Nottinghamshire - Statementing process

[misscutandstick]

im really sorry, another statementing question.

A couple of months ago our portage worker told me not to worry about statementing as she would sort it out. Ok i thought, thats brill! DS5 is 2.9y and will be starting nursery in september. He has very little understanding of spoken language, so will need help in the classroom - its a lovely nursery, the teachers are brill and do a fantastic job at teaching - so hes going to need 1-1 to help him understand whats going on and what he should be doing.

So at her words, i felt happy safe in the knowledge thats what would happen.

Yesterday i pressed her more on the actual details. . It isnt actually a statement, apparently "nottinghamshire dont actually do them, we forward a letter and they get funding," "he wont get full time as he wont need it, just class time," (ok theres a good chance he may be ok at playtimes, but I dont want him being picked on! "it will be one of the staff that knows him that will help him" ... so there wont actually be any EXTRA help in the form of another TA/assistant then???

And what happens in junior school??? its unlikely to have resolved by then, (non-verbal, lacks understanding, GDD of approx 18mths) and portage stops at 5... what to do, what to do???

Is this normal procedure?

Hi,

I guess you took what the portage worker said at face value. Harsh lesson but never take anything they say at face value. Would always advise parents themselves to apply for the statement because they know its been done then and importantly they have the right of appeal in the event the LEA say no.

Think Notts are acting outside of the law here. You need to speak to someone like IPSEA or SOS;SEN as a matter of urgency. You need proper advice from them.

Re this comment:-

"nottinghamshire dont actually do them, we forward a letter and they get funding," "he wont get full time as he wont need it, just class time," (ok theres a good chance he may be ok at playtimes, but I dont want him being picked on! "it will be one of the staff that knows him that will help him" ... so there wont actually be any EXTRA help in the form of another TA/assistant then???

Statements have not been abolished and these are still issued but many LEA's are now going down the path of devolving powers to schools basically telling schools to sort it out (mainly to save money). This is seemingly what is happening here to your family. This does the children who do need statements a great disservice. Statements should be issued on basis of need only, costs do not and should not come into it. They know the law but many LEA's can and do act outside of it.

FIO: im not sure, would the LEA be able to tell me and would i get the truth???

ATTILA: The portage worker said something along the lines of "they only issue statements if a child needs to go to a special school as its an 'inclusion' county"

So im not really sure where that leaves us... how do i know that he may or may not need a special school? who would be able to tell me the truth about statementing options in this county? is that the job of IPSEA?

"ATTILA: The portage worker said something along the lines of "they only issue statements if a child needs to go to a special school as its an 'inclusion' county"

WHAT!!!!!! Well that takes the cake - inclusion county my arse. Non inclusion mor elike. Sorry to shout btw but that is outrageous not just to say illegal. This is a clear breach of the law if they're actually saying that to people. LEA's cannot plead ignorance with the law.

Do get either IPSEA or SOS;SEN on board as a matter of course. I see FioFio has provided the link for you for IPSEA.

Some Parent Partnerships work closely with the LEA in question, they are certainly not completely independent of LEA's (the PP works out of the same building as the LEA in my LEA area). Not saying you should not use them but do bear in mind that they can tow the party line.

many thanks to you both, have had a look at both sites and have a general idea of where to start - and pitfalls to watch out for! Thanks XXX

As stated had a good browse thru the sites and did as they suggested and went to the nursery and had a chat. Discussed my concerns and asked her exactly what the procedure is.

OK, as far as I could keep up with they have a certain funding in which ALL local schools 'bid' for. They do that for all the children that need extra help in the form of 1-1's. Each year the school 'bids' for funding for each child that needs the help. Each school also puts in the amount of money/hours that are awarded. I was told that it was likely that DS5 would probably get awarded 1hr from the fund and the school would make up the other hour - as he probably wont need 1-1 over the freetime.

I was told flatly that even if i went ahead with trying to get a statement, it just wouldnt happen because of the system of funding. She said that the funding would apply until year6 - but if i felt that he needed a statement to go to senior school, i should start the process in year 5, and they would help.

so i feel much better, knowing that is the truth, and he will get the funding. Many thanks for all replies. COusin is just starting on the statementing route for her Aspie son, who's in yr5 - will pass on all the info and links, so thanks from her too!

i live in nottinghamshire and we have the same issues, they are very difficult about statementing but i think if you push enough they will. you needs to get an educational psychologist to asses your child and then see what they say. If you still want a statement then you can write to the lea requesting they asses your child for a statement and they have to do that i believe but they can then say they dont need any extra help other than whats already been set out in the school action plus (what they are suggesting now!). were only in the early stages of all this as my son has been in preschool for just a few weeks and so far is doing ok with just additional support, but i cant see this lasting due to the problems is is having etc, if i can help at all let me know xx

Thanks JBM, i was wondering if Ed Psych only gets involved AFTER LO starts nursery/school? as DS5 doesnt start until Sept.

Misscutandstick,

Re your comment:-

"I was told flatly that even if i went ahead with trying to get a statement, it just wouldnt happen because of the system of funding. She said that the funding would apply until year6 - but if i felt that he needed a statement to go to senior school, i should start the process in year 5, and they would help.

Oh of course they would . And you won't get it then either. Actually with regards to statements it is far better to apply for it earlier rather than leaving it till Y5. These people should be ashamed honestly.

School Action plus is not legally binding and can be limited in scope and application.

I think you have been badly served by these people. I would still apply for the Statement regardless from the LEA and speak to IPSEA as a matter of course.

You are your child's best - and only -advocate.

the ep was involved before my ds started preschool , he was put on action plus and got 1-1 , they now agreed that hes goin need statement just going be question what they offer and what i want

Ds is 3.8 (school sep 2009)hes no verbal , lack understanding and GDD to oh im in Essex and theydid try fob me of to with the well once hes at school were .....

dim question - how do i get ed psych involved? who would refer (we have portage, nursery, SALT and Paed on board)? TBH im fast becoming the nursery teachers squeeky wheel

I would have thought preschool would get in the EP (this is what happened in our case when DS was at preschool).

We saw an ep before ben started preschool though had to push for it, talk to portage/early years support, ecap or whoever you inclusion worker is they should be able to arrange it. where abouts in notts are you?

we were put forward for Ecap, but apparently he is making too much progress!?! (personally havent seen much progress at all due to inclusion, as much as he loves it!)

So we have portage fortnightly, hour each session.

We are just outside worksop, in Langold, next to Oldcotes. We are seeing portage next Thursday, so will make a point of asking her directly if she could get one (ep) involved ASAP (knowing how long these things take!) Do they have to see the child 'in situ' as it were - like a nursery or group setting, or is it a clinic/in house thing?

Hi MC+S.

I have a dd with gdd who is nursery age who is in the process of statementing.From what our Portage worker said then a parent can request a Statement and the LA are LEGALLY supposed to reply to the request within a six week deadline.I will try and hunt down the letter for you .

Found it

Adress it to the SEN section of your local children and family/education services of your LA.

Dear Sir/Madam

Re:CHILDS NAME AND DOB.

I am writing to request a statutory assessment of (Child's name) special educational needs under section 323 of the 1996 Education Act.

I am making this request because (Child) has (Detail medical condition/difficulties) that are impacting on his/her abilities to access school/nursey life and make adequate progress.

List evidence eg from SALT/physio/OT/portage/medical prof

I understand you have six weeks from the date you receive this letter to make your decision whether to proceed with the Statutory assessment.

I look forward to hearing from you

Yours faithfully..

uNFORTUNATELY OF COURSE IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY WILL DEFFO OBLIGE BUT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO REQUEST AND AN ANSWER,DETAILED REASONS.

Keep nagging them.Good luck.

thanks wrinkly

Prior to dd statementing(it can take 6 mnths)

We had a meeting with all the profs involved in care,does this happen where you are?The paed referred to the Ed Psych and they visited her nursery setting,her Portage group and a home visit to assess her developmental level in several areas.

The Portage worker arranged for an organisation called the Pre School Learning Alliance to provide 4 hours out of the 12.5 she got when turning 3 as 1:1 within nursery.

I fee I am really iucky though as have a great Portage person and dd nursery is lovely.

From reading on here it seems like a real postcode lottery as the support I have receied for dd from all agencies has been wonderful.

http//www.pre-school.org.uk

hey m,iss cut and stick, i used to live in worksop, i live in bilsthorpe now - over not far from ollerton!

hi the devlopment paed got the education people involved

we dont have a 'developemental'Paed, just a regular one - its been mentioned on here that he sounds like just a medical paed, and that DS5 should be seeing a developmental one. Thing is im not sure if we even have one - we live in quite a small area, and the Paed we have is EXTREMELY well thought of, is this another job for portage (refering for a developmental paed, if there is one) or someone should someone else refer?

*I really feel that i cant ask our Paed for referal as its practically a slap in the face!

ask the gp, they will know if the paed you see is the best for this in the area/at that hospital, you could alternitively get referred to an alternative hospital and try one of theres?? though the one we see from kings mill is useless so maybe avoid there!!!

Will ask the GP... going on Tuesday to refer DS4 too