Statementing and Earmark pupil funding HELP!!

[mieow]

I have just recieved DD1s CDC report which shows at the age of 51 months, her physical skills are that of a 23.5 month old, her speech is 36 months, and the other areas are 40-44 months. She is due to start at DS school in January and she has no funding or support in place yet. I have tried to phone the Pre-school adviory teacher but she is off till next week, Parent partnership aren't open till next week, the special needs HV will be off till next week!!!
AARRGGHHHH!!! Am panicking now, as I have about 7 weeks to sort this
out. The nursery ain't helping me, and I have idea what to do.
HELP!!

phone IPSEA - left no at home today but they have a website, they'll help.

here tougo

The link worked but by typing didn't!

Have you actually started her statement and this is the report back from her assesment. Don't panic whatever, it'll happen, if it doesn't happen and be all in place for her 1st day then it's not the end of the world, it will be sorted asap.

I haven't started any process, I kept being told that she wouldn't get a statement, but I have just spoken to IPSEA and they said to try and get a statement so here we go.....

Mieow I expect that she will go into school on the level of school action plus, as outside agencies are invovled in her needs. This will allow for some funds to be released for her.
Have the cdc given you any advice as to what support they feel she needs?
Contact the chool and take the report in to show them. Ask their opinion as to whether they feel she wiil need a statement and if so should you request her to be considered for assessment by the LEA now.

She is on School action plus. I disn't have to do any of these with DS (he also has CP) as he is able to cope with school. So I am new to all this

what school should I contact, The new school or the nursery school she is at now??

I would try contacting the new school (although it's unlikely that anyone will be there this week) and arrange a meeting - preferably with the SENCO there. DD may also get some extra funding for her settling-in period.

I would contact the new school Mieow. Will her current nursery write a leaving report for her?
For a statement you need evidence of her need levels. The more reports and IEPs the better. The cdc report is certainly a good and recent assessment of her needs.
Perhaps you could write down your main concerns for her within a school environment. Look at the school from dds point of view, would she be ok in a busy playground etc. Take this to the new school as well.
It is hard to get a statement but if I were in your position I think I would try for one. Even if she does not get one the school should have a clearer understanding of her needs.

The school doesn't need to adpart anywhere as its been done because of DS, ramps and rails are all in place

It is also possible to use your GP when applying for statements. I believe they can recommend assessments and help with evidence/paperwork. of which you will need a lot!! Good luck - getting a staement is hard but in my experience being a persistent parent helps!

Mieow,

Would agree with the others on this - contact the new school asap; you need to see the SENCO and get her on board. Find out who her new class teacher will be and perhaps she will be able to observe your DD. Will she be allocated an educational pyschologist for instance, such people are also useful in the quest for getting a statement.

With any luck you will be successful in getting your DD a statement; you're going to have to push hard for this though. If you can get school on your side (iin that they say she needs extra help that Schools action plus may fall short of) this will help immeasureably but you will yourself need to apply to LEA for statement (if school do and the request fails they have no right of appeal but you as the parent do). The website www.ipsea.org.uk have template letters you can use as a starting point of reference. I have found them to be of huge benefit.

Who originally told you by the way that your daughter would not get a statement?. This is a fudge on their part designed to put people like you off applying.

Be persistant with both LEA and school; keep on top of them but do not be confrontational. Presenting a reasoned clear argument is vital for your case. The more evidence you have from a variety of sources all saying the same thing, the more chance you have of getting DD a statement (all the above was certainly the case with regards to my son anyway).

Good luck to you

If you still can't reach anyone I would start writing down the areas where you think dd may have problems at school and what help she should ideally have. This could be things like:

• may have problems with other children being too rough in the playground (need someone to keep an eye on her or assign her a 'buddy')

• PE - allowances need to be made if she can't keep up.

• writing/drawing may be difficult if she has problems with fine motor control

• any difficulties with eating lunch herself, even if only that she would need someone to undo packets, cartons etc.

If dd is getting any therapies (SALT, OT etc) these are usually transferred to the school so the school will have to liase with the necessary people.

In the meantime there is nothing to stop you from applying for a statement yourself.

Have just spoken to the advicory teacher, and she said that Dd1 now defo. fits critea for Ear mark pupil funding but because of the physical problems and how it will hold her back, we can now go for a statement!!!!! She will support us and write to the LEA to say that Dd1 needs a statement!!! WOW! Have written a letter to the LEA, haven't sent it yet as the Advicory teacher want to look at it, before I send it. I will be seeing her on the 16th.