Children's Advocacy

[streakybacon]

Does anyone know of a children's advocacy service that might be able to help a sixteen year old with HFA/ADHD, no learning disability, with regard to giving his views about his sixth form education placement?

I've been phoning round and internetting, but all I can find are services specifically for looked after children and those with learning disabilities, neither of which are appropriate to ds. I've been advised that it would strengthen his case if he could present something personal to reflect his wishes. The LA are likely to object to our preferred placement on cost grounds.

TIA.

Have you tried the Coram Children's Charity?

Have a look on you LA's Local Offer webpage! There maybe something on their.

In my area I am sure someone said MENCAP are providing independent advocates for transitions to EHCP's so they might be able to help!

wrong there!!

Great, thank you - more leads to follow .

Ineed the shame!

I know I have gone back to bed to hide from the world

Also try Banardo's

Good luck, come back and let us know if you find one!

[cake and to aid recovery .

Nothing with Barnardo's. I'll try a few more on Monday - actually maybe Tuesday as Mon is already packed to capacity .

Thanks again.

even. We're all at it today

At least I am not alone !

Its a full time job trying to keep them in school and planning for the nexr move isnt it!!

Well, ds is home educated so I'm juggling tutors and all his work experience and commitments. He is the most disorganised human being in existence and I'm living two lives at once to compensate.

We just got his EHCP finalised before Christmas, and an offer from the specialist college at the same time, and I thought we were on the home stretch. Ha!

I believe I've got a good case for his placement, I've had lots of independent advice that suggests as much, but it would help to have ds's views if I can get someone to work with him.

But yes, full time job and a half I reckon. Just wish I got paid .

Streaky HFA/ADHD are, on one definition, learning disabilities, so you could probably access those providers.

Action for Children do a fair few children's views.

Also a youth worker that knows him at a youth club or club he goes to might be worth considering. If it doesn't work, you don't have to file it.

I feel for you with the organisation thing. Will the college tackle organisation skills?

Good Luck

Thanks senvet. He is part of Youth Council, and his leader might be able to help him with something. Her role is woefully underfunded now though, so she will be hard to pin down.

I agree, some agencies regard ADHD/AS as learning disabilities and some don't. Those I've spoken to so far have said they wouldn't work with him .

Yes, the college will work on organisation, and the mainstream he's applied to for the academic side have offered support with it too. He's had learner assessments at both, and places offered For September.

I'm really surprised they wouldn't regard AS at least as a disability - it is officially classified as one.

Disability yes, learning disability not so much. Ds is very high functioning so I can understand why they'd not work with him. Plus, these agencies have so little money these days (like everyone else), so I can see that they have to be quite rigid in who they will and won't work with.

I've got a few leads, so will enquire next week. I have another option if I can't find a proper advocate, so all isn't lost.

In our area (Hampshire), there is Choices Advocacy

Depending on whereabouts you are, they might be able to help?

streaky it sounds like you have a found a great package for your superstar ds, so good luck

Have you contacted Cerebra? They definitely cover ASD/ADHD and even if they don't offer the service themselves, Shona Chambers may be able to point you in the direction of someone who does.

CEREBRA!!
SHONA!!

Why didn't I think of those .

Gosh I'm going to be busy next week .

Thank you, all.

(North East Singy, but thanks anyway).

Streaky, you may be able to use one of the agencies that state 'LD' as I have found the definition a bit variable. DS doesn't have a 'LD' in medical terms, but seems to for statementing grounds I.e he has a disability that requires him to need support with his learning iyswim.

I think LD agencies often include ASD on that basis.

I'll bear that in mind Star, thanks.