying part of this though is the minister put his proposals out and 90% people disagreed with them and he just decided to go ahead anyway. What is the point of a consultation process?

Statements will go in England and Wales too, if 2 UK regions are doing without. Couple that with the academies & free schools reduced accountability & the future looks grim.

Homeschooling isn't my preferred option by any means cos of the reduced opportunities for good peer role model interaction but it may be worth beginning to consider planning now for from approx 2017 onwards for those of us currently unaffected by this. (there are lots of practical and financial issues around homeschooling long term, from social interaction, to public exams and paying the mortage).

Many teachers are simply not trained enough to readily spot and help children with special or additional educational needs.

Knocking six weeks off the process in Scotland still means a CSP will take 5 months (sounds better writing 20 weeks) and I see no mention of any rights of appeal.

As for this gem as well in this article:-
"The Department of Education said the main aim is to change the mind-set among parents that only a "statement" of special needs can give adequate help to their children".

Words fail me, shooting is too good for them. On a personal note the statement has given my son legal protection.

I've no idea if what they're talking about adopting is similar to Scotland or just shares a name - but there are definitely rights to appeal Attila.

But, the ASN system is different in Scotland overall, I don't know how adopting CSPs within the SEN system would work exactly.

It isn't that teachers are left to spot specific problems, because you're right they don't have the training, class teachers flag up issues - it's not up to them what happens after that, I don't think that's any different up here really? Instead of SENCOs we have Support for Learning teachers, but they do the same job.

There's an enquire leaflet about CSPs - if anyone wants to compare it with statementing... but like I said, I don't know if it's just the same terminology or if it will be a similar set up.

that's because parents know only a statement can give ANY KIND OF LEGAL PROTECTION to ensure their child gets an adequate education.

My reasons for applying included protecting my lad from abuse.

I've done a pgce - 4 hours instruction in no way prepped me to help my OWN child ffs. SENCOS range from the incredible and dedicated to the clueless but grateful for the increased salary depending on how motivated they are personally, as they often have to pay for what we would class as essential training themselves.