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Any EHCP experts - social care section?

10 replies

StinkGhoul · 31/10/2019 18:04

Just got the draft plan for one of the twins. The social care section is empty - unsurprisingly since we haven’t seen a social worker - apart from it says that he has a home with us and that ive been involved in the process.

I don’t think he really has any social care needs (although I’m not sure what those would include besides the obvious) but the IPSEA site says they must be included

Any EHCP experts - social care section?
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StinkGhoul · 31/10/2019 18:54

Actually, if anyone experienced could have a quick look at this generally I would so appreciate it. There’s a meeting to go through the drafts on Tuesday and apparently I may not see the other one before then. I am really worried that the provision needed is not specific enough but I just want to sense check this quickly before I go down that route.

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Ilovellamas · 01/11/2019 18:55

The social care has to be included. My son has no SS input and never has, but it is always left blank.

Beveren · 03/11/2019 12:11

Technically you should have had a full social care assessment under section 17 Children Act 1989, but many parents don't bother, particularly in relation to younger children. Social care for EHCP purposes covers a surprisingly wide range - it's worth having a look at the examples given for what should be in section H1 on page 168 of the Code of Practice.

It's really useful to use paragraph 9.69 of the Code of Practice as a checklist when you're checking the draft, as it summarises what should be in each section - in fact it could be helpful to take a copy with you to the meeting. Mostly you need to ensure that each and every need is properly described in section B: it's not good enough to say, for instance, that you child has literacy or language difficulties, it should describe what the difficulties are, how far behind your child is, how they affect learning etc. Then check that there is provision in section F to meet each of those difficulties, and that it is properly specified and detailed. Waffly terms like "would benefit from" or "regular" or "up to" or "contacts" need to be challenged, as should statements that all provision has to come from school staff: it should say who is to be responsible it terms of their training and experience, e.g. TA, HLTA, teachers, therapists etc. If the LA say they can't specify because the experts haven't advised on this in their reports, ask them to go back to the experts and tell them that their job is to help the LA comply with its legal responsibility to specify and details support.

Many LAs want you to consider outcomes before considering provision, but this is the wrong way round. As paragraph 9.66 of the Code of Practice says, outcomes are meant to be the result of the provision, so in drafting outcomes you need to think about what you want to achieve by the help set out in section F. Outcomes should cover a range of timescales, and should be SMART.

StinkGhoul · 03/11/2019 16:06

Thank you both.

To be honest the drafts are a bit of a shambles - they are far too woolly, not at all specific and I think that’s because the EP reports were that way (never mind the fact that they had piles of evidence from portage, SALT, nursery and paeds etc backing up what their needs are). A very kind Ed Psych has had a look at them for me and has given me some pointers. Unfortunately I’ve only just had the drafts before the meeting which is tomorrow so very little time to do anything. Other local parents told me that their first drafts were also very basic and much of the detail was hashed out in the meeting so maybe that will be what happens. I’m not sure if the Ed Psychs will be there though so not sure how this would be possible.

So much of it is just infuriating - things like “needs constant supervision due to mouthing / pica”. Don’t all 3 yr olds need constant supervision at nursery? They need 1:1 supervision so they don’t die or seriously hurt themselves.

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StinkGhoul · 03/11/2019 16:40

One question for anyone who knows...

When the L.A. confirmed they were going forward with the assessment, I requested that they were assessed again by OT (we have no input from them but absolutely should have, they’ve only been involved in the ASD diagnosis) and vision support services for DT2 as he has VI. LA told me they can’t do that - they can only ask Ed Psychs to assess them, and request reports from people they’ve seen previously, and if they think they need to update their assessment they’d arrange to see us.

Was that right or did they blow me off? I feel like I’ve made so many cock ups already to be honest.

Opthalmologist has just registered him as partially sighted and referred to VSS but no word of when that will be. Community nurse has allegedly referred us to CHAD team within social care but again, heard nothing yet hence there being nothing in there from social care.

What would happen if we get the EHCP then see VSS and they make specific recommendations for nursery / specialist setting in terms of his vision - do we then have to ask them to review the whole EHCP?

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Ilovellamas · 03/11/2019 17:45

I think it will be an amendment. You have yearly reviews, but our children’s needs change all the time, so the EHCP should reflect that. Hopefully your child will be in school soon and they can sort these things out with/for you.

Beveren · 04/11/2019 07:52

What the LA told you was absolute rubbish. Refer them to Regulation 6(1) of the SEND Regulations 2014: it says they must get advice and information which they believe is appropriate, or which parents reasonably request, and must get VI advice where that is relevant. Obviously your case falls within all three of those categories in relation to the VI, and OT will come within the first two.

Also if they issue an EHCP, under the Code of Practice (9.69 again) they have to describe all of your child's needs. How can they do that if they don't have complete information?

That said, it sounds as if you may end up having to take this to tribunal to get a reasonable EHCP. If you can possibly afford to, get your own reports for that purpose - they'll probably be much better than anything the LA organises. You can also complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman, who may well recommend that they repay you the costs involved.

StinkGhoul · 04/11/2019 12:38

Thank you. I found the relevant part in the code last night which says they must seek advice from a VI specialist teacher before writing the report - have printed that out and the email from September where I asked them to do exactly that.

They don’t have enough recommendations. The reports they have don’t give advice on provisions, except for the Ed Psych reports which are so vague as to be almost useless I feel. For example, one highlights extensive sensory needs and then has not one single provision for sensory issues - the words sensory or OT don’t even appear under the Physical & Sensory provisions section. SALT assessment report for one is almost a year old and he’s only 3. I feel like I’m in a parralel universe.

I feel like I’m about to have a panic attack honestly.

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Beveren · 04/11/2019 12:47

Have you looked at IPSEA's and SOS SEN's websites - there's lots of useful information on there. Also SOS SEN's booklets are helpful - www.sossen.org/shop247/index.php?cPath=22

StinkGhoul · 04/11/2019 12:53

Yes, I’ve looked through it all and have a highlighted copy of the IPSEA checklist with me and parts of the code. I feel well prepared logically, but my body doesn’t seem to understand and is going into full fight or flight mode. I need to get my shit together right now - leaving in 20 mins.

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