Ed Psych report - does it carry more weight than others for statementing?

[notfromaroundhere]

Sorry for yet another statementing question

The Ed Psych visited DS1 at preschool for stat assessment on Friday. Going on what she said to me, I am expecting her report will be that DS1 doesn't need a statement. I know I can't fortunate-tell but I will be amazed if that is not the case. (DS1 was having a very good day at preschool which has been far for the norm for the last couple of months).

DS1's SALT, Specialist Teacher and Community Paeditrician have all said to me that they think DS1 needs a statement and their reports will reflect that.

Anyone been in a similar position where 1 professional has a vastly different view to the others involved?

The person they will hold in highest regard is the paediatrician if he does a detailed letter/report also stating he feels it is necessary to implement a statement for your son, also include any others like salt etc which will help too, but it is the paediatrician you need to look to. Hth

The person they will hold in highest regard is the paediatrician if he does a detailed letter/report also stating he feels it is necessary to implement a statement for your son, also include any others like salt etc which will help too, but it is the paediatrician you need to look to. Hth

Sorry, but in my experience, the EP is the one (as the LA's employee) who seems to hold the most power.

For ds's statement application, the Ed Psych had never assessed him, nor even met him, nor even attended a meeting to talk about him.

His report consisted of one line saying that he had not worked with him but an EP had been involved at his previous school.

My own contribution ran to four pages, detailing the problems he'd had throughout his school career and ongoing issues of temper and violence.

Reports were not requested from the professionals I recommnended outside of school/hospital who worked with ds regularly and knew him well. Other 'in the system' reports referred to some problems but omitted others. I got the impression that the most important reports (as far as the panel were concerned) were from the EP and autism outreach.

He didn't get an assessment, never mind the statement.

I withdrew him to home educate straight away and haven't looked back.

The paediatrician gives a medical view. DD1's paed report stretched to two sheets, basically saying that she is healthy, has epilepsy but well controlled, will be at a significant disadvantage due to her brain condition, and could do with access to a hygiene room (which is a bit bizarre, because she is toilet trained, but hey) and step markers.

The EP's report was 8 pages long, had over 25 recommendations and identified 8 areas of 'significant SEN'.

Both, verbally, suggested that MS school would be ok with 1:1 support.

LEA came back with a SS placement, which we were happy with (after a wobble), but all the professionals were amazed that we got it, because it is hard to get.

My submission was 17 pages in the end after heavy editing.

Forgot to say, the EP can't say 'doesn't need a statement', because that is for the LEA to decide. What they can do is point out strengths and weaknesses, and how that compares to a typical child of your child's chronological age. DD's report had some really positive elements, such as colour knowledge being at least age appropriate, etc.

Well i was just saying from experience, for the last few years its been resting on the paediatrician to help us, some ed psych's can be helpful, just need to find the right one.

Thanks for your replies.

I did suspect the EP report carries more weight hence my post, though it's good to hear they can be successfully challenged like Riven's. Sounds like you go a raw deal there Streakybacon but I'm glad the Home Ed has worked out well for you. And Lou's experience shows you can't always be sure of what type of statement will be offered. I've also submitted a parental report though it was only 5 pages long so hope it was detailed enough.....

The Ed Psych did say once I got her report if there was anything that was factually incorrect she would amend it but if it was her professional opinion she would be happy to discuss it but may stand by it.

DS1's Specialist Teacher is also LEA. She is actually in the process of applying for additional funding for DS1 to increase his 1:1 time from 1.5hrs out of the 2.5hr session to 2.5hrs. This is also to include preparation time for the preschool to put together more visuals as, in her opinion they were over-estimating DS1's ability to understand and were relying too heavily on complicated (for him) verbal instructions.

When a visual timetable was introduced as per SALT advice to get DS1 to do adult-led activities, he responded by becoming disruptive throughout the entire session, each session for 6 weeks. He had previously been quite passive in preschool so this was new behaviour for them to deal with (though it is definitely not new behaviour at home).

They have since dropped the timetable and swapped to a First/Then board and DS1's behaviour has settled though I still have trouble getting him in the door and snacktime is still a flash point). WRT the nightmare that was the visual timetable, The Ed Psych said this was typical behaviour of a child his age, that he was way ahead in many areas and that some children would be starting school with their parents unaware they have difficulties and he wouldn't be the only child who needed help with toiletting and dressing. She also said all parents worry about their first-born starting school.

She dismissed much of what I said about DS1's increasing anxieties as "well you will never know if it is anxiety causing it" and the general tone from her was patronising tbh and I thought at one point she may pat me on the head! He kicked off a bit at snacktime during her visit but she felt this was because he was last to the table, even though he has been disruptive at snacktime for the last few weeks.

I know I just have to wait and see but it felt like she was laying the groundwork for the school to handle with their own resources. As preschool are currently having to give him 1:1 support for the 2.5hrs he is there (though not officially funded atm) I am concerned of how he will cope in mainstream without some specfic support time.

notfromaroundhere, don't worry about the length of your submission! Mine was only so long because the nature of DD's brain malformation means that she's 'not quite right' in all areas in some way, IYSWIM. So everything they asked for detail on had to have an explanation, from fine motor, gross motor, E&B, S&L, everything. They probably cried when it landed on their desks.

You're right Lou I am just stuck in limbo land thinking I could have done everything better atm.

We had the Team around the child meeting this afternoon and I did mention the Ed Psych's comments. Preschool were shocked and over the Ed psych stating he only kicked off at snack time as he was last to the table. The Preschool, Specialist Teacher and SALT reassured me that their reports would not be the glowing type that is expected to come from the Ed Psych. (glowing was the word used by the Specialist Teacher when I relayed the Ed Psych's comments).

The deputy head from the school we want him to go to was there and asked what kind of hours. The SALT and Specialist Teacher said definitely not full, but when the Deputy Head asked what would happen when DS1 was going through a bad soiling phase (where he can need changing up to 8 times a day) there was silence. Still, hours will be a different battle...

I think the ed psych will carry more weight. Paed it will depend if they have particular interest; or clinical psych again if particular expertise; but the ed psych is considered the expert on education and most LA will jump on a report which says m/s as cheaper. Could you afford a private ed psych opinion if you don't get offered what you want?

Grumpyoldeyeore - We could possibly run to a private Ed Psych report depending on the cost. Would the LEA take any notice of it though as we will have paid for it? The deadline for reports being submitted as part of stat assessment is tomorrow, so I've missed the boat on that one but something to consider if we end up down the appeal route.

I know the Ed Psych who assessed DS1 has given some really poor advice to a parent I know (they have twins who both have developement delays plus other difficulties but she advised them to only apply for 1 statement first otherwise they would look "greedy" applying for 2 at the same time) so I am not quite sure how impartial she is.

argh it cut some of my post off
tiremumno1 we got our paed report through today and it is a supportive, fair and accurate assessment of DS1 so hopefully will be taken into account.

good i am glad. thought i was being ignored . it should help you immensely, if it doesnt go your way, make sure you appeal and dont take no crap off these idiots that think they know whats best for your child.

Yes you can provide your own private Ed Pysch report which would probably be a far more comprehensive assessment (and fairer one) than the LEA's own Ed Pysch.

I'd wait for the outcome of the Stat Assess before commissioning private report (if you need to).

When preparing for Tribunal the first thing the solicitor wanted us to get was a private Ed Pysch report.

has he been diagnosed with anything?? sorry if i missed it anywhere.

Thanks tiredmumno1 I was horrified when I realised it had cut my post off as can imagine it looked like I was ignoring you which I really wasn't.
Sorry should have said DS1 was dx with ASD when was 3.2 and is now 4.5. (also has sensory processing difficulties and chronic constipation).

Thanks WetAugust, will do some digging around to see if there are any private Ed Psychs in our area should we need one.

If you are looking for a private EP, seek advice from Ipsea or SOS SEN as they will know those who have particular expertise to suit your child. Also it's important to find one who is experienced in writing reports for Tribunals and are willing to appear as expert witnesses, as not all of them are able to do so.

We used an excellent one - absolute Rottweiler at Tribunals I heard. Had to travel over 100 miles and pay £800 but worth every penny.

The SEN case officer (or something along those lines) rang today to say that a draft statement was being sent out by 1st class post. I am expecting to have to have it amended but am very pleased one has been issued all the same . One less battle!

We can't even get ed psyche from LEA to assess, despite letter from paeds saying she desperately needs one. The school have lied and says DD has no issues! She has uncontrolled epilepsy (between 5 and 30 seizures per day). We're moving to an area where we hope the LEA are easier to deal with and then will pursue statement vigorously but may get a private ed psyche to see in the meantime. I hadn't been sure whether anyone would pay attention to private assessment - so thanks for this.

Am sick of whole bl**dy system! I've written to editor of Dispatches to run programme on unfair SEN system and going to see MP.