'Team Around The Child' meeting - what is it?

[MinnieMalone]

DS's school are arranging one for him. No idea what is.

We've had 2. Basically all the professionals involved with DS1 in some capacity are invited - most attended, discuss the pertinent issues and a Family Service Plan is drawn up after showing who is supposed to be doing what, why and when by. I was told I could appoint a Key Woker from one of them who I could call if I needed things chased up but I'd rather trust my cat to do it keep control.

I was also given a huge file and folder along with a document to complete, the idea being you take it with you when you meet professionals to save telling the back story but tbh it would take so long to read I can't really see the point unless it was sent in advanced!

Meant to add if any one is unable to attend they are asked to submit a report

Thanks notfromroundhere.

We have just sent off a request for statutory assessment and am wondering if this is part of the school showing they are doing loads for DS already, or what? It seems a coincidence that they have suddenly decided they all need to get together to discuss the situation (after 2 yrs + of to-ing and fro-ing).

I am also wondering how this is different from a multi-disciplinary team meeting, of the sort the professionals all have when the borough is deciding on whether to issue a statement or not?? Is this it? Or will that come later on down the line?

Finally, has anyone got any suggestions as to how I can make this meeting work for us ie. my son. How can I get the best out of it? What do I want to achieve, ultimately? I am wondering, really, how I can make sure all of this fannying around leads to getting him a statement pronto. He is in such dire need of the sort of 1:1 support that only a statement can provide

Any advice from old pro's gratefully received

The TAC is supposed to be about the school et all coming together to support you as a family - it is not designed for the say the school to set out their agenda. Dunno if that makes sense??

It can't influence statementing outcome directly as the mysterious decision makers aren't present, but it is useful for those involved to hear the whole story, all at the same time and not just the bits that they would deal with. It could well kick the LEA into providing some emergency funding in the interim. If there have been problems at school I would have a list with me, go through them and ask who is going to help, what are they going to do and when will they do it. (and also have some suggestions of things that might help him if there are any flashpoints). In theory a TAC meeting should stop the "no sorry can't help wrong department" buck-passing that can happen between agencies.

Blimey Starlight! Our minutes don't get get circulated until I return a signed copy and I have had the first version amended without any problems at all.

Yes, well after 4 MONTHS of complaining and letters to the Cheif Exec etc etc. They finally let me write my own minutes, but that was 2 months ago now and I haven't done it because I have more important things to do than rewrite minutes of 6 months ago.

I;ve taken over the keyworker role now and shall not be calling any TACs ever again. I prefer to deal with the agencies one at a time and ask them 'individually' not collectively why the feck they cannot attribute any of his progress to their input.

Sorry, guess I'm still bitter, - and yes, tis I. Like the name?

Many thanks for all your advice and insights.

To be honest, although the school are broadly supportive, it does feel like I have to fight for every bit of information and support we get, so I am not surprised that you are somewhat jaded by your experiences@DeslPardiseWife (I do like the new name! I am also a name-changer oldie )

Starlight McKenzie you might be my new hero. I've been recommended a TAC meeting by my kind but pointless Keyworker.
I already have a big blue folder that I keep updated but it doesn't stop me having to repeat myself every time I meet a new doc. I also have post it notes, a new blue book with day to day notes and a stationary fetish undiagnosed
There's also a huge flaw in the TAC suggestion for me. We don't have a T. DS2's condition is so rare (18p deletion) and he's somehow slipping under the radar right now because he's doing so well developmentally that the physio is the only person who knows him and sees him regularly. There's also our respiratory specialist at GOSH but we're losing him now because don't have private health insurance anymore - don't get me started
I can't get a paediatrician to be across it, my GP is less than useless. I can't even get a kidney referral for constant proteinuria.
I'm a can-do person in a can't-do system.
thank goodness for places to rant!

'I'm a can-do person in a can't-do system'

Oooooh, I LIKE that! Like most of what I say can I take it and make it my own/share it?

Nothing heroic about me btw, just pass on good advice and practice that others have given to me that I have benefitted from, and the desire to know that my hours of research and fighting with the authorities isn't completely a waste of time if I can pass on learnt strategies!

You are hereby granted permission to steal anything I might say that you like the sound of.
and I'm about to be a name/shape shifter too.

gosh, how has it taken me so long to come here and play!