Statementing- received draft report from SALT advice needed.

[staryeyed]

In the middle of statementing - I have just received report from Nursery Speech therapist. The content of the report is quite accurate however the recommendations are not specific except for recommending blocks of 6 week sessions each term of one to one / small group therapy which generally isn't enough but that is all she is funded to do in the school. Should she change this - suggesting more hours of speech therapy as we may not end up at this school.

anyone?

i'm not very good on statementing, since DS hasn't got one, but as I understand it - you feel that SALT should be recommending what is appropriate for your son, rather than what their resources actually permit? I suppose there is no harm in asking whether if DS was at a different - more specialised? school he could access more frequent SALT - but I suspect it will be very difficult to get them to alter the report to recommend more SALT.

SALT sent me the report to approve it before she submits it.

well there's never harm in asking for more is there . Would also consider if you are happy with some of the SALT being in groups, or if you think 1-1 for all sessions is essential.

We aren't at the statementing point yet (DS doesn't start school until Sept 2010) but the SALT etc warned me that the reports they wrote would be on the grim side so that DS1 got the maximum support he needed. So on that basis I would have expected the report to reflect what your DS needs rather than what is known to be available. Does your DS see another SALT besides the nursery SALT? Are they doing a report too?

No other SALT at the moment. There was the pre-school team one but she was supposed to be replaced with someone who didn't materialise. I think I will say that I want her to be a bit more generous about the hours ds needs and that he should have some one to one work.

Thanks all

That's great that you can give your comments on the report before she sends it off. You might want to point out that your dc needs continuous SALT, not blocks of 6 weeks, then nothing for 6 weeks. Also try and get her to write that something along the lines of, LSA needs to work on SALT targets with your dc at school in a quiet room for 30 minutes per day, and this LSA is to receive supervision and training from a SALT for 1 h every 2 weeks, or something like that.
If she refuses, point out that it is her job to assess the child's needs, NOT to shoehorn the child's needs into existing provision - that would be unlawful.

Homsa I emailed her and she said she was unable to change the recommendations as that is the provision that already exists. It didn't sound right to me but I didnt know enough to argue. So should I say that Im not happy.

Yes that's how they seem to operate in most LEAs - mine included - and it's a scandal. Do you have her response in writing? That could be important evidence, if you want to go down that route.
You could try and put some pressure on her, saying that it is unlawful to base her recommendations on what her service can provide, rather than what the child actually needs. Maybe threaten to complain to the head of service, Chief Executive of the Trust, etc.
IME it will make your dealings with the LEA easier if the advice from the professionals includes some reasonable recommendations, which the LEA can't really ignore when they write the statement. Good luck!

Thanks homsa. Have just received the report from the ed psych again quite accurate but very vague recommendations. I have the reply email from the SALT. Have you got any information about how the recommendations should be made so that I can back up my argument.

Stary, look at IPSEA website here for more specific advice.They are great.
IPSEA
Tis indeed illegal to recommend on basis of what is there.
Also remmeber that it is illegal to have anything about SALT and communication in section of statement called 'Non educational needs'. Refer to landmark Lancashire judgement (details on IPSEA site)

Description of child's needs in Part 2
Description of provision (specified and quantified) to fulfill those needs in Part 3.

Get that sorted and all else is easier.

Thanks Moondog have looked on IPSEA Does anyone have specific literature and how do I get my point across without getting the SALTs back up.

Can anyone tell me whether the reports should specifically quantify how many hours of support Ds should receive from each professional and can they recommend which sort of setting would be best for DS or does that part come when the statement is written?

Look at this bit regarding county judgements particularly the case of 'R versus Lancashire County Council'.

Stary, you need to give IPSEA a ring.

Also, what will happen is that a draft of the statement will be snet to you to approve, based on reports written and collated.

It will be shit of course-vague, illegal and not worth paper written on.

Your job is to go through it with a fine tooth comb and send it back with your amendments (asdk for electronic copy so that you can do this easily).

All provsion must be quantified and specified. This is ESSENTIAL. Keep on sending it back unitl you are completely satisfied. Ignore what they tell you is avaialbl.e Conside what you (in conjunction with proffesionals you trust) deem appropriate.

Do NOT sign it off as ok until IPSEA have seen it.

SEN:SOS also very good.

Take as much time as you need.My friend went through 13 drafts before she was satisfied.

SNAP also worth going to see to talk you through legailties.

Don't expect SALT to understand ins and outs of statements.Just make sure that you do.

Thanks Moondog will give IPSEA a ring.