Statements?

[claw3]

Any advice please on how i would go about getting a Statement?

What do i need to have in place etc?

Hello claw

Have a look at IPSEA website; I used their letter templates for both boys with success.

AS much paperwork as possible is what yo need- but LEA will do assessments: indeed if they accept your application they agree to assess in the first instance, then look at statementing after that.

Definitely read IPSEA. And consider someone like SNAP! for a local take on it.

happy to look through any letters etc if you want me to.

(was peachy btw)

Can you give some more details. How old is your child? What is happening in school? is s/he already on school action, or school action plus.

You can request a statutory assesment of educational needs (the start of the statementing process) from your LEA - this can be done by you or the school can make the request. However a school must be able to show that all reasonable adjustment and action has been taken to assist a child before an LEA will issue individual statements.

Clar - Thanks i have bookmarked the site and will have a read a bit later.

Thank you very much for offering to help, i may well take you up on that on a later date.

At the moment i dont have anything in writing with regard to my ds's DX, which i suppose is the first step?

Actually ds3 had his statement BEFORE the dx! Any documentation showing difficulties is fine, some kids never get a DX after all (70% here apparently)

Wide - My ds is 4.5 years old, he has been put onto the action plus register. He only started school on Monday and doesnt have anything in place yet.

Getting an unofficial DX has been a long drawn out process and its taken 3 years to get this far. He suffers with modulation disorder.

Clar - So is it my responsiblity to apply for a statement.

SENCO have told me it is unlikely that he will receive a statement, due to cut backs and the fact that he doesnt have any learning disabilities.

On another thread, lots of other mners were telling me this isnt always the case.

Ah yes, I've been reading your thread about the moduclation disorder and the snow. If he has only been at school this week, then you shall maybe have to wait to see how he copes with support on SA+. He should havE an IEP, and school will probably consult with an inclusion support officer from the LEA. If after these measures are taken he is struggling, then it will be time to request the statutuory assessment. FWIW we went through this whole process to statutuory assessment in one term. If things clearly aren't working there is no point hanging about. This was all done pre-diagnosis here as well. The diagnosis is not important, as the LEA is assessing need.

Just to reinforce, my DS has no learning difficulties, but his HFA makes it difficult for him to cope in a school environment, mainly due to sensory/overload issues. Always try - I know alot of children who were told they would not get statements yet have been awarded 16+ hours statemented 1:1 support.

He has no IEP in place yet. The SENCO has said they need to get to know him and his needs first. Earliest IEP would be in place is Feb.

No IEP until Feb? Rubbish. We had our first IEP after 1 month - targets need only be simple - ours was to arrive in school calmly 1 day a week, and to be able to ask to use the toilet. What are they doing then if he is at SA+. Children start schools with IEPs in place

Electra - Thanks for that, i will look at the website later when kids have gone to bed.

Wide - Basically all ive been told is that they need to get to know him before they can assess what his needs are. At nursery he had no help. He sees an OT once a week.

Wide - Sorry could i add, he only started school on Monday 5th Jan, so Feb would be 1 month.

Oops, sorry Claw, i've had a silly moment, thinking that starting school it would be sept-feb. I know it is january, and your DS has just started school, but my brain is not in gear. LOL.

Wide - Dont worry, happens to the best of us

In your experience, do i just need to be patient and wait for Feb or should i be gently pushing them in that direction?

I think I would let things run, and take it day by day. You and school are on a learning curve - they may just surprise you. One thng I have found helpful is a home-school diary as school can communicate the daily events (briefly) and i can offer advice as required.

Must fly, off to work. I'll check back later.l

DS3 had a statement at the start- be3cuase I refused to send him withut one. S it can be done- DS1 however didn't and we were told no chance in getting one. he has had one for 2.5 =years LOL. We were given lots of misinformation (wait for an IEP / no statement? etc) and used this against the LEA as a way of proving that his needs could not be met.

It may be worth waiting until he;'s settled (go with your gut feelings) but I wouldn't let him start without at least an IEP in place.

My suggestion would be to ring either IPSEA or SOS!SEN and ask their advice; SENCOs can ber very biased WRT statement applications (ours was anyway, has admitted she prefers aprents to get anrked and do it themselves as it saves her time). These organisations will know your borough as it varies ridiculously around the UK.

I would start pushing, you can get statements in place from 2 and I started ours at 2 so that it would be in place for starting nursery at 2.5, in the September; it wasn't as it took so long, but was in place by October. Definately request a statutory assessment yourself now, as others as mentioned you have the right of appeal, the school do not. You will often be put off and told it's not policy to provide statements ( which is illegal) or other things of that nature. Keep a record of every conversation, if possible follow up phone convos with emails so that what has been said is in writing and keep hassling. Nobody will make it any easier and unless you keep on top of everybody it will all slip and nothing will happen!
Sorry to make it sound so bad, but this has been my experience and that of many of us I'm afraid!
Good luck

Wide - Im usually totally laid back, was starting to worry that perhaps i had been a bit too laid back, when i should be lighting rockets up peoples backsides to get things moving!

My plan of action so far

1.to arrange a meeting with SENCO and teacher.

1. To make a passport like someone suggested, as im sure a lot of the problem is the SENCO and the teacher are not understanding properly what his problem is. What they have been told verbally by the OCT, might have gone in one ear and out the other or scribble notes etc.

1. I will then feel happier about waiting until Feb for the IEP.

1. Waiting to see how things progress with the IEP before applying for a statement.

How does that sound?

I too will have to check back later, kids are all home from school now.

thanks a million for your help.

Oh yes hairy is right- no statements = a blanket policy = illegal.

Also- be aware that it takes 6 months to get a statement even if everything goes straight through (and often it doesn't- indeed hve learned to always refuse first offer as they offer under in the hope you'll take it in relief: ds3's hours bumped from 10 - 16 with one letter).

Sorry ladies, really must go and get dinner started, will read your posts later with much interest.

Thanks again

claw3,

Re your comment:-

"SENCO have told me it is unlikely that he will receive a statement, due to cut backs and the fact that he doesnt have any learning disabilities".

Statements are not just for learning difficulties. This is BS on the SENCO's part as well; all this is designed to put people off applying, people whose children really do need statements.

Would certainly look at IPSEA's website and use their template letters.

You are your son's best - AND ONLY - advocate. Never forget that. No one else is better placed that you to fight for his educational rights.

I would apply for the Statement asap even before the IEP is in place. They certainly can and do take six months to set up even if it is all straight forward.

IEPs are all very worthy but in practice they aren't always worth the paper they are written on. A poorly written one is especially bad. Plans like SA and SA plus are also not legally binding (unlike a Statement).

www.ipsea.org.uk

Thanks ladies, i have bookmarked the IPSEA website and will have a good look.

Im just about to do a little info booklet for the teachers and SENCO quite simply setting out what modulation disorder is and how it affects ds's behaviour.

Once i have that typed up, i will then have a look at the IPSEA website.

Thanks very much.