Can anyone recommend an OT near South East London with ECHP tribunal experience

[fishface1979]

We are at the beginning of a needs assessment for my son. He's got ASC and cognitively very able but acute anxiety and daily life is a struggle. I think I'll need a private OT report to ensure his needs are fully documented and provision made in any EHCP. If anyone has a name they'd suggest I'd be most grateful... thank you!

Diana Pierags, Aniesa Blore and Moyna Talcer are all excellent, but they are also all busy.

However, an OT assessment can be part of the EHCNA, and you are unlikely to get an independent OT report within the EHCP statutory timescales.

If you have to appeal, independent reports undertaken now may be out of date by the time you get to a hearing. Reports used to be considered up to date for around 2 years but over the last few years SENDIST have ruled much younger reports out of date. There’s currently around a year’s wait for tribunals and you won’t be submitted any potential appeal for a while so that may well increase by the time you get to that point. So unless money is no issue personally I would request an OT assessment as part of the EHCNA and only pay for an independent assessment if/when you need it. This also means you can target funds where they are most needed e.g. it may turn out the LA’s OT is sufficient but you need e.g. an independent SALT and psychiatrist assessments.

Thanks so much @Thatsnotmycar
I am a bit confused as when the council agreed to assess they asked if OT/SALT referrals had been done. They hadn't so the school Senco did them but with OT we've been told approx. 18 week wait and I had a call from Southwark SALT saying that as my son is over 5 and his school does not commission services from them his referral would be rejected at triage. So confusing. No idea how 18 weeks can be compatible with the statutory EHCP timeframes. I've heard nothing about an ed psych visit either although I did pay for a private one late this summer. I'll feel better if at least that gets booked in. So far, nothing. I realise that much of my son's anxiety is social related so I think SLT therapy could help despite the fact he has no issues with speech, it's about application in social situations etc. You have to keep your wits about you to get anything sorted for sure..
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You can request SALT and OT assessment under Reg 6(1)(h) of the SEND regs 2014. As these assessments are part of the EHCNA you don’t need to sit on the normal waiting lists or already be known to services or anything of that nature. They must be completed within the statutory timescales and professionals approached for advice must respond within 6 weeks. If the LA can’t meet the timescales using in house professionals they must commission independent assessments. Email the LA’s Director of Children’s Services reminding them of their duties.

What week are you on?