Applying for SA - how much info to send initially?

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

I am planning to apply for SA for my DS, who is 9 and has ASD. Now that the decision has been made I would like to get the initial letter off this week. My question is, how much of the existing paperwork is sensible to send with the letter at this point? I have a lever arch file full of pretty well everything that has ever happened to him, he has been on EA/SA/SA+ since he was about 3 with NHS OT (now discharged) and SALT (likely to be discharged soon) and has seen various private therapists over the years, plus his diagnosis and all the various forms that went with that, dozens of versions of IEPs, school reports, notes I have made over the years. Also it's a massive photocopying job and just about everything seems to be double sided.

Somehow I feel reluctant to just send it all in without going through it with a fine tooth comb first, which I would obviously do over the next few weeks. However I have put it off for various reasons for a while and now I am feeling ready to go I just want to get the initial application in. Any thoughts from anyone?

The IPSEA website has a standard template letter you could copy to send off for a request for SA. You could add a brief outline of your concerns/reasons for asking for SA but to much would mean you would be repeating yourself further down the line.

tbh I would not send anything at this stage as normally you get sent a pack to work from and then it's a case of writing a more in depth letter. should they agree to assess is the time that all relevant information/documents will be needed for sending :)

I agree with coff you dont need to send your evidence with the initial letter.

I used the IPSEA one too.

Some LA's are trying to turn down all parental requests at the moment. They are not allowed to do this so you might have to fight.

Good luck

Thanks, I am using the IPSEA template.

Ineed - is that anecdotal about the LAs turning everyone down flat? Would be interested in knowing more.

There are three times you will give information in the process:

1. Your initial letter.
2. Responding to the initial notification that they're going to consider whether to assess, asking if you'd like to make any comments.
3. If they agree to assess, your Appendix A - Parental Advice.

1. Can be as brief as you like. You could even write 'Oi, I think my boy needs help and you should give him a statement', and they would have to consider your request.

1. Is the bit where you try and convince them that he 'probably' needs a statement. That's when sending some of your documents might help sway them.

1. Comes later.

So for now, I would send the letter using the template, but write a bullet point summary in there of his history.

Something like:
-Longstanding involvement with professionals since the age of 3
-OT therapy for x issue
-SALT for y issue
-Diagnoses of x, y, z
-Only made x progress since year y

etc.

Thanks, I'm just fiddling around with the letter tonight. I will get it sent then I am going to have a big session of scanning in documents. Very nervous.

Hi who no actual evidence that some LA's are turning down parental requests but from another forum I know of 4 parents from one LA and one from another that all recieved pretty much the same letter turning down SA for their children.

At least 2 are appealing which is what you should do if your parental request gets turned down.

The LA's want to put you off but dont let them.

Good luck