pros and cons of statementing

[ShrekTheHalls]

starlight and anyone else with gems of knowledge - could you shine any more light on this please? DS1 has asd and dyslexia (both formally dx), is in mainstream yr 8 with SA+ 50% 1:1. Debating statutory assessment to see if it gives him any more support or guaranteed and consistent targetted support... what do the mn jury think? fwiw if it gives you any pointers to his organisational, social and mh needs he is on DLA hrc and lrm.

Pros is the only way to ensure legally needs are met.

I cannot think if any cons really.

of any cons... grr

Cons are sometimes, it is a lengthy, very expensive, very emotionally and time consuming process.

Cons are sometimes, even with a statement, it is not always followed or the provision you get is crap.

However, given the alternative ie not having a statement, needs not being identified or met and provision can be removed at any time and they can basically do whatever they like, the cons are not realy cons at all.

It's the part 3 that apepals tbh - formally giving him extra time for tasks, exams and if neccessary disapplying him from certain elements. The provision he's getting is great - but at 50 percent of the curriculum time imho it isn't enough. he doesn't need over supporting - art, PE and so on he can do without 1:1. It is organisational issues elsewhere that need putting in which currently isn't offered.

Well your grounds for applying for SA would be that your childs needs probably could not be met without the aid of a statement.

1 a full assessment is the only way to find out what your child’s difficulties are and what help your child needs;

2 the school could not give all the educational help your child needs unless it receives extra help from the LA;

3 the school has given your child all the help that could be expected but he or she has not made enough progress.

spot on, claw

Sorry I suppose my point was, needing support for organisational skills alone will not be enough to get a statement. But I suspect you already know this!

your point #2 was the one that had me nodding. as he's under 15hrs support on ESAP as you know the school have to fund it. I am fairly sure a) he needs more than that and b) they would employ a TA for him rather than the regular but general cover TA's he has. The organisational issues do count to a degree but obv educational need is the clue in the title...the academic achievements hang on him being in the right place at the right time with the right books or equipment obv, so it's valid to a degree, and promoted by the NAS as such.

The thing I am still debating is whether it's an absolute no-brainer and almost as if a nothing to lose approach from us could be adopted. I don't want to drag everyone through the process unless there is a chance he will gain from it, obv.

It will all hinge on adequate progress or lack of it, whichever path you think best describes your case.

So if you can prove lack of adequate progress (not necessarily just academic progress) then it will be worth going for it, particularly as the school are already providing quite a high level of support.

A good statement should set out not only what provision is needed, but how it should be delivered, level of training or expertise of person delivering it, best learning environment and conditions etc, etc and more importantly I think, it safeguards your childs entitlement and is legally enforceable.

At the moment for example without a statement your dc could have 15 hours reduced or removed at any time. Legally there is nothing you can do IF that happens.