Got the Final . . . Lots still left out

[sweetteamum]

We've received the Final statement in the post and it's still got so many ammendments I sent in, missing. I haven't made the things up I want adding, I've taken them from the assessment reports. For example, things like thses are missing:

DD's overall understanding of a range of sentence structures was below the average range. More specifically, he ability to respond to a range of instructions, varying in length and including different linguistic concepts was significantly delayed

DD demonstrated specific details with sequential terms such as 'before' and 'after'

DD may demonstrate difficulties engaging in spoken discussion in the school environment where she has been unable to follow the comments and questions of others

DD's problem with receptive language are likely to impact upon her relationships and conversational skills

DD's verbal comprehension skills are extremely poor compared to that of her peers. They are in the bottom 1% for her age group

DD has difficulty understanding conventional standards of behaviour, social judgements, maturity and common sense

These are just a small number of them that have been left out. I just need to know if i'm being picky. I realise the school will get sent the reports but surely when they have to quickly check details off the statement in future, things like this are not going to be there.

Also, they are still waiting for funding acceptance for the indie special school we've asked for and will be letting us know in due course.

Oh and SALT is still in part 5/6 NOT part 3!!!!!

[KOKOagainandagain]

LA verbally agreed and named indi on the statement. We said we wanted DS1 to start asap - he never made it into a unit and in any case I did not think that it would help his transition to school. We agreed a date with the school and the school and parents told the LA when he was starting. The LA sent a letter confirming his start date. Once there is an agreement to fund placement they only need 5 days notice to arrange transport.

I would say that transition needs to start immediately and so the funded placement should be immediate not delayed until Sept.

[sweetteamum]

Sorry! What happened after it had all been agreed for you. . Did you receive another letter or did they tell you when your DS was to start?

[sweetteamum]

Yes it was our choice. I know dd will need a long process of transition. It's taken her since Xmas to now to get used to her temporary placement at a unit and I didn't want to ruin all the hard work that had been done so far.

[KOKOagainandagain]

Fantastic news!

Is it your and DD's choice to start in September? Is this f/t? DS1 started at indi ss on Monday - 18 days after LA agreed to fund placement. Immediate access to f/t specialist teaching and to onsite OT and SALT.

[sweetteamum]

Thank you.

Well, that's the only thing now. The amendments still need doing but I'd prefer to not have to appeal so dd can start in September. Can I still ask that they be included, even though this is a final statement?

[CheeseToasty]

Glad things are moving in the right direction. Any news on the other ammendments you want?

[MareeeyaDoloures]

Brilliant!

[sweetteamum]

Thank you starlight. It's only the backup and advice that has made me keep pushing for what she's entitled to.

They're going to send all details out to me and the indie school :)

[StarlightMcKenzie]

That's brilliant! Oh, so brilliant to hear your news and to restore some faith.

When will it appear on the statement?

[sweetteamum]

I just wanted to update.

Funding has been approved for indie special school. I'm so pleased they recognised there were no other schools in the area, to meet her needs.

She only has to have the assessments at the school now.

[sweetteamum]

Thank you keep and star. It will be useful, I'm sure.

I have also chased the lady up, by email, who said she needed to speak to her line manager. Unfortunately, I've not had a response as yet!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Yes. ALways remember that there is no such thing as THE LA, THE Panel, MY Line Manager.

These people have names. Ask for them specifically.

[KOKOagainandagain]

I have pm'd you the Grounds for Appeal that I put on the appeal form in case it is of any help as this tends to be the only daunting bit.

You can always withdraw the Appeal if they do agree to fund indi.

When exactly is the line manager (get a name) going to make a decision? They may be relying on faffing about until the appeal deadline is past and think that you will be passive as DD is not currently in m/s. Don't forget though that the LA can still name m/s even where the child is out of school and receiving and may continue to receive tuition elsewhere.

[sweetteamum]

Lol I love the way this thread has gone. Thank you for making me smile :)

[CheeseToasty]

Ok perhaps the smear is probably easier lol. However it was my first smear I had last week which I have put of for about 10 years I was tring to make my point of not being afraid of tribunal. While the 6 months leading up to it was hard I actually found the actual day positive even if I didn't get all I wanted. There is no doubt in my mind that op has to appeal. The process is long so the sooner the better.

[MareeeyaDoloures]

Sorry if TMI, but you need someone who has done thousands of smears. The oldest female GP you can find, maybe, or a STD clinic nurse, or even a private gynaecologist (if you have spare cash!) Tips and more tips. Our local surgery for years and years had just 2 GPs, both male, and a practice nurse... so she's absolutely brilliant at them. Knickers on before she's even written your name on the pot.

[sweetteamum]

Thank you all so much . . . . And for the record, i'm overdue for my smear test and would rather give birth that have one of those!

I have downloaded the appeal form, i've called just to make sure there's nothing else I needed to do (I double and triple check everything) and will make a start on the appeal :)

[MareeeyaDoloures]

Hello Mrs MD.

Your ds can have quantified specified appropriate educational provision, in the right school, legally mandated. And all we want is your somewhat elderly womb.

Where do I sign?

[MareeeyaDoloures]

Are you all nuts?

Smear test takes 5-10min, plus 5min to phone for appt.

OK, there's 15min to defuzz (not that the nurse cares, but I do) plus maybe 20min to sit nervously in the waiting room. 10min walk to surgery.

One hour total, that's it. Just one hour.
Not trying to put sweettea off appealing, but I'd much rather have a full abdominal hysterectomy than a tribunal. Smear test, pah.

[CheeseToasty]

Please don't be afraid to appeal. I was so anxious about it. I wish I hadn't been because the tribunal itself was not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be. I had an IPSEA rep with me and it made me a lot more relaxed. I would really recommend you have a chat with them.

Lol star I have had both tribunal and smear in the last two weeks and if I had to have either again now I am not sure which I would pick.

[inappropriatelyemployed]

Don't know where that bit went: Star is right, putting SLT in parts 5/6 is not suggestive of indy SS

[inappropriatelyemployed]

God, I do hate all this 'got to run it past my senior manager' 'got to put it before the panel' etc etc.

It's a load of baloney. They knew when they issued the statement what kind of school they were thinking of.

The law says you sort out Part 2, then Part 3 and then name you can identify Part 4 from the needs and provision required. So why would they need to approve funding after the statement is issued? They haven't even noted that it is a special school rather than a mainstream school.

Star is right, putting

Don't worry about appealing. You need to put it in because there is a 2 month time limit and because it takes 6-8 months for a hearing date and you need to start the clock.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

And I am also pretty clear that they intend mainstream with unspecified hours of untrained TA support.

When you inevitably see that written down you'll be motivated enough to get you through the appeal.

[StarlightMcKenzie]

Don't be afraid of appealing. It's on a par with having a smear test IMO. An unpleasant experience though entirely necessary and you just have to get on with it.

[bjkmummy]

Most LA rely on parents not going to appeal. Also be careful if you did tell them that they would 'persuade' you not to by promises of all sorts - once you get the final statement the clock is ticking. I did it all by myself with mums net support and won the lot. My LA were particularly horrible as well. Appealing is actually quite easy and is just filling out a form at this stage