Should I put this in my initial letter for Statutory Assessment

[sweetteamum]

I'm just starting to gather all necessary documents,reports etc needed to send off with my request and i'm just wondering if I should include that we want to make sure all necessary support is ready for him starting High School next September - in fact it could be crucial in getting him into the correct school.

How would you word this if you were me?

Here is a paragraph from the letter . . . . All feedback welcomed :)

We believe that X Educational Needs are complex and cover a range of difficulties which include; Emotional, Behavioural & Communication, to name a few. We feel there is convincing evidence that, despite the school, taking all necessary action to meet X needs, those difficulties remain and have not been sufficiently remedied. Therefore, there is no other option than to fully determine X special educational provision, by way of Statutory Assessment.

You dont need to send all the documents with the initial request sweet you only need to outline the child's needs and why they cant be met by the school. Have a look at the IPSEA website.

But yes I have just done mine and I put that she will need support during transition.

Looks good to me

Thanks Ineed. I will just send a basic letter in the post tomorrow and start preparing my parents report over the weekend.

I do think I need to put transition is a big issue. Ds apparently needs a long drawn out process according to his current school and experts.

I would send it like that but remove all the 'I feel'. Be confident as the expert in your child and make it a statement not an interpretation.

Thank you starlight. Your right, I'll remove those words.

I agree about the long drawn out process. Dd3 is rigid with fear over going to secondary but she is only going to be able to relax a little if we go back and keep doing little visits.
Luckily we are guaranteed a place there so we are going again after half term after school to take some photos with her camera. The SN staff are lovely and have offered all sorts of support.

Whether we will actually manage to get her there is anybodies guess but no one will be able to say we didnt try.

Good luck with your letter

Also if not too late remove 'we believe' as your child's needs ARE complex.

In truth it doesn't matter hugely how you word it at this stage though, but it's a good general lesson.

Definitely agree with the statement of fact comments. Make it factual and punchy.

Brilliant guys. Thank you soooo much. I really appreciate any words of advice :)

Just to say thanks for posting sweettea and thanks for the advice Ineed, Starlight and Sally - I need to get on with putting in my request for SA and I have just been feeling overwhelmed by how to get across DD's needs in the most 'effective' way. The advice of 'factual' and 'punchy' is great for me - I have I tendency to ramble fearing I will leave something crucial out!

Glad it's helpful to you pan.

Well it's in. I hand delivered to LEA this morning. Would you tick off 6 weeks from today or Monday?

I would mark the date six weeks from today as it has been hand delivered.

That's what I was thinking Attila (but wasn't sure if I was being too harsh on them lol )

Hi sweet, I have put my letter of request in (posted recorded delivery) and even though they received it on the 2nd they waited until I rang them to confirm they had it two weeks later as I hadn't heard anything yet, then told me an acknowledgement letter had been sent (which I think went out that night as didn't arrive until 2 days later), on the letter it said they had 6 weeks from that date! If if was you I'd ring Monday and confirm they have it verbally as well as its added a couple of weeks onto the time we have to wait for our decision.

Thank you osospecial, luckily I received their letter etc the following Tuesday so I know they definitely got it.

I've done it differently to dd's and just wondering how you all told your story of how and why dd needs SA.

I'm reading a book that suggests it be wrote as a life story from pregnancy, birth, baby, toddler etc

I guess I'm just wondering how you all presented the information.