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.

Oh JakB - that is so unfair! Don't they realise how important this is to you and that waiting a week is not acceptable . Surely surely it just needs someone to make a bloody phonecall to someone who was there.

Really hope you hear soon.

have you phoned your EP? mine was quite willing to phone us to let us know

I haven't had contact with our EP since the first assessment was done. I'm so angry and upset. They just don't realise how stressful life is anyway without this. Have sent them an e-mail to that effect! Thanks for your support

I got told off for ringing up and asking about ds These people seem to have no idea how very difficult and distressing these things are for parents- its just a job to them.

Hi JakB,

I do hope this is not the case with your good self but in the LEA I come under the catchment of (Basildon) the panel meetings are held every three weeks!. You need to establish how often they meet up.

Am not unfortunately all that surprised to read that you haven't heard from the EP. I did not hear from mine either; infact I got a phone call late one afternoon from one of the LEA staff to say that the assessment had been agreed (three panel meetings later mind you; a total of 9 weeks!!).

Any chance of meeting with the LEA directly; it might be worth your while.

Meerkats

Oh dear- - how about ringing the school direct- this is ridiculous!

Jimjam's suggestion might be worth a go but in my case I found out that DS was going to get a statement before the school knew.

meerkat- JakB was waiting for a special school panel. The head teacher will have been there.

Jimjams,

Am sorry, did not realise that. I would hope that the Head Teacher would know something having read that.

Bloody LEA's - what I did not call the useless shower who dealt with DS's application!.

I would ask the caseworker worker to ring someone who attended the meeting and ask on your behalf. They should not keep you hanging on like that.

We were allowed to ring on day of placement and find out what placement ds had been given.

Any news JakB?

Sort of. Not good. Lots more children than places in ASD units in the school we want (SLD) and the one a friend wants (MLD). In 'moderation' all day talking about possibility of expanding units. FFS, they've had these children on their caseload for months and years. Did they not see this coming?

Hell and damnation - this is supposed to be part of their forward planning FFS, I write cliches like that more often than I like to think.

Grrrr, I was hoping to see good news from you JakB. So does that mean they haven't settled it then? What happens next? Surely they can't be surprised that parents want to know what is happening. Have you got a case worker or liaison person? I was phoned on the day of Panel but that was some years ago, they're always changing things and not letting anyone know. You must be so pissed off!

for you and dd Jakb. I am crossing everything for you.

Yes, have got two contacts at the LEA. One has been in 'meetings' all day. The other was very dismissive and said that we would hear within a week (probably)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another friend of mine heard at 11.30 this morning that her son had got a place at a unit attached to a mainstream primary school. Plenty of places there, apparently, but not so for the likes of DD.

for f**ks sake Jak , that is outrageous. I just dunno what else to say my luv... xx

Sorry to hear that your LEA is not giving you an answer, I truly believe these people no have clue to what you are put through and should take time to find out!!
Hope you get an answer soon.

I just don't know why they can't be straight with us. Also, I know two other mums who are going for places in the unit and I'm just hoping we all get in. Be so hard if two do and one doesn't, or the like.

How many unit places were there Jakb?

Your LEA sounds like ours. I do think this is appalling treatment though- can you imagine the outcry if they made every child going for a school place wait "a week or so" - outrageous- keep on at them.

Yeah, bloody slippery b.
(BTW- Bad week all round, DH is at the Liverpool game in Istanbul and they are losing 3 nil).
Maddiemo, I think (from the parent governor grapevine) there are 3. I know of three children who have gone for the unit all with a diagnosis of SLD and autism. And that's only the people I know!
Oh well, my mum just said that DD is so amazingly autistic she must surely have come top in their 'who needs the place most' quiz

Still now news. My assessment manager is off sick! (I wonder why?). The other assessment manage is meant to be calling me back but nothing yet.

Have they called you yet?