Please or to access all these features

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

Argghhhh!!!! rant!

7 replies

vicimelly · 05/09/2004 02:28

For those that don't know, my dd is physically disabled and doubly incontinent. She started nursery after the easter term with my mum acting as her carer until they got someone in, it became evident that they had no intention of doing this while my mum was helping out so she stopped doing it, dd stopped going to nursery until they sorted it.They also didn't have adequate changing facilities for her.
I had a meeting with the head and dd's physio, the head assured me they had someone to start with her in September, and the work on the disabled toilet/changing room they were working on would be finished.
Physio told head that they would need a changing bed in there, but they would have to speak to OT about it.
Physio got onto social services OT dept about getting OT out, the waiting list is horrendous and we were still waiting for one at that point.
Before the end of summer term, physio called me said she had spoken to OT but she will be on holiday until term finishes and they are arranging to see head over the summer.
I waited and waited to hear something from someone, anyone!!! lol
I heard nothing at all, in the end I called the school and spoke to the head as it was getting very close to starting school time and I wanted to check all was in place. Turns out he has spent a large chunk of his summer holidays trying to get hold of either the physio or the OT and has had no luck, so although we have a carer to start and a disabled toilet, we dont have any changing facilities, so she can't start!!
I called physio who is conveniently on holiday, having never actually been given the name of our OT, I called the department and spoke to the manager.
She told me that they had just allocated one that morning!!! Oh woop de doo I'm supposed to be happy about that! lol
I told her that we had already been told we had one and why had no-one been in contact with the school or me? She said that the OT that was originally allocated was only to help with home and they hadn't relised we needed anyone for school.
She said the referral they had gotton in JANUARY! was only for home. I was angry about this, we were referred from the hospital and they knew it was for school, so I asked her if she could send me a copy of the referral so I could take it up with the hospital, she ummed and ahhed, then decided to tell me that "actually, oh look, it does say home and school" !!! Bloody woman lied to me!
She had no explanation for what has happened, but promised to get our new OT to call me asap to set up a meeting for Monday, surprise surprise I got no phone call.
I am so livid, I can't do anything until Monday now, when dd is supposed to be starting.
I know I should have chased it earlier now, but having heard nothing from the school I presumed it was all going to plan, stupid stupid me!!!
Sorry I just needed to rant!!!
Thanks for reading it, oh and does anyone know if there is anything I can do about this, with regards to complaints etc.??

Vici x

OP posts:
eidsvold · 05/09/2004 05:16

can't give any advice sorry but can feel angry along with you. Sorry to hear that you have had such a tough time. I would however find out the manager's manager and report her 'mistake' regarding the referral and all the trouble you have had becuase of it. Write to your MP, write to the education minister..... anyone you can think of!!

coppertop · 05/09/2004 07:31

Grrrrrr! It's bad enough that they were so bl^^dy incompetent in the first place but to go and blatantly lie about it is inexcusable. I did chuckle though at you calling her bluff about the referral though.

I'm not sure who the 'correct' person is to complain to but I would follow Eidsvold's advice and complain to anyone you can think of.

Jimjams · 05/09/2004 09:49

FFS!!!! NO you shouldn't have chased it earlier. You shouldn't HAVE to chase it.

If I was you I would write to complain to the immediate manager and copy the letter to you councillors,your MP and head of the primary care trust. That was the only way I got anywhere with speech therapy (which incidentally I have to chase tomorrow- its in ds1's statement but no-one has been into school since March- it was eventaully agreed - after I'd written to my MP and threatened to report the council to the local government ombudsmen - that ds1's private therapist could go in - but wasn't agreed until 2 weeks before the end of term by which time she was booked up. They specifically didn't agree to anything this term even though his NHS one isn't back yet).

Aaaaggghhhh on your behalf.

vicimelly · 05/09/2004 13:42

Thanks for the replies, I'll take your advice and send a letter to everyone I can think of!! lol
In the meantime I'm coming up with a rant I can direct at the OT when I finally manage to get hold of her, for not calling me on Monday
I am going to kick up such a fuss they won't know what's hit them! lol I am still sooooo angry about this!

OP posts:
Davros · 05/09/2004 20:13

Agree you should write to anyone who might be useful/scary BUT there must be an official complaints procedure and I would pursue this first as a priority, maybe copying the other people. There will be rules and regs about how long before they respond etc

vicimelly · 06/09/2004 01:10

Thanks for replying Davros, I thought myself that they must have some complaint procedure in place. I'll definitely be asking OT about it if and when she ever shows her face!!
Will let you all know how I get on.

Vici x

OP posts:
fio2 · 06/09/2004 06:42

After having problems myself with various departments, I would suggest first you threaten if the matter is not sorted you will go to your MP. It has always worked for me. If they still dont materialise anything DO go to your MP and let him/her know what is happening. Also go to your local paper. A woman near me has just done this over 'failed' transport arrangements. She was promised transport for her daughter all through the summer holidays only to be told on the first day of term that she is not entitled to it Angry it makes my blood boil

New posts on this thread. Refresh page