IEP 18 months old! What should I do?

[SOTIRIA]

I have emailed school asking for an IEP for 6 months. I have had 2 meetings requesting the IEP and specific support. Some progress has been made but not enough. HT says IEP will be ready asap BUT ITS JULY!!!!! There is no point now.

What can I do now? Parent Partnership has been involved for 2 years.

Shall I complain to the chair of governors?

Who else could support/advise me?

Do you know who their class teacher will be in September? If so, then go chat with them about your child's additional needs, explain that you have an IEP but it's woefully out of date. Say it would be so much easier for teacher if you had an up-to-date one and could they help you get one/write one?

If teacher is willing s/he could write it out with you and present it to the SENCO and Headteacher.

I guess if the current teacher has been unwilling/unsuccessful in helping you get it updated there's little point involving them but you would think they would be liaising with next year's teacher to ease the transition.

Good Luck!

Thanks AnnaMM I've had a transition meeting with the new teacher but didn't mention the IEP. I think the CT has been blocked by HT. I worry that the HT who is also the SENCO will block things next year as well. He cancelled the annual review and claimed I'd asked him to.

You need to put this in writing with a copy to the chair of governors.

Don't get angry - just be firm and polite and say you have an 18 month old IEP and the SEN Code of Practice says they should be reviewed termly at least (I think - would need to check that).

Confirm that the AR has also been cancelled and ask for a date in the new term to establish and go through a new IEP.

Hi sotiria when you wrote about the HT blocking the teacher and being the SENCO, I thought you were talking about DD3's old school, then you said it was a man and our old awful HT was a woman.

Sadly when HT's are controlling like this and tell lies parents are often left with no choice but to move schools.

Write to the Governors and tell them what has been happening, copy the HT in and keep a copy of your letter. If nothing happens write to the LA and enclose a copy of the original letter.

You have to follow the correct protocol for complaining otherwise the LA will not help you [as I found out].

We still moved Dd3 in the end and found a brilliant school where she is thriving. Dont think that you cant look elsewhere because there are some good inclusive schools out there.

Good luck

it sounds like this has happened before, what was your experience Ineedalife? I worry that a lovely CT will take the blame for this and she has tried hard to support my ds. I have looked at other schools but dh is applying for jobs and I don't want to move schools twice. although it could take years to sell house etc

PS does anyone know for definite if the code of conduct says IEPs should be reviewed twice or three times a year

www.education.gov.uk/publications/eOrderingDownload/0581-2001-SEN-CodeofPractice.pdf

p54 says: "IEPs should be reviewed at least twice a year. Ideally they should be reviewed termly, or possibly more frequently for some children. At least one review in the year could coincide with a routine Parents? Evening, although schools should recognise that some parents will prefer a private meeting."

It's amazing what you can find online!

My son is only 3 so has only had one IEP but it actually stated when it was to be reviewed as part of the document.

This looks like a useful document too.
www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DCSF-00639-2008

I expect lots of people already know about this links but it's all new to me!

thanks Anna this is really helpful. I've been in the system 4 years and it is still hard. The IEP did have a review date Oct 2011 and we had a review meeting in May 2012 (I think) but still no IEP. I don't really mind no IEP if they are actually providing for his needs. They agree to my demands at meetings and don't follow through with them. I am going to complain about the IEP to the chair of governors so that I can try to get the support that they have already promised.