The F****** LEA

[JakB]

Still haven't heard the results of DD's panel. The caseworker said they haven't got the notes yet (?!), neither she or DD's assessment manager were at the meeting and that I should hear 'within a week' btu she's not really sure. Have sent a s*** e-mail as I just think it's so rude that they haven't got back to me (I have put several calls and e-mails in before speaking to somebody who hadn't even bothered to reply). We are going down there and I am letting DD loose in the LEA building if we haven't heard by 3.30.

[amynnixmum]

So sorry JakB I really hoped it would be good news.

We have a similar need in our borough for EBD places but at the moment there is no provision at all for under eights .

I was interested to hear today that the architect of the inclusions policy is now saying that this policy is failing many of our children - its amazing that its taken them 30 years to work it out.

Good luck with the MP.

[JakB]

Thanks Maddiemo- have drafted out a letter and put calls in left, right and centre!

[pixel]

I really can't believe I'm reading this. You mean they've fobbed you off for weeks awaiting a 'decision' knowing full well that there were NO places anyway??!! That's unforgivable. What exactly do they suggest you do now?

I agree 7 would neatly create a new class because there are 7 in ds's class now due to a new little boy joining recently.

As you say they must have known about all these children. It's not exactly a state secret that cases of autism are on the increase is it?

So sorry Jak, I was really looking forward to our littl'uns being together. Still, if you say they have at least MENTIONED the possibility of a new class it isn't completely out of the question then. It may be their only alternative in the end.

[maddiemo]

No NAS or private provison near which may be suitable. These are usually very, very expensive and LEA's usually prefer cheaper own borough provision. When we wrote to our MP, he passes letter to Catherine Ashton. Her involvement did seem to get everyone awake and paying attention.
I would write MP etc and warn LEA that you expect a response within a set period of time {2 weeks more than enough]. Perhaps ask for a meeting{maybe with the six other parents] with director of education and head of sen and ask to see their projection of SEN need in your area and if they have one, their autism policy. You certainly have enough children to start a class but I would be furious that this should appear to be news to your LEA.
I am not sure, but think you could also contact ofsted about the LEA.

[JakB]

Have you got his address?

[motherinferior]

AARRRGGGHHH.

Let me know if there's anything I can do - I just checked my notes and I interviewed one of the assistant directors for children and families in your neck of the woods a while back but that's the most useful thing I can dig up

[Blossomhill]

Jak - my heart really goes out to you. I will keep everything crossed for a happy ending. xxx

[JakB]

Yeah, exactly, HITC. DD was diagnosed over two years ago, for instance. And I know a few of these children have been in the pre-school special needs support service. It's outrageous BH, no, there is no suitable nearby provision. The other SLD/PMLD school has no provision for autistic children and, although a good school, when I went to see it they said, 'we think XXX is autistic but we haven't really got through to him'.
And very stressful. May find out more tomorrow and will let you know

[RnB]

Message withdrawn

[heartinthecountry]

Also goes to show how the concept of 'forward planning' is just a complete joke. Presumably if these 7 children are all severely autistic then they will have been known to someone - SALT, Paed, ed psychs, if not the LEA - for some time, at least a year or two. So how come they are only now realising they have 7 kids with no placement? Utterly ridiculous .

[Blossomhill]

JakB so sorry honey. You must be feeling so awful right now.
I really, really hope something is sorted out very soon. The LEA will have to do something as Jimjams says they certainly cannot expect severely autistic children to cope in mainstream.
Really silly questions (pls feel free to slap me) but are there any other suitable nearby alternatives?

[Jimjams]

SEVEN||?????? oh FFS!!!! Although it sounds like they have to do something pretty serious. They can't chuck seven severely autistic children into mainstream. It's a disgrace. What did they think was going to happen to these children- spontaneously recover??

[Davros]

Oh no! Maybe its good that there's 7 of them as an extra class would be viable. I love your point about the tumble drier, really well put. I will nick it...!

[heartinthecountry]

Oh no- was really hoping to hear good news . Sounds like you are doing all you can so no advice but keeping my fingers crossed for you.

[RnB]

Message withdrawn

[MABS]

oh God honey am so very sorry. No helpful advice , but just to say am thinking of you. x

[JakB]

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
The upshot is that they have SEVEN severely autistic children needing a place in the unit and NO places.
They are trying to create a new class but we don't know whether this is possible at the moment. Very stressful. Have to get on to local MP etc etc tomorrow and all other possible avenues. Any advice GRATEFULLY RECIEVED.
Have lost it with my assessment manager and said he was treating me as if I was chasing up the delivery of a tumble dryer, not a school place for my severely disabled daughter

[Davros]

I was wondering about this last night. I think JakB is away? Also, I don't suppose you'd ever hear anything from an LEA over half term..... they seem to think they don't have to do anything when its school hols.

[maddiemo]

Was hoping that you would have some good news by now Jakb

[heartinthecountry]

Any news jakb? (or have I missed another thread?)

[YogiYahooey]

I thought your original 'storm the offices' plan was spot on - then they would 'get the message'.

Fingers crossed for good news soon.

[MABS]

for fucks sake, yeah I know i swore, that is so totally unnacceptable. I am, for once, speechless.

[heartinthecountry]

OH jakB - was really hoping to see good news on this thread. FFS - this is so not on.

[RnB]

Message withdrawn