is it possible to get a statement/assessment without having any IEPs in place?

[bjkmummy]

something I am starting to ponder. dd 4 years behind, suspect its dyslexia but now im not too sure think theres more going on- private EP assessment in 2 weeks so will know for sure.

school agree shes 4 years behind, I have in writing that despite intensive support over the last 6 months no progress made and she seems to have forgotten everything shes learnt. shes 10 in year 5.

secondary school is fast looming and the local academy already said that she will be left to 'sink or swim' without a statement and with her current levels possible they may not even accept her.

anyway school keep muting IEP/school action but then do nothing. head is apparently saying she cant go on the SEN register until xma - god know why! I keep reading that you need IEPs to show lack of progress but if you have a school refusing to give you one even with her 4 years behind what can you do? im going to wait for her assessment and if learning difficulties etc confirmed then im going for the statement regardless of what the school think so im on a collision course path wth the school potentially.

school have agreed for a tutor who is a dyslexia specialist to go into school for an hour to teach her which im paying for - no idea where I will find the money from so may need to think about selling a kidney. school also refuse to let the LA EP see her as shes not 6 years behind which apparently is the criteria.

This is all hideous for your DD and yourself. Is this btw a state or a private school we are talking of here?. Appalling anyway. Clearly this lot do not give a monkeys that she is being failed here.

Re this part of your comment:-

"school also refuse to let the LA EP see her as shes not 6 years behind which apparently is the criteria"

Whose criteria?. Regardless of whose it is, it is unlawful and IPSEA would be very interested to learn of this as well.

Your DD, as well as yourself, is being failed by this school and badly so. They are not doing anything currently nor seem at all bothered to do so.
If there have been outside agencies involved for instance like SALT, a developmental paed or OT (to name but three separate examples) she should already be on School Action Plus.

I would put the statement request in now even though this private assessment is in two weeks time to the LEA and ignore any naysayers.

she hasn't seen anyone medical as at this stage everyone is thinking dyslexia but im not so sure now. the lady we are paying to go in to teach her is the head of the local dyslexia association - after chatting t her she thinks dyspraxia maybe an issue but she hasn't met her yet - that's happening next week so will be interesting to see what happens next. she is then being tested by dyslexia action in 2 weeks by a qualified EP. I know she needs to probably see a paed so will wait now and get that sorted asap.

re the 6 years - that's was the class teacher/senco is quoting and believe it or not when I googled it the policy is in black and white on the LA website! theres a tiny get out clause that children should be seen as individuals but the reality is this is what the LA are feeding all of the sencos. the policy also states that children cannot have a special school place unless they are only 1/3 of the age academically ie if you are 12 you would have to have the level of a 4 year old.

we actually don't come under this LA as technically she is out of county and my home LA have no such policy so it should be an easier ride but the school are sticking with their LA policy and have built the walls up but then continually repeat to me at every opportunity that they will do everything possible for her!

What utter tripe. So how do six, five and four year olds get statements? By acting like embryos? They clearly can not be six years behind! So mad for you!

I get that 'we are doing everything we can' but everything that can is poor.

I would go to town with them. Email them re all of this and whatever happens apply for sa yourself

"6 years behind" is a ludicrous blanket policy - and illegal.

- I see attila has pointed that out far more articulately than I did!