Advice regarding Statement for child

[yummum120]

Hello, could someone please help me with advice regarding the statement procedure! Firstly I want to know is it easier to apply for a statement yourself or is it better to get this done professionally, either by school, OT etc?
Roughly how long does the procedure take?
Finally any advice on what to do as I'm thinking about applying for a statement for my DS needs but we are also moving out of the borough in August so should I go through with the application and then does it get transferred? Or should I wait till he gets a place in the new school and apply then? Any advice is appreciated and Thank You in advance for replies.

It is definitely better to put in the request to the LA yourself, that way all correspondence has to come to you and not just the school. Also you know then that the request has actually been sent out, rather than sitting in the SENCOs office for 6 months.
The process is a lengthy one, I'm sure the whole process should take 25 weeks.
I would request SA now, as otherwise when you move if your child has to move school you wont have any evidence that school cant meet his needs.

yummum,

Put in the request yourself and asap also because you know its been done then; some schools can and do sit on statement applications for ages.

Use IPSEA's website, they have model letters you can use and their website is a mine of information www.ipsea.org.uk

Would also suggest as billiejean advises that you apply for the statement asap. It can take upwards of six months to get this set up and they may well try and offer you a EHCP instead (these will eventually replace statement documents).

Attila what's a EHCP?
will check that site out.
Do I need to inform senco that I am going to apply for statement? I am in the process of writing a letter to her.

I'm going through the process now. I put in the application myself, as school weren't helping, and I used the IPSEA model letter. I also enclosed quite a lot of evidence with my initial letter as I felt I had to 'sell' it to them and wanted to make sure we got to the assessment stage.

Re: informing SENCO - it's up to you, but I informed school after I'd applied for the statement, so they couldn't try and dissuade me. You don't have to tell SENCO, as she/he will find out when the LEA contact her/him, but I felt it was polite and maintained good relations between us.

That website is really good.
Do the LA do a assessment as part of the statement, or can we request a assessment before a application for statement has been put in, if I feel my child is not meeting his IEP targets, although the school think he is doing ok?

The LA do the assessment once they have agreed to go ahead with the statement application. You need to get over that hurdle first, as they can easily refuse, so use IPSEA and any evidence you have to push for that assessment. I also pinned a small photo of my son to my application, as I hoped it would personalise the application. I have no idea if it helped, but thought it was worth a try. I imagine the weight of evidence was what swung it though.

By the way, neither of my son's schools ever offered to apply for a statement for him - they both made me feel that it was ludicrous for us to even think of it. However, the professionals we have seen during the assessment process have not had that attitude at all and seem very supportive. So, don't let the school's attitude put you off applying. They are not the experts on your son's behaviour and needs - you are.

Good luck.

Well done to you ToffeeWhirl, I'm so glad your son is getting the help he needs. It's so frustrating when you feel like you are doing all the work on your own and if you are not getting the right help, that hard work is all going nowhere fast. All I can do is try, pray and hope for the best. (Taking Deep Breaths) Can I just ask what other information did u send with your application?

Why would schools be reluctant to apply for a statement? Wouldn't it give them more funding/ resources etc to help the child?

Why would schools be reluctant to apply for a statement?

Because the funding comes from the LEA, but the LEA are the school's boss and the school don't want to displease the boss and ask for too much money from them - that's my understanding, but I'm sure well-informed people could explain it better than me.

I'll PM you with details of my application.

the schools are reluctant to go for a statement as they have to fund the first 10k of provision from their own budget.
Imo they would rather spend it on pretty flower gardens

It's potentially a six month process or more. The LA has 6 weeks to decide whether to do a statutory assessment. If it decides to do so, it then has 10 weeks actually to carry out the assessment. If it decides to issue a statement, it has 2 weeks to produce a draft, and a further 8 weeks in which to finalise it. There are some circumstances when those time limits can be extended, and you have a right to appeal if they refuse to assess or if, having assessed, they decide not to issue a statement. You also may need to appeal against the contents of the statement.

So, all in all, get that request in now!

So what happens if they accept to do an assessment and during that time we have moved out of the borough?
Also anyone knows what a assessment includes? (Just curious)

EHC plans come under the new SEN reforms which come into force on 1st sept. Stands for Education, Health and Care plans. Meant to make LAs, health services and social services work together to provide a holistic support around the child. Statements will cease on 1st sept and all new requests will be under the new system. LAs have 3 years (i think) to transfer everyone over to the new plans, so you will be on it at some stag anyway.

Have looked through the website it is very helpful indeed.