Is it time to think seriously about a statement? Idiots guide needed here...

[UnChartered]

Just back from a meeting which turned into a bit of a review with DDs school Head and SENCO. I needed to speak to the Head after DD told me some of the other children at school had been making comments about some of her behaviour (baby/scaredy cat ).

DD is already on SA+ (EY+) and has an IEP - this isn't due for review until June, but it's now going to be re-written as she is in obvious need.

She also had a SALT assessment which has brought up some interesting results - literal understanding is 4yrs (DD is 4.10yrs) vocabulary and vocalisation is 8yrs. The SALT is already bought into school and is on site on a weekly basis and has going to work with me to write a social story about toilets (it's all fun this ASD malarkey) and include DD in a social skills group.

SENCO has also suggested we have a named person to be able to challenge and at times physically check if DD needs to visit the toilet. DD regularly wets herself (not just daily, i mean frequently during the day) but very often doesn't tell anyone when she's done this. She can (usually) change her own clothes and will do this rather than tell anyone.

School have offered this help, and it will be written in to DDs EIP and SA+ record, but I'm wondering if we should have it as a statement, so that it's a more rigid declaration that she needs this help?

Or have I got the whole process messed up in my head and am barking up the wrong pole

*challenge? not sure why i put that in, can't even blame autocorrect i mean ask DD if she's been recently

Hi Unchartered.

I would definitely apply for a statement also it sounds as if you have got lots of evidence that your DD has additional educational and care needs. It would be a different story if the school were saying "Nope definitely no special needs here she is just fine etc" like they do with so many parents' but it sounds as if they really do recognise that your DD needs assistance and whilst they may not be too excited about having a statement that holds them legally accountable they probably would welcome the prospect of getting TA hours which you would almost certainly receive.
My DD had the same issue with toileting and that was included in her statement along with social/ peer interaction and keeping her on task as her attention can be zero.

I think having a statement is good as it will be formally reviewed every year and will follow your DD throughout her education. It is great that your current teachers and SENCO are so willing and help. But what if they left? Or what if you change schools and the new teachers aren't so willing or helpful. You might kick yourself!!

thanks Holy

it's a throwaway comment that DS2 has just made that has made me think about staff changes - the Head is closely linked with a children's centre that will need a new head very soon...

school are now coming up 'with the goods' - her class teacher is now waying she plays alongside her peers and that she is obsessive with rituals and pedantic when talking...it seems her autism is 'more' than we 1st thought

Righto then get the pen and paper out and get applying. It would be good to get the ball rolling now so that you might get something in place for next term.

Phone your LEA and ask who the SA request letter should be addressed to and their address. At this point you only need to state that you are requesting a SA and include details of your DD's school and DOB. You can then start to collate all your info any reports you have from professionals, any reports from CAHMS, IEP's etc etc. Anything that you feel might help your case. You need to think how exactly is your DD significantly behind her peers in terms of development and what assistance you need. The LEA wil write out to you within 28 days requesting further information from you and that's when you detail absolutely everything that you feel your DD needs help with. DH has all the legal jargon bits to put into the letter and there is also great info on the IPSEA site.

Just give me a shout if you need any help. Happy to assist xx

SA?

Statutory assessment! The proper term for a statement

SA is Statutory Assessment which they need to do to decide on a whether a statement is needed. These days you seem to have to prove she'll need a statement before they'll undertake the SA, which wasn't what was originally intended, but saves them money if they can put parents off before starting the SA. As HCJane says, IPSEA have some good standard letters.

There's lots of bedtime reading in the SEN COP look at the Statutory Assesment section.

i did say i needed the idiots guide - thanks for explaining, both

UnChartered, there is no harm in applying for a SA, but the criteria for getting one is that your dd has needs that will have to be met outside the school's own resources. If they can show that they are managing her needs then you won't be granted a SA let alone a statement.

Despite what they say (or even it's supposed purpose), a statement these days is really for the purpose of getting additional funding to help a child, and as such is a REALLY hard fight, as LA's don't like providing it.

Thanks Starshit - that's the sort of thing i'm thinking over.

Right now, with the current head, there are some very good resources being bought in, they have SALT in on a weekly basis, they have set up (even as of this afternoon ) a TA to be her named person for toiletting, but what happens to DD if these things are no longer available?

Maybe I don't need to apply for the Statement right now, but...well thinking about how she'll be if these things aren't in place is not a pleasant experience...

Well if I were you I'd get as much documentation on this additional provision and her need for it as you can. You are right to be concerned in the current climate, but as her needs actually ARE being met currently (are they?) you'd find it very difficult to get an agreement for SA.

You coukd perhaps ask an independent EP to assess her and her current level of support to ensure she really IS getting what she needs.?

Can I just point out that it is a misconception that schools receive extra money once a child has a Statement? Some LAs will do this, others expect schools to meet the cchilds needs from their delegated budget.

Who has said that schools receive extra money?

What child SN or otherwise NEEDS money?

In our case we had to prove that the school could NOT meet DD's needs with their current resources and that is why we applied for and got full time TA hours and statement. We were told by absolutely everyone that there is NO WAY we would get either of these things as DD has ADHD and dyspraxia and apparently it is unheard of to get assistance for these conditions.

i think it's also important to remember that not all LAs work in the same way - i don't know how ours works, i've never done this before

You are absolutely right! The general feeling is though it is a tough business it is hard work they are under monetary constraints and do not hand the statements or TA hours out without a fight. I found involving a solicitor early on improved our chances because they immediately took us seriously and knew we wouldn't be fobbed off. All my paperwork went into them with a covering solicitor letter.

Um star you did? , 'a statement these days is really for the purpose of getting additional funding to help a child', that's the bit I took to mean that 'who has said that schools receive extra money?'

Hmm, I think I worded it badly then. I meant that the child's provision gets funded.

The child gets additional provision funded that they otherwise woukd not get. Does that make it clearer?

But fwiw, the LA DOES give schools extra funding for children with statements. That is what delegated funding IS. Access to it should not be but almost always is contingent on having a statement.

Your LA might; ours doesn't. As far as I can be certain a child joining mid year won't attract additional funding to the school. They will have to use existing budget iyswim? Any how, point was, check what your LA does if it might be an issue ever.

I think the school are covertly telling you to

1. gather all this evidence now, as they will be leaned on later
2. Get ready to ask for SA and go to tribunal if need be.

This is a lot more help than they will be able to sustain long term without a statement. And generally children in the older years of primary need more 'extra' in comparison to their peers, than they did in early years.

Your dd might be just about struggling through for the moment, due to all the extra provision. But that's not good enough, she ought to be getting an 'adequate education' which for a child like your dd, means achieving academically and getting her life skills closer towards those of her peers.

Sadly, schools can't usually be that upfront. They're only really allowed to admit not meeting a child's needs if there are manifest and profound disabilities, or behavioural difficulties which might put other dc in danger.

Notactually, if a child came to a new school mid year with weekly OT and weekly SALT the school would not be expected to fund it out if their budget, not in any LA I know and I do know quite a few. The LA would give this to the school as an additional resource. therefore the statement has funding attached.