What information to put in for a statement request.

[OneInEight]

Following ds's recent exclusions and the likelihood he will be permanently excluded because of his violent behaviour at school we have decided to ask for statutory assessment. He has been on school action plus for nearly a year but behaviour has got worse. The ds's are 10 and are being tested for HFA. I am not optimistic at succeeding as he is still doing well academically (goodness knows how given his attitude). Has anyone been successful in these sort of circumstances and, if so, what did you put in? I am convinced the behaviour is due to anxiety, stress and social problems as he is far better behaved in school holidays. Is it a good idea to put in what sort of help I think he needs or will this annoy them! Formal diagnosis we have been told will take at least six months so I would rather not delay things till then. Also complicated by the fact we are hoping to move at the end of the school year to a different county. Any advice much appreciated.

It is not impossible to get a statement even if a child is doing well academically.

You need to get yourself a copy of SEN COP - google it and you can download it from the Internet. Can't do link on the iPad!

Look at chapter 7. You will see the different areas of difficulty - communication, physical, social and emotional and behavioural etc.

See what evidence, from you, from school, from others you have under each of these heads. Does he see outside agencies - SLT, OT etc? All evidence he needs more support than a school can manage from its resources,

You have clear evidence he is being deprived of access to the curriculum if he is being excluded.

Why isn't school doing this? Are they onside? Schools are under pressure to cope and manage without asking for statements but they clearly aren't coping if he is being excluded.

I guess if he's y6 the school are thinking he's not going to be their problem for much longer. My school managed to get a statement for a DC which was finalised in July, just before he left (he only joined the school in Y5) but I think my school is pretty exceptional. Most seem to be glad to wash their hands of our DC. Start the process, certainly, but be aware that statements aren't properly transferable between LAs. The new LA will usually honour a statement but will want to do their own assessment ASAP, which may well change the provision. Not that I'm suggesting delaying, far from it, as it would be much better to get something in place before secondary.

If he's Y5 you have a little more breathing space, but realistically you won't have this finalised before 6 months, even without any appeals.

Does your DS see any behavioural specialists? If not, could he? It sounds like his behaviour is a problem if the school are excluding him. TBH, if he kicks off at school that may help you to get an assessment despite it being upsetting. And the school resorting to excluding him should also be good ammunition.

Thankyou for the advice. At least I have a days respite today as school is closed due to the snow much to ds2's delight. Mind you, ds1 is throwing a tantrum because he wants to go into school so not all good.