So does this mean DS will get a statement???

[sarah573]

Have just had a letter throught the post which says:

I am pleased to confirm that we have now received all reports in connection with DSs statutory assessment and will shortly be in a position to issue the proposed statement/note in lieu.

We applied for a statement in the spring, and DS has had various assessments etc - so does this letter mean he will be getting a statement? Also what is a notice in lieu?

Thanks

It means he will either get a statement or a note in lieu. As I understand it notes in lieu are relatively uncommon and are issued in place of a statement where it is felt that a statement is not needed but that some explanation and plan of help is. If they don't issue a note in lieu, then they should now send you a draft statement which you can comment on and make changes to and then send back. This process continues until you are happy with the statement and then the final statement is issued.

Thanks Saker - makes sense now!!

Hopefully you will receive the proposed statement rather than a note in lieu (which is very much watered down). Statements also carry with it the weight of legal protection.

When you do receive the document if it is a Statement go through Parts 2 and 3 very carefully. These need to fit your child's requirements exactly!!.

The Note in Lieu of Statement is a document that is issued to parents and the school when, following a Statutory Assessment, the LEA decides not to issue a Statement of special educational needs.

If the LEA decides not to issue a Statement this can cause disappointment to parents, and may appear to be a denial of resources for their child.

• The information about the child, that has been collected for the Statutory Assessment, should be used by the LEA to explain to parents why the decision to refuse a Statement has been made.

• This is done in the form of a Note in Lieu of Statement. It includes the reasons for the decision and the evidence used to support the decision.

• Reports from the professionals that have been collected for the Statutory Assessment can be used to assist your child at school, even if the special educational provision continues under School Action Plus.

• Although this document does not have the legal standing of a Statement, it is useful to pupils, parents and the school as it can be used to assist the review of an Individual Education Plan.

So a Note in Lieu is really not worth the paper its written on.

Thanks Attila - fingers crossed a proposed statement come through the door, not a note in lieu!!
Sarah

Hi,

I hope you don't mind me dropping in here .

Just some advice really........

My DS is ADHD. He cannot read or write on his own. The Pead has suggested that he gets tested for Dyslexia and or special educational needs.

I have spoken to his teacher (which is the SENCO), but I really don't know anything about the process and how long it will take. DS is 7.

Can anyone help?

Hi Jhyesmum - has the pead suggested you apply for a statement of special eductional needs or a diagnosis for dyslexia/ADHD? Im afraid I know nothing about the DX process for dyslexia/ADHD, perhaps if you start a thread someone will be able to help.

As for the statement - the intial paperwork for DS went in in June - so we're looking at the 4-5 month mark here - but I guess its very dependant on your LEA. The process is basically you or the school request the statutory assessment. The LEA look at your sons needs and decide if they will carry out the asssessment (hurdle one!). They then ask for reports from an ed pshyc, you, school, pead, salt, OT and anyone else involved with your son. From this information they decide if a) they will issue a statement, and b) what it will say.

Im afraid thats the limit of my knowledge at the moment!!!

Thanks Sarah.

The diagnosis is for dyslexia and possibly special eduational needs. The ADHD has already been diagnosed and is under control.

It's going to be a lengthy process isn't it!?

Good luck with yours and I hope you get the outcome you need