PRU seems good.lEA want me tackett NIL as you can go there without one.

[starfish71]

Went to visit the PRU this morning. It did surprise me to be honest. Seems like they have good staff, quiet environment, similar children to DS, experienced with children 'on the spectrum'.

Just come off the phone with ASD advisory teacher who told me she can see DS doing well there..

Sad she had spoken to head case officer and that reason they haven't given statement is because he doesn't need one to go there.

I cried. I know she works for the LA but she kept saying "do you really want to put yourself through an appeal when he could have everything he needs at the PRU".

I will pick myself up but I am doubting myself now that I will be doing the right thing. BUT I know things can go wrong, that is why we are where we are now. He needs the protection of a statement doesn't he?

We are in Wales Star.

Just say that the PRU is not a suitable placement as it cannot support his specific disabilities and cannot provide an education that is commensurate with his ability.

Go on to say that his primary diagnosis is ASD and the anxiety is a comorbid condition. Any good specialist ASD school deals with very, very anxious children as a matter of course, so to say he couldn't attend school until his anxiety decreases is incorrcet.

You therefore want a specialist placement that can support his primary ASD diagnosis and provide the continuity of education that is important to prevent his anxiety escalating due to uncertainity about his future school placement.

Then tell them that you will be appealing the refusal to issue a Statement and that you expect them to increase their home tutition to a minumim of 5 hours per week iaw with Dept of Education guidance.

Don't appear weak - play hardball.

Thanks leonie and wet, god what a horrible day.

Still can't get over asd teacher, she knows my DS is capable of so much but seems happy to let him fester in a all be it half way decent PRU.

Won't be able to look at her the same way now.

So they could give you a statement but won't because they would rather make you appeal and let another 4 months go by. I agree they can name the ASD unit now but the PRU as a stepping stone to PRU.
Look at LGO report out of sight out of mind it says that home tuition should be full-time e.g. 25 hours per week - although Michael Gove just repealed the circular the report was based on.
What evidence do they have his anxiety stops him going to PRU? APart from the ASD teacher who is not a psychologist.
ASD teachers always back their colleagues in SEN - ours worked with the SEN officer to stitch up a web of lies against us
I agree you have excellent evidence that if he is too anxious for ASD unit he needs to go to indep SS which will give continuity and security until 19 and have on site psych support
By playing this 'too severe to go to a unit' card they are shooting themselves in the foot
I would not bother negotiating further just issue the appeal and ask the tribunal to shorten the timeframe

It is really just sinking in that lea officer and asd teacher think that because DS suffers from anxiety due to his asd that there is no point in naming asd placement as"what would be the point as he may never get there".

I am so cross, how dare they. If the LEA had got off their backsides sooner DS would be in a placement by now.

I will try and look up that report, thanks Agnes. Am shell shocked but WILL appeal.

I really want to thank everyone who has posted and given me advice on this thread. Wil work on my appeal application this weekend, DH going to help me put it together. Any further advice though be great. I feel really she'll shocked after the farce of yesterday's meeting.

Thanks Leonie, you have helped a lot. Am sure be contacting you for a moan soon! x

Thanks Leonie, will leave you to recover your voice for today! (hope you feeling ok).

Right, I have completed my appeal form, got copies of NIL, Advices and written my reasons for appeal.

Next is sending DH for a big envelope so I can post on Monday.

DH wants to do the email to Named Twit at the LEA just to clarify his offer of this letter which offers (at some point in the future if the sun shines for ten days in a row and there are pigs flying over head..) that he will turn the NIL into a statement and say thanks but no thanks we are goin to appeal.

Letting him take care of that one, I may tweak it but I think, given my mood he will put it better than me!

Good for you. You will feel better once its sent.
Do the Request for Changes form now and submit it to SEND with the appeal asking for the appeal to be expedited. You give reasons - that your DS needs specialist placement which requires a statement and PRU not suitable placement - and then explain that the LA should be able to meet shorter timetable as there have been detailed assessments already. You could also say there is no real disagreement about your son's needs or even as to the eventual placement needed, everyone agrees he needs ASC unit - the disagreement relates to the LA wanting to place in a PRU for an undefined period rather than move straight to specialist placement. You can say as the issues in dispute are few and needs known that both parties should be able to move to tribunal within a much shortened timetable. You can also say that uncertainty / a series of placements is not helpful for your DS and is why the tribunal needs to be heard urgently. Also say your DS is only receiving x hours of home tuition currently and not been in FT education since y.
You should also send a copy of this to the LA and ask them to confirm in writing if they agree to your application to reduce the timetable - if they agree the Tribunal will just agree it on papers. If the LA disagree they will need to come up with reasons why the usual tribunal timeframe (6 months) is needed.
As June / July tends to be crazy time for tribunal - there is a good chance you could get your appeal brought forward to Oct time as that tends to be quieter.
When you get to Tribunal (if it goes that far) or settles you also ask the Tribunal to reduce the timeframe the LA have to make a Statement (again on the basis that needs already known etc)
If the LA know they will be facing a tribunal soon after the holidays (the ASD teacher won't work holidays) there is a higher chance they will back down sooner.

Thank you agnes that is really useful. I haven't found where is best for DS yet, hoping to see another unit next week, should I post or wait till I have decided where I want him to go and not just the type of placement?

Well have got the papers in the envelope all ready for posting in the morning, have emailed Named officer advising him of our decision to proceed with the appeal so Phew!

Feel a bit shaky but glad we have made the decision and I do feel it is the right one.

Now when can I pour myself a glass of wine? :)

WOOHOO!

Just had phone call, they are going to issue!!!

Am shaking! Thank you everyone for all the support!

:o

Begging me not to post appeal! :)

Wow - that's great news Starfish. Shows what being positive and knowing your rights can do.

Thank you! The support and knowledge on this board is fantastic!

Oh I feel wonderful!

You are all wonderful! xxxx

Leonie's right - another MNSN success story! It must be a big relief.

Fantastic news, starfish, well done you!

Ah, well done Starfish!

Keep your eye on the appeal deadline though. And if it doesn't arrive promptly, submit appeal anyway. You can always withdraw, but you already know that they faff and time waste so don't start believing in them just because of something they said on the phone!