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Original poster

How much input does portage worker have?

21 replies

Crawling · 18/02/2013 15:33

Developmental peadiatrician, school, dd 1:1 support worker and ed pysch when I saw her last all agree that dd wont cope in MS school and needs a special unit.

Portage worker keeps trying to talk me out of special unit. Today she tried to talk me out of statutory assessment. She said "I should wait a bit as dd has only just started play group "

I said "no because SA takes 26weeks". S

She said " ed pysch will sort out help why not wait till ed pysch decideds" I
i said " Ive been waiting since September and so far im no closer to getting help for dd"

She said" dd has fitted in well at play group" I
I said"Yes but her 1:1 support worker feels she is doing well because of support and would not cope in MS also head teacher has admitted they cant meet dds needs and both are writing letters stating this" S

She then said "well its your choice but MS is not that bad"

How much input will she have in the decision about what support dd needs?

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Original poster
Crawling · 18/02/2013 15:34

Sorry about spelling and grammer Im on my phone and its playing up.

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MerryCouthyMows · 18/02/2013 15:58

I'm worrying about this with my HV. She keeps insisting that he 'needs to be around normal (yes, she DID say that...) children, to model their behaviour'.

And going on about how the SN Nursery I have found that thinks they can cope with ALL his issues, even the severe allergies, she is saying that she 'doesn't believe SN school is the correct placement'.

Sooo, a MS school with a Speech Unit attached isn't a good placement for a 2yo with a speech delay of over a year, Isn't the correct placement, then?!

AngryAngryAngry

Original poster
Crawling · 18/02/2013 16:05

MerryCouthy Angry some people are just stupid. Im also fed up of the suggestion that dd is behind in speech because she hasnt gone to a play group. When all my reasearch suggest that in order to have dd level of speech delay it would have to be neglect and abuse to cause it Angry. Luckily my HV is supportive it seems we all get one useless HCP Angry

I hope you get your placement.

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autumnsmum · 18/02/2013 16:09

hello I think ultimately the view of the majority of the professionals will be taken into account over one person .my dds portage worker changed her mind about dds placement after seeing her at preschool.she changed from recommending a unit to special school.in our case they said that the fact that ds 8 has autism and my partners depression was also a factor for recommending special school as our family wouldn't cope with a failed ms placement hope that helps.

Original poster
Crawling · 18/02/2013 20:04

Thanks I just hope her reports dont change ed pychs opinion Sad

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Original poster
Crawling · 19/02/2013 16:51

Portage worker strikes again I spoke to school handed them a recent report on dd and they said they dont feel they can meet her needs and are going to support in any way they can. Portage worker said they dont know dd like she does and are wrong she also said dd would learn bad behaviour from other children if she goes to a special unit but in MS she will learn good behaviour.

She said there is hardly anything wrong with dd I pointed out she has extreme sensory issues as confirmed by OT she has over a yer speech delay as said by SALT she has no danger awareness and she doesnt communicate with her peers she has routine bound behaviour but I was told im being too negative grrrrr Angry She also tried to force me to let play group attempt to potty train as they have had more luck than me with speech ( pecs helped her to speak not play group) and I am taking a break from potty training on advice from pead HV and OT.

Im so angry and sad.

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Original poster
Crawling · 19/02/2013 16:54

She also advised against me including any reports, the letter from school saying they cant meet dd needs and letter supporting my decision from 1:1 in my request for statutory assessment as I dont need them and they will just slow the process down.

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autumnsmum · 19/02/2013 18:35

crawling just to say you have my total sympathy in a horrible situation you must feel furious with the portage worker is your dd due. To start school sep this year or next year because like you say statutory assessment can take forever

Original poster
Crawling · 19/02/2013 18:39

She was supposed to start last September but school refused to take her as they dont think they can meet her needs. At least the head teacher is fully suportive and is also pushing for a special unit.

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autumnsmum · 19/02/2013 18:42

You poor thing trying to sort out school placements is the most stressful thing ever I'm hoping they won't stop my dd going to special school now her speech has improved a bit and toilet train when you and dd are ready for it no one else

Original poster
Crawling · 19/02/2013 18:46

Thanks autumnsmum dds improvement in speech is what started this issue with Portage worker. I hope you manage to get your dd her specialist place.

Thanks I feel better knowing others would be upset and angry at her comments. It also helps to know you wouldnt push the toilet training as its so easy to doubt yourself.

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autumnsmum · 19/02/2013 19:25

With my son he wasn't toilet trained till he was four and a half he had autism trying earlier would have stressed him far to much

Walter4 · 19/02/2013 20:08

It's not really her place to tell you that there is not much wrong with you're daughter! How is she qualified to say this? I feel she is behaving dreadfully and very irresponsibly, I don't believe you should listen to her about not including report from school and OT... What's the point of these people writing them if all you need is a portage workers opinion!!

These people make me SO angry!

Original poster
Crawling · 20/02/2013 08:23

Thanks both I barely controlled my anger. I just hope she doesnt change ed pychs opinion thats all I dont know what ill do if dd doesnt get a special unit place.

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Walter4 · 20/02/2013 19:29

I would imagine the ed phyc will not take too well at a portage worker giver them advice!

MareeyaDolores · 20/02/2013 19:55

"She also advised against me including any reports... in my request for statutory assessment as I dont need them and they will just slow the process down"

I think this lady has lost the plot. Having her own views about a child's potential, is ok. She can write her dissenting report for you to enclose with the others. But saying giving 'panel' a full picture will slow things down?

MareeyaDolores · 20/02/2013 19:59

Or flannel her

"DD's doing so well cos of all the marvellous early years you and playgroup are giving her, I just want to make sure she keeps that high standard of provision through infant school, so she will be able to join mainstream later on, perhaps for juniors, you're so right it's best for her, but not yet, she needs the foundations first".

After all, early intervention is key Wink

Original poster
Crawling · 20/02/2013 20:02

To be honest I feel major paranoid and wonder if the suggestion to not include statements and reports is because she really doesnt want dd in a special unit . But as I suffer greatly with paranoia, I keep telling myself im being silly and she is probably just being a bit silly.

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Original poster
Crawling · 20/02/2013 20:04

Mareeya I said something similar ( but not as eloquent) and was given a catsbum face Angry.

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MareeyaDolores · 20/02/2013 22:13

Don't you lose portage when you get up to 15 hours of preschool Wink

Original poster
Crawling · 21/02/2013 09:21

Mareeya Grin that should come in handy thanks.

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