Does my son have a case for statutory assessment?

[2boysnamedR]

Over the summer my son who is six in oct got a verbal dx of dyspraxia. He is on school action + and failed two targets on his iep ( well one wasn't completed so I'm taking that as a fail - idiot school!). When he saw the pead it was proven he can't spell his name or recognise numbers 0-9 after a year at school. Senco told me he would never get a statement. However she also told me he would never get a dx and writing to my MP would not help him access better SALT provision, which I have both times proved her wrong ( don't anger a mum who has been told that he child is perfectly fine for three years when he clearly is not!)

So what are my chances? Just based on the above? The head of the nhs salt dept also told me he will never get a statement ( she must be very clever, as she's never even met him......)

Only one way of finding out?

Have you got a copy of the SEN Code of Practice? You need to put in a request for a statutory assessment. That means that the relevant professionals assess him in more detail and make a list of provision that he needs. They can refuse to assess, and tbh they might do simply because the timings wrt the transfer over to another system, but you should do it anyway imo as it keeps the school on their toes and gets them to justify themselves.

You have nothing to lose - initial application is likely to be refused so you have to build this into your timetable. Application puts DC on a wider radar.

Refusal does not mean that all is well - DS1 had two refusals, assessment, tribunal and now placement in occ Indi ss (LA conceded).

I would also be writing to the LEA requesting statutory assessment now.
Use IPSEA's website to help you www.ipsea.org.uk. Would also suggest you read the SEN Code of Practice that Starlight also mentions.

Ignore such naysayers i.e the SENCO and head of NHS Salt dept. Its all designed to put people off from applying.

As you have already seen you are your child's best - and only - advocate. No-one else is better placed than you to fight his corner for him, this is also because no-one else will.