Can someone explain SA, SA+, Statements please

[TwoLeftSocks]

DS1 has ADHD, he's in Yr3. His behaviour is good, his teacher is fab, and he's gradually getting there with his work in class but he's behind on all his targets for reading, writing and maths (and always has been).

He has an IEP and has been on the school's SEN register from Yr1, so am I right in thinking he'd be on School Action (SA) already?

Does that simply mean he gets appropriate help from the school teaching staff? He goes to extra classes (within school time) for maths & literacy but no dedicated TA time within class (his class just get 7hrs TA time a week).

SA+ means he would get extra help beyond that, right? How is this assessed and how/when does it kick in? Same question with statements please.

I would also like him tested for dyslexia but I happen to know the EP is spread really, really thinly across the city and the school already have a big list of children waiting for assessments.

I'm meeting with the SENCO and his teacher in the next few weeks so it would be good to know if/when he should be getting any additional help. Thanks.

Which type of professional person diagnosed ADHD?. If your son has already had involvement with any outside agencies e.g a developmental paed, OT, speech therapist he should already be on School Action Plus.

School Action is the lowest level of support.

I would establish exactly with the SENCO what he is currently on. I would hope he is on SA Plus but it seems that this is not enough to meet his additional needs. You also need to think longer term as well because he is struggling to keep up with his peers.

I would also now apply for a Statement for your son whilst they are still available to apply for. Use IPSEA;s website for more information on this; www.ipsea.org.uk, there are model letters on there you can use.
Do not rely on school to do this, make the application yourself.

IEP itself does not mean all that much, it is not also known as Individual Empty Promise for nothing!. If the targets are not SMART they can be poorly written.

SA plus can be limited in scope and provision can be too easily withdrawn or curtailed. It seems to me that your son's needs are not currently being met in any case so applying for a statement now is advisable. Do not be put off; you are your child's best - and only - advocate here.

He got his diagnosis in November from the paediatrician at the local neuro-children's centre, following referral from the GP.

We have another appointment there in Feb. The Dr had suggested we could have a chat about medication options - our preferred option is no meds, at least not at the moment, so I'm keen to know how much support he is getting / could get at school.

I'll ask the SENCO whether he's on SA or SA+.

He's happy at school (which is top of my list of important things in life and I'm really relieved about) but it's the academic side of things he's struggling with. Is that the sort of thing a Statement could help with? And does he have to be lagging behind/ struggling by a quantifiable amount to qualify?

And thank you for the link, I'll go and have a look.

Your son should be on SA plus now as outside agencies have been involved.

No, he does not at all need to be X number of years behind in order to get a statement. Such blanket policy uttered by some LEAs is illegal in case law. A statement is a legally binding document that could give him extra support particularly if it is written well i.e support given is both specified and quantified (as required by law).

That's really helpful, thanks! Will go and look into it all a bit more, that link looks very useful.

I think I'll have to have a chat with the SENCO and see what's what. Just notices all the links on the right of the page (desktop version) so will see where they take me too.