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SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Original poster

I am so fed up with the all the rubish.

15 replies

staryeyed · 24/11/2008 19:01

DS 3.8 ASD has been receiving therapy from a group run by the council. They are better than nothing but far from adequate. They are supposed to be supporting us but I dont feel they are. I was looking at school applications at he end of 2007 because I wanted the best for DS thinking he would be able to go to a mainstream. When I asked for their help, they delayed. Then when we realised Ds would not cope in a a mainstream setting, they put endless pressure on us to look at Mainstream schools even though we had made our mind up. They delayed with the reports they needed to provide for the Special needs panel to get DS into a special school and ended submitting the application in June which was too late and meant Ds didnt get a place which I was really annoyed about because we had made our minds up in April and we knew there were places in the nursery. Anyway due to extending the nursery DS was offered a place recently. He has really settled there. 2 problems its not close and Ds is not provided with transport and Ds is likely to lose this place next year as 12 nursery places then becomes 2 school places which can only go to children with statements. DS has not got a statement because again there has been a huge delay in providing the reports for this. Asked in June now in November. If Ds had applied earlier he would have got the transport as all the previous children have it and if the statement process had started we may have had some chance in securing a place for DS at the school. I want to complain but I dont see how it would help us but now I just feel like Ds has been really let down. I know there is no guarantee he would have got a place a the school but at least he would have a chance. Our council is so rubbish they do not have enough spaces for SN at all. Just feel like crying really.

OP posts:

BriocheDoree · 24/11/2008 19:13

staryeyed. I'm sorry they have let you down (and they HAVE let you down big time by the sounds of it)

dustystar · 24/11/2008 19:15

Poor ds {{{hugs}}} for you both. Have they agreed to assess him?

Original poster

staryeyed · 24/11/2008 19:30

Havent even got to that stage yet dusty. The therapy group reckon they will agree and it will only take 6 months. Yeah because things are just that easy.[sarcastic emoticon} I think they are just trying to shut me up.

OP posts:

dustystar · 24/11/2008 19:31

Have you applied? I don't know if its different for pre-schoolers but with school age children its best if you apply to the LA yourself.

Original poster

staryeyed · 24/11/2008 19:37

yes I know dusty. They were also trying to persuade me that they should apply but I know that only parents can appeal the decision. I just need the reports. Well, I have what I have (some reports are old and some I have not go) and they are telling me that its enough but I dont trust them at all.

OP posts:

dustystar · 24/11/2008 19:44

Have you talked to IPSEA or SOS:SEN? They should be able to help you with this.

mummyofboys · 24/11/2008 19:44

If in doubt get your local MP on the case...I'm not joking!

They usually love getting their teeth in to local education issues, especially for young children.

Seriously, I have known several friends who have experienced the same bull scenario as you and have resorted to this.

Good luck

Original poster

staryeyed · 24/11/2008 19:46

Tried Parent partnership not good so far. Did speak to IPSEA ages ago about statementing. Ive never heard of SOS:SEN? what do they do?

OP posts:

dustystar · 24/11/2008 19:50

The same sort of thing as IPSEA apparently. I've never spoken to them but others on here have said they are very good and easier to get hold of than IPSEA. Parent-partnership can often be a bit crap sadly. When ds first had problems at school and I was shocked and upset our lady was lovely and it helped to chat to her but in hindsight she didn't actually do anything practical to help us.

silverfrog · 24/11/2008 19:51

Oh, lots of sympathy, staryeyed.

We have has similar with dd1. She is 4.3 and should have started school in september. But the LEA ummed and ahhed and procrastinated.

Then they recommended that she stay i npre-school for another year, with a view to going mainstream after that. She will not cope in mainstream.

we wanted a place in an ASD unit, but the delays meant that she could not start this year. And the places that havegone to other children, now mean that there is not a place for dd1 there at all (due to the mix of children/issues they have).

we started statementing last year. and we still have nothing to show for it.

we are now moving counties because of our LEA's ridiculous behaviour - we feel we have wasted one year already, and do not want to waste another arguing when we will in all liklihood get nowhere, leaving dd1 without the help she needs, but 2 years down the line.

Do talk to IPSEA, they are really helpful - it takes a while to get through, but they have a lot of experience.

And I would get the statementing started - the length of time it takes is ridiclous, so the sooner it's started the better.

I hope things ease up a little soon

Original poster

staryeyed · 24/11/2008 20:33

I read your posts silverforg. Its crap isnt it. They make it so difficult for us.

OP posts:

nuru · 24/11/2008 21:42

I agree with the others who say go ahead and request the statement yourself - that is what we have just done.

If you look at the IPSEA website www.ipsea.org.uk (I think??) they have a standard letter that you can copy and send to your LEA to request they consider statutory assessment.

You then give the LEA a list of all the professionals etc involved with your child and it is their job to request info and reports from them. They should also ask you for your concerns and opinions.

SOS!SEN is a smaller organisation similar to IPSEA but I think they mainly cover London and the Home Counties (don't know where you are?)

I agree that it is completely crap. We have been made to feel that we are doing our dd down by suggesting she won't cope without support

Original poster

staryeyed · 27/11/2008 12:19

Well if it doesnt rain it pours- now we are getting all the crap from the DLA because I applied for the higher rate. I applied in August for the reason for the decision (less than 4 weeks after the decision was received). I have only just received it and now they are saying I have to put in a late appeal. I replied in 4 weeks it was them who took so long. AM I misunderstanding how things work?

OP posts:

Original poster

staryeyed · 27/11/2008 13:21

I have written a letter for applying for an assessment. I dont know if I have written it correctly I did use the IPSEA template but our circumstances are different form the template because ds is in asd nursery at the moment. Does someone have one I can take a peek at?. I have included a parent report which lists ds's difficulties and all the professionals reports.

OP posts:

nuru · 27/11/2008 13:34

Well done for getting on with the letter! It shouldn't make any difference where your son is at the moment - children can already be in any educational setting when applying for a statement. As a parent, you have the right to request, whether they are in a setting or not. Presumably the LEA will contact the nursery (as long as you've told them he's there!)

I just sent all my stuff off and then got a confirmation from them after a few days. I also followed it up with a phone call.

Have you tried getting in touch with SOS!SEN (easier than trying to contact IPSEA) - they may well have experience of your borough and will be able to guide you each step of the way.

Can't help with the DLA - sorry!

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