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SN children

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

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Original poster

Statutory Assessment - Panel Met Today

46 replies

steelev48 · 13/03/2012 18:30

Hi. The school recently applied for a statutory assessment of my son's SEN. The panel were due to meet and discuss this today.

How long does it take for them to inform me of their decision and do I have to wait for a letter or can I call and ask?

Thanks.

OP posts:

auntevil · 15/03/2012 21:16

steelev - trust me, you would not be the first to do battle with Sutton LEA - but there are those that win. Keep positive, remember what could be achieved.

Mumtoprem · 16/03/2012 06:26

steelev - Sorry to hear your news. Good luck with the appeal. We still haven't heard anything from our LEA (Ealing) but going to try and give them a call later but think their policy is to put it in writing.

mummytofive · 16/03/2012 11:05

steelev, how are you feeling now you have had a bit of time? the forms are daunting but luckily this group has a huge source of knowledge, plus the help sites. everything is such a battle.
we got our letter agreeing to asses our ds, so now i have to try and work out everything he will need. I have already seen the speech report for assesment which looked good, but who knows!

Original poster

steelev48 · 16/03/2012 11:35

mummytofive, so glad your request for an assessment was accepted. Good luck with the rest of the process.

I'm feeling a little more positive and a lot more 'fluey', thank you for asking!

I've left a message for Parent Partnership to call me as I think I want to try talking to the LA first before launching an appeal. On re-reading the letter, they have accepted that my son has 'significant' special educational needs. The recommendations that they made have been tried over the last few YEARS and do not work for my son. I'm wondering if they actually read everything as both the school's application and my 'Parental Advice' make a number of references to this.

Anyway, I shall see what PP have to say and then take it from there.

OP posts:

mummytofive · 16/03/2012 13:34

it sounds like you have a strong case as these things have been tried and failed! our ed psyc told the school if it didnt go thru then to submit it straight away again, maybe the school can aswell as you talking to pp? I am very green on everything, so this might not be right?

AttilaTheMeerkat · 16/03/2012 15:01

steelev,

re your comments:-

"I'm feeling a little more positive and a lot more 'fluey', thank you for asking!
I've left a message for Parent Partnership to call me as I think I want to try talking to the LA first before launching an appeal. On re-reading the letter, they have accepted that my son has 'significant' special educational needs. The recommendations that they made have been tried over the last few YEARS and do not work for my son. I'm wondering if they actually read everything as both the school's application and my 'Parental Advice' make a number of references to this.

Anyway, I shall see what PP have to say and then take it from there".

Glad to read that you are feeling a bit better but do not wait solely for PP to get back to you. They are not always totally independent of their lords and masters the LEA and can therefore tow the LEA party line on such matters. You need to also speak to someone totally independent.

I would be giving SOSSEN a call, today if you can. In any event you personally must appeal the LEAs decision not to assess.

Oblomov · 19/03/2012 21:17

Just wanted to join in, if thats' o.k. Hope your let me join you for the 'ride'. Would prefer to have a go on a ride a Thorpe park (round the corner from me), i.e. nemisis or stealth, rather than the ride I know I am about to get on, with my LEA. But oh well.
I posted my Appendix 1A today. well, the report that went with it , of 10 pages, and 25 pages of EP, Paed reports etc. Panel meet in a week.
Occured to me tonight, that I don't know what I am supposed to be doing whilst I wait. What am I supposed to be preparing? Am I supposed to start to visit schools, now, so that i know which one to ask for when we get to the school naming bit? Any other advice of what I am supposed to be doing now, would be very gratefully received !!

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/03/2012 21:23

Download the appeal documents from IPSEA and start considering your argument if they refuse. Even if they don't refuse, these kind if considerations and forms will help you formulate your view and arguments. They will also help you manage your worry of what might happen if it is refused.

By all means go and see schools and meet SENCOs too.

Oblomov · 19/03/2012 21:31

Starlight, you are right of course. I will. I have already looked at them. But I will download them and start on them.
But first, I will day a couple of days off. I have been workign on my report every day for the last week, sometimes till 2am. I think I need a break.
Talking of break, the saturday before mothering sunday, I had a very bad diabetic hypo. I think it was all the stress. I fell over and have broken my nose, when I was fitting. So I now have a broken nose, 2 black eyes and a limp, where my body was spasming. So yes, i need a break!

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/03/2012 21:41

You asked what to do while you were waiting, so I gave you something useful.

You do sound like you need a break though and tbh, you would be wise to factor those in regularly as a necessity. Downloading the forms (post break) is actually supposed to reduce anxiety a little though. It has always been important for me to have a plan B, to help me cope with the 'what if's'. I.e I never feel helpless or disempowered if things don't turn out how I feel they should have.

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/03/2012 21:43

But well done for completing that bugger of a contribution, - it can be soul destroying and feel as if your child's whole future rests on it.

In actual fact it doesn't but things are certainly easier if things go right first time.

Oblomov · 19/03/2012 21:46

sorry, you are of course right about downloading them asap. You weren't to know what had happened to me this weekend. I do appreciate your suggestions, which I will of course follow.

StarlightDicKenzie · 19/03/2012 21:57

Ah oblov, I suspect it is partly to do with the thought of more bloody paperwork too.

Don't worry. When you've built up a bank and consolidated your 'story' it gets easier.

Original poster

steelev48 · 20/03/2012 19:28

Can any of you tell me please, who can represent me at a tribunal other than a solicitor? Thanks.

OP posts:

Mumtoprem · 20/03/2012 20:48

Well we finally had it confirmed today that the LEA has approved our request for statutory assessment of our 3 year old. Any advice on what happens next would be welcome. I am slightly concerned the LEA is already saying they have put dd onto waiting list for special schools in the area as we would like her to go to mainstream with extra help.

Michelle

Original poster

steelev48 · 26/03/2012 13:19

Finally got through to IPSEA's Tribunal helpline today. Very useful advice and I'm now finally clear as to how I am going to approach this. Aiming to get the forms sent off this week.....

OP posts:

Oblomov · 28/03/2012 18:42

Glad to hear that steelev. I am going to try and ring them tonight. I need advice on how to phrase my appeal letter. I say this because panel meets today and i am almost certian that they will refuse to assess. School paint a fab picture. School could so easily support ds, if they chose to, with just a few little things thta would change him so very very much. But they refuse to. I need IPSEA's advice on how to get around that.

WetAugust · 28/03/2012 19:52

steeleve

Well done - you're definitely right to appeal.

Oblomov · 28/03/2012 21:50

I have just got off the phone from IPSEA. Was on the phone for 1 3/4 hours exactly. She said she had little advice for how to deal with my obstructive school and thought thta I would highly likely lose my appeal. But that I should appeal.
As I sit in bed typing, htis hasn't exaqctly filled me with ........ inspiration. I read Claw4(was claw3)'s thread tonight. I fear I may be going down part of her terrible road of lying school etc.
Feeling a bit ... sad, thats for sure.

WetAugust · 29/03/2012 00:01

Don't get too pessimistic Oblomov. You may well have to appeal but it's do-able. Am a bit disappointed to hear IPSEA's opinion but my own experience with them were pretty mixed so I wouldn't take what they said to heart.

You'll get there.

Original poster

steelev48 · 29/03/2012 16:12

Oblomov, I'm sorry to hear that IPSEA were unable to give you advice and that you are feeling uninspired. I hope things look up soon.

I called them for advice yesterday and although I was given some good advice, some of the things said made me come away feeling that perhaps I don't have a strong case after all and shouldn't bother with an appeal. However, I have gone through all of my 'evidence' again and have re-convinced myself that actually I do have a strong case but I need to re-think my wording for my reasons for appeal. I won't be asking for any more advice now until I receive the LEAs response otherwise I'll get all confused again!

OP posts:

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