Statement confusion

[Alita7]

So we got the statement review back. It says that mainstream is no longer suitable for her and that she will be moved when a place becomes available.
But it doesn't specify the school, It only describes the environment she needs. We agreed on the school we want and the description is pretty much of that school.
But I'm just confused as I expected it to name a school like on her original statement which named her current main stream primary. So what do we do? Do we just wait until they tell us a place is free? And it bothers me that the school isn't named. Do we have to do anything?
Does anyone know where you can get info on school waiting lists or have any experience of how long it took for a place to be found for their child? (if a class is full and no child leaves then what happens?)

Sp Sch don't have set class sizes so hopefully you will get inthe one you want . Would it be worth ringing them
Good luck

Is it a draft statement, in my area draft statements do not have school names on them. Have you got a caseworker's number? They should be the person who sent you the statement, ring and ask them. Failing that try ringing the special school you have identified to see if they can help. Good luck, hope you get it sorted soon.

Sorry, just saw it was statement review paperwork. I would still contact the caseworker though and ask when a new statement will be drafted reflecting change on provision. Have you made your preferences for a particular special school clear? You may need to do some pushing at this stage to secure a place for September.

Thanks guys! I'll try phoning tomorrow. We all, including her teachers made it clear that was the school we wanted!

I take it that what you've got is the report after the annual review meeting. If so, the LA is supposed to consider it and issue a decision, but there's no time limit for this. However, obviously they have to deal with it within a reasonable period, and you are entitled to argue that they need to get a move on because they are accepting that the current school cannot meet dd's needs, and every day that that continues they are failing to meet their statutory duty.

You should receive a proposed amended statement with the name of the school blank so that they can consult you about your preference. If you don't get that within a couple of weeks, start pestering.

I thought that the local authority are not allowed to name the school on a statement. They have to ask you.

Maybe give IPSEA a call or look on their website.

I thought we had told them our preference very clearly!

Yes this is after a review meeting, they met at their panels and we got the new statement through this morning :)

We're sad as we really wanted her to start the new school in September as she's desperate to move and being autistic it's better for her to start at the beginning of the year. But oh well!

I don't think all is lost - if it is the draft statement. Now is the time to kick up a massive fuss. We get draft statement and a letter (saying the council would like to put x school) alongside a form to put down the school we prefer.

Are any of the professionals on your side? If so get them to make a fuss too.

Oh ok - it's been to panel - it maybe more difficult. But contact IPSEA and any professionals who supported you. Does the statement outline support/staffing needed?

We had this, the LA spent about six weeks Sebring our sons details all over the county even though we had specified what school we wanted and had an offer of a place. In fairness, it was an independent (sen) school. They named it when they finalised the statement. As others have said, have a chat with your caseworker and ask what the procedure is now x

Thanks guys!
Still standing the support she requires is outlined in detail. It clearly states that she requires 1:1 assistance 22.5 hrs a week (an amount we are super lucky to get!) in her current setting though obviously in a sen school things will be different and she might not need that.

DP has taken her to school and I asked him to have a word with the senco if she's not busy or ask her to call us when she's free to get a better picture.

This is the first statement where she hasn't been staying at the school she's at already, so it's a bit different for us!

Thanks for the advice, we will definitely call the case worker if the senco can't answer our questions.

By professionals who could push it, do you mean her teachers and senco or Camhs who did her asd report, the educational psychologist, salt, the asd specialist who comes into school to do therapy sessions?

I think ed psych can be useful hete

Yes I agree - the opinion of the ed psych can be really important.

Update, the senco has told us that there's a different panel meeting next week to decide (if and) when she's going to the chosen school :)Fingers crossed for September!

Alita fingers crossed for you