Think i'm going to bite the bullet . .

[littlelegsmum]

Dh & I think the only way we are going to get anywhere with the school is if we apply for a SA . . Apart from the obvious websites, like ACE & IPSEA, can anyone point us in the right direction or any keywords that we need to use that will make them see how much DD needs some support (and I don't care who supplys it).

DD is Year 6 and we obviously know it's a long process as it is so would like to start the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Thanks for reading and any possible advice :)

have you got parent partnership involvement? i was drected to them via the school ds is going to be joining in september, i've only heard good from them in my area, they help with the statement process.

IPSEA have a standardised letter that you can send to the LA. I would send that and advise the school you have sent a request for SA.

Is she on school action plus at school? Do you have an EP report showing her issues and needs? camhs reports? psych reports? dx report?

Normally if the LA agree to assess they will send an LA EP into your dds school to assess there and will also send her to a School Doctor (community Peadiatrician)

You have to prove that the school is not meeting her needs as it stands.

The LA will ask you for your parental views. From milestones, health to any concerns you have.

What do the school have in place for her now and how is she coping.

School reports are another good one to send off if it shows she is behind her peers and therefore needing support in areas.

Will she be moving to a new school for Year 7? The SA process normally takes at least six months, so a statement would probably only take effect in the next academic year if you put in a request now. It's a good idea to just send the IPSEA letter now to get the ball rolling.

It's worth putting in a request for her full school file under the pupil information regs now, as the file can sometimes get lost in the transfer between primary and secondary. It could have useful information about her levels/issues at school etc, both for the SA request and also to pass on to a new school even if she doesn't get a statement - some schools can be very poor about passing on relevant information.

Contact a Family have an education advice line, it's another option if you can't get in touch with IPSEA/ACE.

You need to get yourself a copy of the SEN code of practice.

There's a book called something like 'Velvet Bulldozer' which is a guide for navigating the SN/SEN system, written by jaded experienced parents. I glanced at a copy once, it seemed quite good. Wouldn't spend loads on it but if it's under a tenner it's probably useful.

I'd never heard of that, Bialy but I've looked it up and it seems really rather good. I think I'll get it.

www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DfES%200581%202001

link to the sen code of practice as recommended by star above. If you ring up they will post you out a free copy also. good luck.

Oooops, I lost the thread!

Anyway, thank you all so much for taking the time to reply. I'm currently not with it and can't sleep very well, but i'll be back at a more respective hour and looking in more detail! :)

Hi

I have heard this book recommended quite a few times recently.

In my parental advice for Statutory Assessment I pulled phrases like 'barriers to learning' out of the SENCOP and used them liberally.

I was advised to number and cross-reference absolutely everything and make it ridiculously easy to navigate your information and evidence. I numbered every paragraph of the parental advice and cross referenced my appendices/evidence/reports to every part of the parental advice where they were relevant.