Parents Applying for the Statutory Assessment

[Looby4]

Hello,
I am sure this has been discussed before, but I would appreciate any advice you can all give me.
My 8 year old daughter was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome in February this year. We have tried and failed to obtain additional support for her in her mainstream local primary school. We would like her to have some 1:1 time, particularly in Numeracy, and for an adult to help her remain focused in class. In addition, she requires some communication therapy to help her develop better eye contact and develop her conversational skills.

The school (430 on roll, 1 child statemented in whole school) has a poor track record for SEN. The Inclusion Manager is considered lazy by the parent body and there is a long history of parents removing their SEN child and putting them elsewhere where they are better supported.

Having reached no agreement in school, a meeting was held at Grt Ormond St (who diagnosed our daughter) with 3 psychologists, the school inclusion manager and my husband and I. The Inclusion Manager was poorly prepared, had nothing new to add to previous meetings and had to be even prompted to take notes from the meeting by the Consultant. The school's position is that our daughter is achieving in school, her behaviour is not a problem and that therefore she does not need additional support. Our position is that her numeracy is on a backwards slide, she needs social skills support and is not reaching her full potential because she is not focused. GOSH's position is that early intervention is important and that the school need to provide for her - without or without a SEN.

We have decided following Friday's meeting to make the Statutory Request for a SEN ourselves with GOSH's support. (We are also looking for a different school for this September, because GOSH advise that even with a SEN she may not be supported at this school.)

I have downloaded a template letter from the NAS website - do I, at this stage, write down chapter and verse, include all the ADOS and Clinical Psych reports, or do I give only a general outline?

All help and advice would be really welcome.
Thanks

Hi,

Unfortunately your scenario is all too commonplace.

IPSEA are also very good at the minefield that is the statementing process and there are model letters there you can use. Keep the initial letter short - again IPSEA have a model letter you can use to get the ball rolling. www.ipsea.org.uk is the website.

You need to write to the Chief Education Officer (name can be obtained from council offices or library) at your LEA and give them six weeks to reply. Note that date on your calendar. Be prepared for them to say no. You can and should appeal their crass decision (school cannot appeal).

I would also look for another more understanding school for September; infact if you can move her from this current place earlier then good. If and when you get the Statement you will be able to name a school. This one she's currently at sounds completely and utterly useless and even with a Statemetn they'd not likely support her properly. Her current school cannot or most likely will not supply any extra help for her even with GOSH behind you (as school will also likely cite a lack of resources).

BTW these things can take six months to set up once you oblige the LEA to agree so it is unlikely this will be in place for her new school year in September.

Good luck!!. Let us know how you get on.

This is the sort of thing that the initial letter should contain:-

Dear Sir or Madam,

Re: (child?s name) (date of birth)

Request for formal assessment

I am writing as the parent of the above child to request an assessment of his special educational needs under the 1996 Education Act.

(child?s name) attends ..................... school.

I believe that (child?s name)'s special educational needs are as follows:

...

My reasons for believing that the school cannot on their own make the provision required to meet my child?s needs are:

...

I understand that you are required by law to reply to this request within six weeks and that if you refuse I will be able to appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal.

Yours sincerely,

...

BTW is there already some sort of IEP in plave like for example School Action plus?.