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SN children

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

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Original poster

Radio 5 phone-in about special needs

22 replies

Summer123 · 15/05/2012 09:15

Hi all
Radio 5 is doing a phone-in this morning about this. Anybody fancy calling to let them know what its really like?

OP posts:

Soutty · 15/05/2012 09:22

Oh god, I expect there will be lots of ignorant comments like the ones in the Daily Mail today. Don't know why I read them, just depressed me for the day if the weather wasn't bad enough...

You are right though Summer, some brave souls will be needed to balance out all the why should my kids suffer because of all the so called autistic/adhd kids disrupting them munters that will be calling in.

UnChartered · 15/05/2012 09:25

now?

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 09:33

I would

UnChartered · 15/05/2012 09:35

it ended with some arsehole bigwig saying that the new bill is to crack down on unscrupulous schools dxing SN so they can claim extra funding

like we all know that happens

alison222 · 15/05/2012 09:46

~They were talking about this on LBC this morning also, before I went on the school run.
I'm at work now so no idea if it is still going on. There does not seem to be any information about who/what will no longer classify as a SEN to get help.

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 09:51

It does sound a money saving scheme and about 1.5 million kids will not be classed as sen any more. They are supposed to be putting something else in place, let's hope they keep there word. I have a feeling it will be SA and SA+ that will be under threat.

However on a positive note those who are statemented should remain and those who are severe have the chance for an individual education + health care needs funding package...............which suits me, without sounding harsh.

UnChartered · 15/05/2012 09:55

i think you're right dev SA and SA+ will be at risk.

which is great as DCs in 'moderate' need will have to deteriorate into 'severe' need to access school support. which (if you believe the spin/hype/bullshit) is happening already to gain increased funding

in reality it could mean that DCs (such as mine) will be left struggling in an environment that is pitched against them

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 10:21

however they are supposed to be putting something else in place, it'll be like rebranding a name and taking the onus off education as much and including health.

I do think there will be some who slip under the net which is unfortunate.

However it will give the likes of me what's needed instead of the norm not being able to educate and treat DS due to time and finance. So I welcome the budget.

Then if you look at those who are on individual budgets it should free up the time and school finance to cover those who would be SA and SA+ hopefully iyswim.

SallyBear · 15/05/2012 10:25

The thing that bothered me about it all was the fact that they will try and make these packages available soon after birth if there is Dx. What happens if the birth Dx isnt actually the bigger problem, but something later that appears?! DS4 - Craniofacial condition that gives him HI and SLT issues Dx at birth. Severe ASD Dx at 2!! Guess which is the bigger problem, because it is just that "a bigger problem"!! Sorry. Feeling very about all of this.

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 10:30

It probably will kick in on diagnosis whenever that may be or when the profs/medics involved feel it necessary. My son was diagnosed at birth but the issues he has now are much more than then, his have added to as the years go on. It should and probably will be assessed ongoing, so the budget should fluctuate iyswim.

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 10:32

must say though, the individual budget will not be as much as it should and parents will end up footing some of the cost, probably out of the never ending DLA. However the position we are in means even a penny gets my DS more help than the support he is getting now.

TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission · 15/05/2012 10:36

actually it's the single assessment that scares the crap out of me the most. Dd3 is currently under about 12 different consultants, therapists and professionals, how on earth is this single assessment going to get all that covered and understood? I'd like a LOT more detail on how it will actually work before saying it's a good thing but maybe I'm just being cynical?

UnChartered · 15/05/2012 10:38

one phrase sticks out like a huge sore thumb with pustules on it

'too many children are being labelled with having special needs'

wtaf?

this is a plan to deny support to vulnerable children

SallyBear · 15/05/2012 10:40

I know what you mean Ninja. We are under three different hospitals with DD. 8 different consultants and two therapists spread over these 3 hospitals, and that's just for Plastics!!

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 10:45

I agree Ninja we need a lot more clarity on the ins and outs. However I do like the idea of health and education joining together. Plus I can only assume under our current dire needs that me getting financial power to help DS, that I am able to put this to much better use than the profs who realistically don't really know him.

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 10:50

what they are saying though is not all vulnerable children are SEN.

SallyBear · 15/05/2012 10:51

My DD incidentally was the first child in our LA 10 years ago to be joint funded by Health and Education.

TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission · 15/05/2012 10:51

I agree, it sounds good on paper and would be great to have everyone talking rather than the, we don't get involved in the education side from the health side and vice versa. Undoubtably you'd do a much better job at getting your ds the support he needs!

devientenigma · 15/05/2012 10:53

I suppose it also doesn't have to be for everybody and you probably will still have the choice should you not take the individual budget.

TheNinjaGooseIsOnAMission · 15/05/2012 10:54

sally, I think dd3 may be joint funded too, I know they were all arguing over who was wasn't going to pay for her placement.

StarshitTerrorise · 15/05/2012 10:56

I don't mind less children being defined as SEN.

Many of them, including DS only have SEN because the teachers haven't got the experience, training or expertise to educate him.

That isn't the teachers fault though, it is the Government and th LAs.

I would prefer a strategy that led to children not being identified as SEN NOT to meet a target, but just because it wasn't needed.

Triggles · 15/05/2012 12:18

I don't honestly know the local criteria for putting a child on SA or SA+ or having them identified as having SEN. I just know DS2 has SNs and a statement with FT 1:1.

I am waffling a bit regarding bringing medical into it more along with education. In our case, DS2's paed, OT, and SALT are very much involved with the school, attend meetings about DS2, and the OT and SALT see him fairly regularly in school as well. But then, they are all very supportive - both the school and medical personnel.

If it was coordinated smoothly, I would think it could only benefit the child. Unfortunately, with some of the schools people have talked about here, it could end up being a bit of a bunfight IYSWIM, with reluctant school personnel not happy to be "advised" by medical personnel and such.

Again, it just comes down to "why do they have to make it so blasted complicated and difficult for us as parents to get support for our children?"

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