EHC Needs Assesment

[DonutSquishie]

Hi, just wanting a bit of advice. The LEA have agreed to do a NA for my little girl with suspected ASD. She really struggles at school, hiding under tables, becoming aggressive and running away.
I've been told from a individual that I can request a SALT and OT report, as long as it's reasonable. She does have speech and communication difficulties and sensory overload and the school agree she needs assesment but said to wait until her camhs assesment as the waiting lists are 1 year + at the minute.

Could I ask the LA for assesment or will they say they can't due to waiting lists?

No offence I have read some really well written professional reports for the ehc na

Eg in my profession we spend almost two days writing them and one full day assessing

Then the report is quality checked
Reviewed
Amended

So around 3/4 days in total

You only have to read the SEN and SN boards to see many LA reports are vague and woolly rather than detailed, specified and quantified. You only have to look at the 2 main charities who support parents with SEN matters to see this is a problem.

In what LA does a doctor routinely undertake a full day of assessments for an EHCNA and where LA reports don’t include vague and woolly wording? I am interested in this miraculous LA as it is certainly not one I have met personally or professionally. I’m sure other parents will be too.

LAs who employ professionals through an agency and pay the daily rate

In order to get the reports signed off this is what we do (inc consultations with staff and families also)

You may not think it but it does happen

It’s not a matter of me thinking anything. I know it doesn’t happen for the majority of cases.

A quick look at MN, SEN charities and education lawyers demonstrates vague and woolly reports are commonplace. Unless you think IPSEA, SOSSEN, SNJ, some of the top SEN lawyers and parents are making it up?

Over the years I have supported numerous parents across England, none routinely undertake a full day of assessments by a doctor for an EHCNA and many reports from all LAs include vague and woolly wording. So where is this mysterious LA?

As provision in LAs is taken from reports if more LA reports were detailed, specified and quantified rather than vague and woolly with weasel words there would be fewer tribunals. Yet SENDIST is in a mess from the volume of appeals.