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.

I've just spoken to the other assessment manager (the one on the panel). She says that things need 'clarifying', she can't go into details and they will let parents know ASAP. But, get this, 'they're just not sure who's around next week with it being half term so she just can't say when we'll know'. When I got through she said, 'Have you called before?'. I said, 'Yes, about 25 times and nobody has called me back'. 'Well I never got the message.' Yeah, right...

I feel really angry for you JakB. I honestly wonder why these people do the job they do sometimes. Can they really be so insensitive as to not realise that the waiting and not knowing are unbearable.

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

Sorry, can't say anything more constructive and helpful. Arse.

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

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

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

Fingers crossed for good news soon.

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

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

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.

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

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

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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.

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...!

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??

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?

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 .

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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

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

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

Have you got his address?

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.