Sorry another SA question

[thederkinsdame]

Hi there,

I am puzzling over the SA process again. We have just applied and have received the letter telling us we have 29 days to give our reasons. Should we submit all the reports we have with our letter at this stage? Someone has suggested cross-referring to them in a=our letter and attaching them. What did all of you guys do?

Also, does anyone have any tips on writing the letter? Assume I should put in about everything since birth. DS is at pre-sch, starts primary in Sept and has ASD with behavioural issues.

Thanks for reading!

I would definitely submit all the reports. I'd go at it like this: 'x has difficulties with y, as stated in z's report (and then quote the relevant bit) and this means he needs because without it he would '

Does that make sense? Also quote any bits from reports that recommend or hint at anything specific that he needs.

Good luck.

That's great, givememoresleep. This was my gut instinct, too. I was worried as It kind of goes against what they say in the letter in what to send in (more detailed reposrts will be requested later etc etc blah blah blah), but my gut instinct is to send it all in as we have compiled so much evidence since his dx.

Hi I dont know what area you are in but in my area the LEA has a section on the website that gives you advice on writing your letter and how to set it out. Giving you different headings and this in its self is a great prompt as to what to actually put in the letter. Give it a try .

Thanks oddjob3 - I'll take a look. It's terrible, isn't it, but we've received such conflicting advive from professionals etc that I am already feeling like a hardened old cynic!

It's a way of trying to head off the almost automatic 'no' that seems to act as an unoffical filtering system in some areas. If they can see that other people are backing you, they're aware that there are potential Tribunal witnesses and may take your application more seriously.

The areas you would normally focus on are: behaviour, communication, understanding/ cognition, social skills, sensory, physical difficulties.

It is sad but necessary that we have to get so cynical. At least then anything 'fair' is a nice surprise, hey!

I would try to make your letter very clear as soon as possible so that the 'headline' stuff is in early on in case it's read by a lazy so-and-so!

Thought this was the case! Will bear in mind what you've said re. putting important bits first - thanks for all your advice folks!

Thanks, Duchess, I am seeing them on Wednesday so will pass mine on too!

Yes, at this stage I broke down DD's issues into givememoresleep's categories, except that I separated fine & gross motor also. Remember, too, that the LA have a duty to all children in their care, so I included what impact a lack of support for DD would have on other children (their teacher having to divert onto DD).

Also, have a think about whether you are leaning toward MS or SS, because you can phrase the same reasons in different ways in order to steer decision making (i.e. suggesting your child will be incredibly disruptive can steer towards SS)

Thanks, Lou, those are good points, as DS is disruptive, and can be unpredictable. We are edging towards unit in m/s, and the EP has said in report that this is where they feerl he would be best placed. Just have to convince them now!