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Statement question!?!?!

2 replies

sarah573 · 13/12/2007 10:10

DS1 is 9, he has an 'unofficial' DX of AS from his Pead, but we are still waiting for an assessment for an official DX.

His proposed statement arrived a few weeks ago, which had no provision for 1:1 support. At the moment he receives 10 hours of 1:1 support from the LEA's emergency pot. This ends once the final statement is in place. DS is only at school for 3 hours aday, and is supported 1:1 for 2 of these. The plan is to shift his 1:1s hours gradually to build him back up onto something like near full time hours.

I sent a letter back challenging the decision on the statement not to provide DS1 with any further 1:1, and asking the provide me with the reasons, in writing, as to why a child on such a reduced timetable was being denied the support he needed to enable him to work towards being at school for more of the day.

They have just called me in reply to the letter, and said that having looked at Joshs needs again, they have decided that he should continue with his 10 hours support (great I thought!), however when I pushed this further it turns out the wording will be something along the lines of '10 hours support a week in 1:1 and small groups', she said this will be funded by the school and will be teaching assistant based. After more pushing she said that a small group would be around 5 or 6 children, and that they would not be specifing how much of this time would be 1:1.

So should I be pleased, or is this a back door way of making it look like DS will be getting some support?

OP posts:
aquariusmum · 13/12/2007 12:14

they are trying to fob you off and you should appeal the statement. It might be worth saying that you are taking legal advice (which you sort of are even just be writing on mumsnet) and that you believe that support in a group of 5 or 6 will not constitute a "suitable" education for your DS. Sometimes just mentioning lawyers focuses their mind and they back down. The other threat you can make is to go to the local press - but you can only threaten this as a last resort, as once you've actually gone to the press the LEA has nothing left to lose. Sorry to sound so combative, but I think you need to show your teeth a little to the LA as they are using the statement to give your son LESS than he needs, and it is their duty in law to offer him a "suitable" education. The IPSEA helpline is also very good on legal stuff, but try a phone call mentioning very politely that you are seeking informal legal advice. Good luck!

AttilaTheMeerkat · 13/12/2007 13:44

Would have to agree with aquariusmum, this is not good at all. This also sounds like this LEA is devolving powers to the school i.e let the school sort it out. Such changes to funding schemes are causing all sorts of difficulties for both schools and parents. Its not helping these children.

Would certainly suggest you try and get hold of IPSEA (their web address www.ipsea.org.uk) as a matter of course. Their phone is often engaged but do keep trying.

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