With the attitude of staff at the LEA what hope is there

[Whatnext1231]

I have 3 dc. One ds 12 diagnosed with multple conditions but mainly ASD. One neurotypical dd aged 9. And finally one dd aged 6 who has just been referred to the ASD pathway a neurological paediatrician. I live, unfortunately, in East Yorkshire in a town where the main employer is the council and everyone knows everyone!

I have several issues with the LEA.

My main issue is that a formerly close friend of mine works for the sen department and often sits on the sen panel. I am friendly enough still (maybe not for much longer though) to meet up occasionally. She knows everything off my files apparently and there is no consideration of a conflict of interest when reviewing files of people you know on a personal level. I asked if she would not leave the room if it was a file of a child known to her and she advised me that there was no need and she might just sit back and not take part in the discussion but it would carry on on front of her.

I actually find this really concerning as this is basically my childs medical information and there are things that we don't want everyone knowing.

When I advised her that my dd had been referred to the ASD pathway she immediately said 'I don't agree with labelling children'. I was absolutely shocked. She sits on panels where they agree a childs diagnosis at times. The LEA has to rubber stamp any ASD diagnosis here. She has no SEN qualifications just one in managing a nursery school (she has only ever worked for the lea or childrens centre).

She has come across as jealous of the fact that I am a SAHM and of the funding we recieve. We have no choice however there is no childcare for dc with asd particularly once they are 12. My 12 year old is considered to be very vulnerable.

I think she may be aware that we have been granted funding for transport as the LEA were unable to arrange a taxi. I have not disclosed this to anyone as I know how peoples attitudes are.

I am going to let the friendship drift off, however how do I ensure that my privacy and that of my children is maintained.

LA staff have to abide by confidentiality policies. Have you asked that your friend isn't involved in your case?

LEAs aren't involved in diagnosing children. ASD is a medical diagnosis involving health professionals.

Why do you think people would have negative attitudes about you receiving mileage allowance? That's not something I have come across before. Plenty of children get school transport or costs paid.

I haven't requested that she not work on our cases. I just presumed it would be the norm and was shocked to find out this wasn't the case. Any conflict of interest in other departments of the local authority must be declared in advance and procedures to ensure impartiality are put in place straight away.

In regards to diagnosis for asd, in this area, the process that went on for my ds is that various professionals provide reports and these are put forward to panel (county hall / local authority) who then decide if a child is to recieve a diagnosis or not. My friend, who is employed by the council, has advised me that she sits on this panel frequently and is part of the decision making process. She is not a health professional.

In regards to the milleage allowance, we have received negative opinions (mostly portrayed in a jealous way) on everything our ds receives.

When trying to work out the best situation regarding how to get my ds to school we received numerous comments from staff at the council such as 'If he get's a taxi all the other students will stare and wonder whats wrong with him' to 'well we would all love to be able to be there for drop off and pick up for our children wouldn't we'.

I think it is unusual not to come across this. We have had this attitude about additional swimming support, having a one to one teaching assistant, receiving dla etc etc. Part of the problem may lie in the fact that my ds is not visibly disabled and is very passive, he is also very academically capable (top sets for most subjects).

What people don't realise is that he is a flight risk in situations of stress and tried to escape on numerous occasions during his first week. He is virtually non verbal whilst at school due to the stress of being there (we are working towards using either the word yes or no in class). He needs physio on a daily basis to work on his core strength and just going from class to class exhausts him both physically and mentally. He has slow processing speeds, don't get me started on homework, it takes us at least 4/5 times longer than the advised time to actually get it done. Along with an exhausting list of other issues that are my normal but in reality really aren't.

If you don't want your former friend involved request she isn't.

Non healthcare professionals can not make a diagnosis. Looking online in Humber and East Riding ASD is assessed by CAMHS in Humber NHS trust. It may result in assessments from HCPs such as SaLT, OT or a specialist nurse and EP that then goes to a MDT panel of HCPs. But such a panel of LA staff is more likely for EHCP decisions.

I don't think it is unusual not to have had such widespread attitudes from LA staff across departments about mileage allowance. The odd comment added in in context, but not people in other departments too. DS1&3 are both academically able and have invisible disabilities too, so it's not that, including both needing daily physio and DS1 having selective mutism. Have you discussed homework with the school? You could only do core subjects and stop after a set time.

Regarding diagnosis, honestly we have never had any input from CAMHS and have never been seen by them or been referred to them. We have seen numerous other professionals but never CAMHS. I am aware of older children that have been diagnosed by CAMHS.

The process for diagnosis was as stated above. Various reports were collated from SALT, educational psychologists. These were then put to an assessment panel at the county hall. This is where our diagnosis came from. There may have been qualified professionals on the panel but some are not and are council employees. There is no disclosure of who makes the decision only of the reports submitted. The letter we received for my ds's diagnosis was from the council.

Don't get me started on the EHCP. The whole department for that is a mess. They are unable to retain staff, comply with legislation etc. They are swamped and will freely admit it. When querying errors in our ds's EHCP we were advised that at least 10 different people had worked on it prior to the person I was querying to due to this high turn over.

The problem with homework is his ability is so high however he has completely compartmentalized his life. School cannot cross over into home apparently. It's a barrier we need to work on. It's just the combination of the mind set and slow processing.

We do try and approach things from a different way so that bit doesn't feel like school stuff. Our favourite subject is history as we try to re enact the subject and can visit differents buildings or museums (which are nearly always quiet or empty). Had lots of fun with the Normans. It is hard work sometimes / all the time.

If the LA is not sticking to the law have you challenged them over it via Judicial Review, tribunal or the LGO depending on exact issues? Threatening to challenge them via the above routes usually elicits a favourable response. I understand how frustrating a high turnover of staff can be, unfortunately I think lots of LA are the same.

In Year 7 or 8 not all homework will be essential, so only doing what is critical would help. Even, or some would say especially, for an academically able child this would be possible. Do the school have a homework club? Attending that can help with the distinction between home and school.

It is a highly unusual diagnostic pathway. Usually children and young people see either CAMHS or community paediatrics. CAMHS in Humber and East Riding do assess ASD, have a look on Humber NHS trust website, so perhaps you could ask for a referral there instead for your younger DD.

LA staff have to abide by confidentiality policies.

One did a tribunal against us. The next day, she had a meeting with some other parents about their DC. They lived in our town and they knew us.

Without naming names, the LEA officer discussed our tribunal at length, commenting on how depressing it was as DD’s SEN were enormous - not that she took that view at the hearing. Of course, my friend knew she was talking about our DD - and she sent me a transcript of the conversation!

Did you officially complain and report the breach?

No, I sent a copy of the transcript to my solicitor - but they did not recommend complaints!

Why did they recommend not complaining or reporting the breach? If failings are not highlighted nothing will change.