I'm not sure if the mainstream school is following DS statement recommendations

[adrianna22]

Hi everyone

As some of you know, DS 5 has ASD with severe speech and language difficulties and a private diagnosis of verbal dyspraxia,

DS has a statement in place (which we are appealing) I'm worried that the school ain't following the statement recommendations in part 3 of his statement.

I mean, the school has implemented a work station and lots of visuals (though this is not really going to well).

But that's about it, I heard from a TA, who's a personal friend of mine and pops in now and again in DS class she tells me that DS is left pretty much on his own, he does what he wants and there's no... I guess a plan in place.

I am very worried about this.

Hiya,

Going to be a bit blunt to get to the bottom of this so please forgive me.

What, in addition to having a workstation and lots of visuals, is there in part 3?

What kind of plan do you want and is any of that in part 3?

Hi starlight thanks for replying.

The workstation is not specified on the statement.

His suppose to have a number of hours a week to work with the TA regarding the speech and language therapy programme.

Social stories should of been introduced (this is not ).

His suppose to read about with the TA every single day... Theres more but I can remember from the top of my head.

Hi starlight, yes the plan is in part 3 but I'm now aware that none of this is really happening.

You need to speak to the teacher or SENCO. You friend can't be sure its not happening if she only 'pops in now and again'. Even with 1:1 the LSA's are not glued to the child so there will be times where he might appear to be on his own. The should have records of him reading and social stories can easily be evidenced. Speak to the staff who are working with him about your concerns.

I think it would be worth having a 'cheerful' meeting with the school with a tick list so that you know what has been done so far and what is still on the to-do list, and what the time line is for implementing.

You can make the type of noise that they like to hear like 'I know you have so much to do' and 'I'm sure you are doing your best', and 'the LA just drop all these things on you with no extra resource' and 'the SALT departments can be slow to do the training'. If you play it that you are sympathetic to their plight, they may dish up evidence by the bucket load blaming everyone but themselves. No guarantee of success, but worth a try.

And that will help with your next appeal in showing that the ms school is out of their depth.

The LA will be hopping mad with them for failing to put stuff into place, but if you have evidence that they have not done it, then that will help in a tangential way with your appeal.

Failing to put statemented provision in place isn't really a matter for your new appeal, - it should be done by complaint and JR - but it will add to your case that too much is expected of the ms school.

Thanks fairgame, I'm going to have to book an appointment with the SENCO, TA and class teacher.

Thanks too Senvet.. I think after the meeting and talking to the school that They haven't been implementing thing things that are required from part 3. I will unfortunately have to write a complaint.

I was just thinking Senvet...

I was reading a past case file of a parent who wanted a specialist school her DS but this mainstream school weren't providing the recommendations in part 3 and even though the judge was furious with the mainstream school. Unfortunately the parent didn't win the specialist provision that she wanted for her son, and the judge ruled that the son should stay in the mainstream setting. This was because the judge felt that the mainstream school didn't use enough of it's resources etc and this needed to be put appropriately in place before a socialist setting is required.

Adrianna It is my experience that it is a rare school that implements part 3 of a statement. They are lots of reasons for this and it isn't personal, but of course that is not the point.

One of the reasons is that the parents will never find out. The advice above is a good first strategy.

Also, there is now case law that says just because a school 'can' put in provision, doesn't mean they will or have, and that can justify an alternative, more expensive placement sometimes. However you'd need to get that caselaw from on of the charities as I can't remember it.

This was because the judge felt that the mainstream school didn't use enough of it's resources etc and this needed to be put appropriately in place before a socialist setting is required.

Good point

So if your appeal will be "everything is in place and there is not sufficient progress" you need to keep them in a good mood for long enough to get data on progress. So maybe ask the TA for a copy of the most recent assessments to be emailed.

Then if you want them to say that everything is in place that should be, you will want them on the defensive, so maybe a meeting saying with the upcoming tribunal the LA will be hopping mad if everything isn't in place, so could they just let you know that there is nothing outstanding.

From memory, your case is more likely to be that dc needs small classes and a low distraction environment etc, ie things that no mainstream school could ever do.

If so I am voting for this approach.

DS got his Statement 20 months ago (and we got the one we wanted just over a year ago after appeal). Since then, there has not been a single week go by when I've not had a meeting with the SENCo - sometimes arranged, sometimes I've just "dropped in" - to double check everything's being implemented. I feel it does pay off though as they know I will be wanting evidence that they are adhering to part 3. I know they are sick of the sight of me, but I don't want anything to 'slip'.