EP meeting post statement refusal

[MadameSin]

Just a quickie ... due to meet an EP at school this PM who has been asked to asses and give learning support recommendation to school for my ds2 (ADHD/Dyslexia). We were refused an assessment foe SA at the end of last term based on him not meeting criteria. Is the EP the 'booby' prize? Not sure what to expect as he's never had an EP via school before, only privately arranged by us. Any experiences?? Thanks!

I would ask for a copy of the criteria plus the evidence for why he didn't fit.

I would also be asking for a copy of the "criteria" because I would put money on it that their criteria is actually illegal!. Blanket policy e.g "a child must be minimum 3 years behind" NC levels is not allowed.

The only criteria for a statement should only be need of one.

EP can make recommendations re educational needs and can be helpful with regards to the statementing process as such a person would need to provide a report to the LEA.

I would reapply for the statement asap.

What Attila said - but you may actually find the EP useful (so long as they don't have a support the LA at all costs agenda)

Thanks for replies. EP concluded they would monitor ds for remainder of this year and meet again. She saw nothing to indicate he would fit statement criteria, even though SENCO wanted to go for it again. He has good days and not so good ones. The learning is the biggest need for him (time would benefit him greatly), his levels were 'not bad' according to EP even though I pointed out it was all relevant ... he's 10 and on level 2A for literacy New yr6 CT had same opionion as EP. We're right back to wear we were in Jan 2012 ....

Don't accept this. We were told DD would not get a statement but applied anyway and appealed at every step of the way. Cutting a long story short she is now statemented and moved to an indi specialist school earlier this year where finally she is getting decent support and is happy. You can apply yourself for a statement - collect the evidence that you do have and don't take no for an answer if you feel your child needs more support in school than they are able to provide. This is really important to consider now with secondary not so far away too. Be prepared to appeal as you go however. Many LAs will simply refuse straight away and see who gives up. In our case they refused to assess but backed down immediately that the tribunal paperwork was logged. We did end up fighting the content and placement at tribunal in the end, but got everything she needed from that.