I think SENCO have took me for a mug.Need a rant and advice.

[flyingunderpants]

Abit of back ground.Last july school sent paperwork to LA SEN for DS to be assessed for a statement.
Got a letter from LA in october half term turning down DS down.A meeting took place at school with SENCO,LA and myself.It was decided that the school should remit the paperwork in jan,after they had had long enough to try things that EP had recommended.LA told SENCO she didn't need to change paperwork just add a copy of CAMHS,and SALT letter's,along with upto date learning support review.
Fast forward to now,SENCO hasn't sent paperwork.She said she is waiting for EP review,but nothing was said about that in meeting.
I think SENCO has delayed sending it back so it won't go through until after april.She kept saying she didn't think DS would get a statement because he is only having 15hrs a week support,and from april children have to need 20hrs to get a statement.
But DS has only made very small progress with 15hrs support.So i think he needs more.
I'm so angry.It's another school year wasted.Another year closer to starting high school, there is no way DS will be ready.

So where do i go from here?

Hi, sorry no advice but the penny has just dropped as to why my son's school mentioned statutory assessment to me in June but waited til December to submit it. Final statement due middle April. I'm not cut out for this!

LimboLil don't know about you but i feel so out of my depth,and very little support.
Apart from MN.
Hope all goes well for your DS.

I've had it hit the ground running to get to grips with dx, statement process and come to realise how naive I have been over the lat year!

i would be inclined to apply myself - then it will force the EP to come and see him - have the school said when they expect the EP to be available to see him? they only get a certain number of EP hours per year so that could possibly add to a delay. sadly parents are often misled by schools for various reasons and thats why the only way you can be certain that things are moving forward is by applying yourself

Re this part of your comment:-

"She kept saying she didn't think DS would get a statement because he is only having 15hrs a week support,and from april children have to need 20hrs to get a statement"

All I can say to that is the above she spouted is a lot of old cobblers!. Law has not changed any and they're basically trying to put you off from applying.

Also last July was the end of that school year.

SENCO does not need to wait for EP review surely?. Think the SENCO along with this school have let you down, honestly you'd be better off applying for the statement personally because you'd know its been done then. It can take upwards of 6 months to set up such a document even if the LEA readily now agree to assess so you're looking at the next school year for it to start properly.

IPSEA's website is very helpful www.ipsea.org.uk and I would read that along with the SEN Code of Practice which is available online.

bjkmummy DS has been seen by EP,but SENCO was trying to say she needs an upto date EP report.But my understanding is, this wouldn't be needed because the paperwork was fine, just sent to soon.So needed to be resubmitted in jan.

AttilaTheMeerkat I think she was talking old cobblers too.
Paperwork was send the last week of term.(july) LA then said in october, they didn't feel school had had long enough to put into place EP recommendations,from the May until July.But said to remit paper in jan,but this hasn't happened.

Can i apply myself,now that the school have already started to do it?
Thanks for all advice.

'Can i apply myself,now that the school have already started to do it?
Thanks for all advice'

Yep. In fact I would be willing to bet school haven't started to do it. But even if they have, you'll complete it faster. I bet you could get the ball rolling and submit your request in the post tonight.

'the paperwork was fine, just sent to soon.So needed to be resubmitted in jan.'

This is all nonsense too btw. No doubt the paperwork WAS fine, but there is no such thing as too soon. Either your ds will probably need a statement in the future (the actual qualifying criteria) or he doesn't.

You can apply right now. Handwrite what it says on IPSEA website (extract below) and drop the letter in to the civic centre on your way back from school pickup .

You can send in the additional information later in the week, along with whatever school stuff they want to send.

Dear Sir or Madam,
(child?s name) (date of birth)
Request for formal assessment
I am writing as the parent of the above child to request an assessment of his special educational needs under the 1996 Education Act.
(child?s name) attends ..................... school.
I believe that (child?s name)'s special educational needs are as follows:
This bit can be short. You'll be adding to it later

My reasons for believing that the school cannot on their own make the provision required to meet my child?s needs are:
This bit can be short too. You'll be adding to it this later as well

I understand that you are required by law to reply to this request within six weeks and that if you refuse I will be able to appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal.
Yours sincerely,
love and kisses, flyingunderpants

To just add to the excellent post below

'My reasons for believing that the school cannot on their own make the provision required to meet my child?s needs are:'

Child's needs are very complex and progress has been inadequate.

(This one line will make them pay attention).

Starlight sorry i wasn't very clear.The reasons LA turned down request for an assessment,was they felt the school hadn't had long enough to put into place EP requests,and to see if they would help DS.So after the meeting at school the LA decided the paperwork was fine just sent to soon.They decided with SENCO and myself that it would be resubmitted with CAMHS and SALT letter,which we had recieved after the school first applied.SENCO then decided to wait till jan,so they could say they had had an whole term using EP recommendations.But i have now found out SENCO haven't send it back off yet.
But i think you are right,i'm better off applying myself.Thank you for all the advice.
MareeyaDolores thank you that's really helpful.
I'm just worried i don't know all the correct terms ect.iykwim.

does this updated EP exist? have you seen a copy of it?

i would apply now as others have advised. We do beleive that SENCOs do have our childrens best interests at heart so take their advice but sometimes this just leads to delays and excuses.

what i have learnt through my 'journey' is that a lot of people are very well meaning but noone one will advocate for child like a parent can and a parent will be willing to go that extra mile to get the necessary support

I haven't gone through the statementing process but I completely agree with bjkmummy about the sencos having out children's best interests at heart but it can also lead to delays and excuses. Also agree with a lot of people are very well meaning but no one can advocate better for your child then you can.

Good luck with it all x

There isn't an update from the EP.SENCO said EP is due in school before easter.She has emailed her to add DS to her list of DC to see. That's why she hasn't sent the paperwork in.
Up until this happened i too thought SENCO had our DC's best interests at heart.But now i'm not so sure.She seems to be trying to put me off, wanting her to resubmit for the assessment.

Well it's less than 6 weeks until Easter. If you put in your request now, they have 6 weeks to reply. So sometime in their timescale, your ds will be seen no?

And you can be more certain that he will be prioritised and be seen, if you have started down the official route.

'from april children have to need 20hrs to get a statement.'

This is a blanket policy and illegal. Statements aren't just about hours either. They are about listing the child's entitlement to resources that enable them to access their education. It could be no hours but SALT, or a piece of equipment, or a coach to a social skills centre off site.

Thank you StarlightMcKenzie you are right.It's not just about hours,even though that is the only thing SENCO has talked about.
I have done an Request for formal assessment letter.Which i will post tomorrow.
Not sure if it will confuse the LA,because they are waiting for the school to resubmit.But i really don't feel i can wait any longer,plus i have lost all trust in the school/SENCO now.