Statement of Special Educational Needs

[Muffinmaker]

Hi, I have 6 year old High Functioning Autistic son, with ADHD, who is very behind at school. He is actually being managed out of his prep school and we are moving him to a state school where he is likely to get more help. Hopefully some 1:1. We have requested a Statementing process to go ahead, but I have a bad vibe that the panel have said no. The lady from the Borough Council left a message to call her about it - her tone of voice was very solemn like my cat had died. Do you appeal against the panel's decision? I'm a bit confused why you have to keep appealing to get a statement. Do they refuse first time every time?

Have you been in contact with Parent Partnership / snap (wales), they will help you through the statement process with you and attend any meetings with the school and LEA. They may not be as proactive as you would like, but the best thing about PP /SNAP is that the schools and lea are usually more polite when you meet with a representive present and PP/SNAP will take minutes of what was discussed and agreed.

IPSEA (web site and telephone advisors)are excellent, well worth a call to get you heading in the right direction. There web site is excellent and has template letters re appeal system. We had a support worker who we sent all the statement information for advice, I dont think we could have got through the process without her support.

Good luck

Where we live they seem to say 'no' to any request for Statutory Assessment whatever, then you have to appeal and go to tribunal. We were told in a meeting that we would not get a statement unless our DS2 (8) - AS and sensory processing difficulties - needed full time 1 to 1 but it is my understanding that is not an allowable (not 'legal'???) policy. It is very frustrating. He does not need that level of support but is not coping or making progress in school as things stand (despite best efforts of school). We are about to embark on the process. Try NAS website, might have got it wrong but from a quick look the other day I think they have advisors about this too.

would agree with Dolfin about IPSEA they are brilliant, google them for the website, they produce useful fact sheets too to guide you through the various processes and give you templates for letters you may need to write.