Statements

[lentilbake]

My son was assessed last year by a multiprofessional team who said theat he would need a statement when he starts school.
He is nearly 4 and due tstart school in september and has been offered a place in the maintream school of my choice. A request has hust been put in for a statutory assessment and I have just heard back from the LA who want my signature before decide whether to proceed or not.

I feel he has made good progress in his development in the hsort time since the request was put in and wondered whether I should proceed. I and one other professional did wonder ehether he was "bad" - hate using taht word but too tired atm to think of another- to need a statement, and it costs the LA and therefore tax payers a ridiculous amount of moeny to do the assessment, but I don't want him to struggle in school. I also worry taht if he i statemented and I want to change schools that may be a problem as need permission to take him out i think if he is statemented. I also dont want to put him through any more assessments or meeting new people although obviously he will have to get used to meeting new people once he starts there.

The other thing is that the LA letter says that Social srvices have been informed of the possibility of the asessment -this is a legal requierement . They will only be involved if the child is or has been known to them but he is known to them as i have been assessed a couple of times in the past. Each time they said there was no role for them and didnt need to be involved or refer me on to other services. The firt time they wiorkrs were lovely but last time the SW made me feel really uncomfortable and i couldnt cope with having her involved!

Any thoughts? Anyone had social services involved in the statementing process?

bump

There are no disadvantages to having a statement for your child (sod the LA's expense IMO your child comes first) If you wish to change schools you just request a change to part four, that change can't be denied if the school has a place,can meet your child's needs and their admission won't be detrimental to other children. Even if they refuse you have the right of appeal. As for SS it's only a form that asks if the child is currently known to them and receiving support. They'll tick the no box because they aren't involved and will try not to be involved throughout your child's life even when you need support believe me.
Go on sign the forms, your child deserves the best chance and you can make that happen.

Who applied for the Statement initially and when was this request made?.

Statements can take six months (minimum) to set up so it is unlikely that a statement will be in place for September.

Am glad to read that you feel he has made good progress in his development but I would keep the statement request going regardless and appeal their decision in the event the LEA say no. Things can and do change in school and he may well need extra support, also the statement doc is legally binding unlike anything like School Action Plus (which can be limited in scope and too easily curtailed).

"I also worry taht if he i statemented and I want to change schools that may be a problem as need permission to take him out i think if he is statemented"

Your son has not got the statement yet so this is conjecture on your part. Infact I do not think that this above supposition is correct anyway.

I unfortunately cannot help with the Social Services question but do recall my LEA going to them to see if my child was known to them.

Sign the form and get it back to the LEA asap.

Re funding, it is not something that should unduly concern you at all.

Social services will usually only write a report if they are actively involved by which they usually mean the disabled children's team if receiving respite etc. I would hope anything else would not be relevant