How much detail do I need for letter requesting statutory assessment? HELP please!

[silverdarling]

DS, 12 has recently been diagnosed with ASD after years of being passed from one health professional to another. He is in his last year at middle school and due to transfer to high school next year. I have just had a meeting with the school SENCO and she agreed that it would be worth trying for a statement to enable him to receive appropriate support at high school.

I have the IPSEA model letter, I just need help in how much to say and how many copies of reports to attach at this stage. I have done an extensive search of old threads and some people say they have written seven pages and some a one page bullet pointed summary.

Any advice really appreciated especially from those with a diagnosis of ASD (and ADHD - inattention subset)

I just used the IPSea letter and sent iep, letters from school, dx letter - just a few reports to back it up - I didn't go into an awful amount of detail as that can be sent in later

Thanks, that's kind of what I thought. I asked the SENCO about the school doing a letter but she said they would do that when the LEA came back to them for more info. Any more thoughts much appreciated as I am determined to get this sent off this week.

When I put in the stuff I needed into the IPSEA letter it came to just under 2 pages. I sent that off then sent in physio letter and the last letter from her paed (both of which said the setting would need to request support for her). They then contacted the setting who had a 10 page form to fill in and they had to send latest IEP and review - and they have also written a letter of support. They've also contacted an Ed Psych who is coming to see DD next week.

As you can see, we're not very far along the road...

Bump, any tips really appreciated please!

Would you like a copy of my IPSEA letter? It's not at all relevant to your situation (3yo with physical disability) but would let you see the sort of stuff I wrote.

I gathered as much supporting evidence together (reports such as language, all the specialists) and put that with my letter. I waited to get it all together to give it the best chance. My letter followed Ipseas template, but also highlighted the details from reports that showed DS needed a statement.

You don't need to submit a lot of details for the initial letter. A summary of what your sons difficulties are and how they affect him and why do you think support is required. Once you have sent this letter, then they will get in touch with you within two weeks where they ask you to fill in a form and send in any evidence of what his needs are. They then have six weeks to decide whether to access or not.

Thanks everyone, I have heaps of reports so it is just deciding what is relevant to send initially as I know they will then come back to ask for evidence from all the professionals and I wondered if it is then that we would need to submit all the detail.

Galena, that would be kind if you have time to send your letter. Many thanks.

Get hold of a copy of the criteria for SA and the SEN Policy for your local area as they are all slightly different. Follow the IPSEA template and point out the criteria that DS meets. As he has a diagnosis and is no longer a mystery you will need current evidence of his needs not being met now in middle school. LEAs don't do preemptive strikes and issue statements for children who may not cope in the future in future settings. I know it seems like a long time but a year is not long in terms of the statementing process as an initial refusal is often par for the course and then adds 6 months or so. My DS is undergoing SA that was initially requested at the end if year 4 in July 2011 and has been unable to attend his new school. He is now out of school and could be for some time pending the outcome of SA/negotiation/Tribunal.