Anyone heard of IPAs (Hampshire) vs Statements?

[lou031205]

I had our visit from Portage today. They can't offer support yet, there is a 9 month waiting list, but might be able to offer some preschool outreach for DD.

I was discussing her future education (she currently has 1:1 at preschool, starts school in Sept 2010) and she said that Hampshire is starting to do IPAs (Individual Plan of Action) rather than statements for a lot of children. Apparently it is separate from the IPEs that children on school action and school action plus get.

Has anyone heard of them? I raised concern about the fact that my understanding is that SA and SA+ can be given and taken at will, and a statement is legally binding, but she said that IPAs do pretty much the same as a statement?

I realise we are a bit ahead of the game, as she doesn't start until 2010, but have seen your experiences and don't want to be lulled into a false sense of security.

Sorry to add, I have found this:

"5.1 The Inclusion Partnership Agreement (IPA) has been developed over a period of almost three years, initially as an action research project in two areas of Hampshire. The impetus for this project was a growing dissatisfaction on the part of some parents, school staff and professionals working in the field of special educational needs (SEN) that, for a number of children, a statutory assessment of their SEN was a frustrating experience in that it neither led to a new or greater understanding of the child's needs nor to different provision from that which was already in place. Coincidentally, at the time the project was being planned, the Audit Commission published its report, `Statutory assessment and statements of SEN: in need of review' (June 2002). This report confirmed that the concerns being raised in Hampshire were shared across the country. The then Department for Education and Skills has also published guidance relating to reducing bureaucracy in SEN processes, and officials from the DfES have shown an interest in the IPA approach.

5.2 The outcomes of the project were encouraging and, following a presentation and discussion with the Primary and Secondary Headteacher's Standing Committees and the Primary Headteacher's Executive, the decision was taken to encourage the use of the IPA across the county. In essence, the IPA is a form that summarises a meeting (somewhat similar to a `team around a child' meeting) that has taken place between parents, school staff and other involved professionals, at which the child's strengths and needs are discussed along with the arrangements that are currently being made to support the child and what future arrangements might be necessary. There is a child-friendly version of the summary form, aimed at promoting participation. There is also a pre-school version.

5.3 The introduction of the IPA has been a beneficial initiative. It has been found to be particularly useful to support transition planning between phases, as a relatively formal way of recording arrangements made to meet a child's needs, as a process to support admission to resourced provision (for specific literacy difficulties) where a statement of SEN is not required, and as an alternative to statutory assessment where there is agreement that a statutory assessment would not make a difference. Some parents, who might have otherwise requested a statutory assessment, have agreed to an IPA. The numbers of completed IPAs are relatively small although current evidence indicates that this is rising, especially to help planning for pre-school children as they enter school. Several IPAs have been initiated in respect of SEN and Disability Tribunal cases and have helped resolve issues without recourse to a hearing."

Not sure what to think, sounds a bit wishy washy?

Lots of places are trying to do this now, because the IPA process is not a legal process so they've got more power over it. If a child is borderline 'Statementable' (so not a word, but never mind!), then they're probably OK. By that I mean if the Statement wouldn't bring much anyway - you know, a couple of hours help a week or something - if the needs are mild in terms of affecting ability to access the curriculum perhaps.

For anything above that i.e. anything which will severely affect accessing the curriculum, or for any more complex needs and also if a school is unlikely to stick to an IPA because they aren't co-operative, a Statement is essential. Because they're legally enforcable, you have a contract of what will be provided for the child and you also have the option of appealing to the SEN Tribunal if you don't agree with wording or provision. With the IPA style things, you're at the mercy of what they feel like providing and they can withdraw the support if they feel like it as it's not legally enforceable.

IPAs might DO pretty much the same as a Statement, but they only might ! The equally might not! It's hard enough getting schools and LEAs to stick to Statements, which are legal documents, without trying to get them to stick to what is , in essence, a 'we'll give you this for now cos we feel like it but we might not later and you can't do anything about it' document.

IMO, a Statement is the only way to go. And don't let them fool you that they don't do them because every area has to, by law! I'm sure the Portage lady isn't being deliberately whatever - the staff are fed the party line and then parrot it on. But anyone involved with the council is biased against spending money on our kids, sadly.

The only problem may be that the criteria for a Statement is that the child's needs can't be met by the school without help. And in your area, the school may be given a lot of money to address SEN funding themselves without needing Statements.

I would apply and see, while also investigating exactly what your dd would get in terms of help without a Statement. Good luck - IPSEA are brill.

Thanks for that. I have a little time, so will see what they come up with. She got full 1:1 at preschool after just one assessment, so perhaps the area is quite good. We shall see.

Would agree with givemesleep's response in its entirety. The problem as well now is that many LEA's are now devolving powers to schools - they are saying to schools you sort it out. This leaves children who do require statements in a potentially bad situation. This IPA sounds very much like that - its too wishy washy and is a way of saving money. Its also another way for an LEA to not issue Statements. However, statements have not been phased out at all and still remain in place.

To me anyway the IPA sounds like a cross between an IEP and School Action plus. There is no mention on it of extra support in class or one to one for instance. Would also agree that the Portage lady is not being obtuse; they are told this by their masters and then pass this on.

I agree, as a SALT in field of SN.Huge move to do away with statements.They aren't perfect but in tricky cases, are the only way to exercise your legal rights.

Trust noone, not even nice people. Always assume the worse and be on guard.I learnt all this myself the hard way.

Pretty obvious- it means they can't be pinned down and held to anything! Fine if the child doesn't need very costly support. May even make it easier for some borderline children to get help, as the LEA won't be frightened of committing themselves to a legally binding statement. But if your child needs continuous 1:1 support- I'd keep an eye on them.

My LEA is trying to phase this in, It must be part of a government directive. The problem is you really cannot trust the schools to have things in place and then you have no legal recourse when it all goes wrong.

Hmm, I am hoping that she will get put forward for a statement before school starts. At the moment she is 1yr behind in gross and fine motor skills, 6 months behind in speech and receptive language skills, 18 months behind in social interaction, has no sense of danger, escapes in a second, and has full 1:1 at preschool, & still runs rings, although they are always very positive about her. She was diagnosed with epilepsy this week also.

If she starts school in 2010, when do I need to start worrying if the statementing process hasn't been mentioned? I asked her preschool SENCO if she was likely to get a statement, and she said she thought she would, but she didn't sound completely convinced.

You should ask that the LEA perform a statutory assessment (SA) on your dd - perhaps around the start of Sept '09 but to happen before the end of this year. Depending on your dd's needs, she may need to be assessed by a SALT, OT, Ed Psych, etc - and their reports should all form part of the eventual Statement. You can either request a SA yourself or a professional involved with your dd can do so:

www3.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/specialneeds/sen-home/sen-assessment-statement.htm

There's lots of information here too:

www3.hants.gov.uk/childrens-services/specialneeds/sen-home/sen-parentpublications.htm

Also, scroll down about half-way to find a document about IPAs.

Lou

There is nothing to stop you writing to the LEA in question asking for Statutory Assessement for your DD. Infact I would apply for it rather than let anyone else do it; you know its been done then and you can appeal if the LEA say no. Places like school do not have this right.

You certainly need to get the ball rolling on this process this year. It can take 6 months for such a document to be set up anyway. Also SENDIST (the appeals panel) do not work at all in August.

IPSEA are very good and there are model letters you can use:-

www.ipsea.org.uk

Ok thanks. I brought it up with the Paed, who also sits on the West Hants Educational Advisory Group, and he said that DD had already been added into that group before she showed the signs of epilepsy for which he eventually took us on, so they are aware of her. The Portage worker also sits on that group, so she said that she will bring up DD at the next meeting anyway. So if by next term they haven't mentioned the future, I will bring it up with her preschool SENCO again, who also happens to be her keyworker and provides her 1:1.

It takes takes at LEAST six months. 6 months is the legal time limit and I know of very few people who've got it in less time than that. Took me a year (once you add in all the fake refusals, Tribunal applications and finally meeting to say 'oh, OK then'... like they should have in the first place .

Certain psychologists in Hampshire would appear to be fond of IPAs (she says very carefully!)
I get the impression that this is a far shorter paper-trail for them.
I don't think IPAs have any legal clout.
Statementing would still be a far safer route, and if you were to achieve any funding, far more satisfactory for the school in providing for needs.

I am definitely seeing the benefits for the LEA My daughter is NOT going to be palmed off with a chocolate teapot, whatever happens.