Do 16 year olds every get statemented - and how?

[PomBearArmy]

The theme of my experiences with asking about statementing, ever since my son was in primary school, goes pretty much like 'Oh... If you'd asked a year ago/six months ago/five minutes ago/whenever it was someone else's responsibility ago, we absolutely would have supported that. But he doesn't need it now.'

Even when my son had been Home Educated for two years and had no options at that time without statementing they refused. They said statementing a 14 year old who wasn't likely to go back into mainstream education wasn't 'cost effective'. But he couldn't go back into education without it!

Now I've found a course for him that he really likes but the transport is tricky, taxi provision would be fantastic. He will not speak to people he doesn't know when I am not there, including bus drivers. So I'm faced with having to accompany him on two buses there and back every weekday, and sit in a library all day until it's time to collect him.

The difference now is that he has a plan for his future, and it involves many years of education. Do you think I have any chance?

It's Oxfordshire County Council by the way, in case any of you have had dealings with them. (If you have, can you recommend the best person to speak to? Thanks!)

My DC1 went through school without a Statement - suspected dyslexia but never confirmed. SA+ at primary but secondary school removed all support when started year 7 - this was in the days long before the internet so I didn't know how to fight this. At the age of 17 DC went to a LA FE college where they again picked up problems but this time, as a young adult everything kicked in and DC was properly assessed by the LA (quickly and without any sort of fuss what-so-ever from the LA - it all happened within a matter of weeks of DC starting at the FE college). This assessment was not for a Statement but so DC could access FE course. Severe dyslexia was diagnosed by LA EP's thorough report. Dx then gave DC more options at FE level and then opened up even more support once DC moved on up into higher education.

So 16 may be too late for a Statement (I really don't know) but it's not too late for a dx to help support a disabled young adult access further and higher education. My DC's access to being assessed only happened in the first week or so after DC had joined the FE course - so not when still at school.

Ironically this is the same LA who I've just fought to the bitter death with DC3's severe dyslexia. The educational needs of young disabled adults are treated far far better then young disabled children.

(Name changed so I don't out DC1 - who is now a fully fledged flown-the-nest adult!)

Thank you for your reply! It's lovely that things worked out so well for DC1!

To be honest the only thing DS's Head of Department offered us were forms for free bus passes! I have been advised though that I can request a social services needs assessment, or a learning disability assessment, so I am going to try to pursue those.

This board doesn't get much traffic.

Try reposting here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs

as this is where the majority of experienced people hang out!

I am a special educational needs consultant with a local authority. I can confirm that 16 yr olds do not receive approval for statutory assessment and do not receive statements of SEN. However, the new Education Health and Care plan will provide a statutory duty to make provision until 25 yrs. Your child may therefore be considered for assessment under the new framework.