SALT provision in school

[Fel1x]

Have been told by DS's SALT today that he will definitely need extra 1-1 help for speech when he starts school (in September) and wont manage on the standard provision that he will likely get.
She has said that there is some funding she can apply for (has to be the SALT apply) a term before he starts (so needs to apply soon) and that means he can get sessions every week in school with a SALT trained TA to implement a SALTs program.
I asked if it was like a statement and she said no, its like an IEP but you get extra funding for it.
Does anyone know about this and how it works? Am wondering what will happen if she applies and they dont get the funding for him? or if its agreed, how to make sure its being implemented?

I'm sorry but that doesn't make much sense to me. Not saying it won't happen, just that it sounds very different from my experience.

Can you speak to her again to ask what it all means and what happens if they don't get it?

They do have pots for targets,but also they do tend to spin crud in order to put people off statementing.

I would give her a ring or email, say thanks for being amde aware of the extra funding available, sounds good, if she could just pop a letter out wto you with the name of the scheme so you can investigate more you's nbe most grateful

I always say beware the cons of March: apply now and you may just get a statement ijn palce before the new school year, any later and no chance.

some areas do operate a SN audit type system so the schools recieve points if a child has input from external sources eg salt. They also get points for being on SA & on SA+. the idea being the more involvement & the greater the need of the child the more ££ given as the points convert to ££ allocated to the schools SN budget.
It is supposed to mean that a child does not have to be fully statemented before the school gets extra support.
LEA's also have additional SN budgets that a school can apply to, at any time to meet the needs of a particular child or difficulty.
Maybe the SALT means she can apply direct to the LEA for funding to help?

Thanks both of you. Good idea to ask for letter with details so I can look it up, I will do that.
I'm not sure we would be able to get a statement anyway tbh. DS hasnt been diagnosed yet (has multi disciplinary panel planned for the summer though and has likely AS), his HV (SN one) says he wouldnt need a statement as he is not severe enough to qualify - plus her and SALT and pre school etc all say he should start school and see if he needs any extra help before we can apply for extra help iyswim as he may not need any.
SALT says he will need extra speech help as he is quite delayed on his pronounciation and he will not be able to the reading/writing as it is done phoneticly, so if he is not hearing/saying the sounds correctly then he will not learn to read and write well.
His speech has got to the level where he is able to be understood most of the time now though so he shouldnt struggle too much other than the phonetic stuff - is that sufficient enough need to appy for a statement with no diagnosis of anything do you think??
Also I dont find out which school he gets into until end April, so cant really do anything till then anyway can I?
All so confusing!!!

x posts anon, thank you.
Yes perhaps the SALT is applying direct to the LEA. I will definitely ask her to clarify!
If so, would the money that is applied for have to be directly spent on my DS getting 1-1 or would the school be able to use it at their discretion?

It SHOULD be used directly to pay for support for your ds.
However I have known schools still to be charged when SALTS don't turn up, go off long term sick etc.
Once the budget transfers have been done the schools/SENCO are often too busy to chase up the support.
Make sure you know what level of support is agreed & that he actually receives what is promised.

'his HV (SN one) says he wouldnt need a statement as he is not severe enough to qualify'

Bollox. It has nothing to do with severety, but with need.

'plus her and SALT and pre school etc all say he should start school and see if he needs any extra help before we can apply for extra help iyswim as he may not need any.'

Bollox again. In fact, strategically it is better to apply for a statement 'before' he starts school so that he doesn't have to 'fail' for a couple of years before they have enough evidence to support an application. You do have a bit of advantage doing it before school.

'Also I dont find out which school he gets into until end April, so cant really do anything till then anyway can I?
All so confusing!!!'

Yes you can. A child doesn't need to be in school to get a statement. It will take 6 months at least anyway and if you do it now, it may all be in place for a start in September. It should be based on need not diagnosis.

It isn't always necessary to get a statement, but in your position I would do it, purely because I have no confidence in these professionals who you are working with since they either no nothing, or are lying to you. A statement is legal protection of your ds' rights to an accessible education.

Have you been onto the IPSEA website. There is a model letter there you should copy and send. Be prepared to be refused and be prepared to appeal. It sounds scary, but it is pretty matter of course and only a paper exercise at this point.

hth

Do 2 things from now on:

1. Confirm everything in writing

2. Write down every conversation with dates, times and promises.

As debs said really

I ahver 2 with statements, ds1 has an AS dx and has had his statement since before the DX was given.

They try all manner of crap, ignore it all. Speak to IPSEA, SOS! SEn etc then YOU decide if he needs a statement and go from there.

maybe he doesn't many with AS do not.

Just a thought though- what help is he getting from SLT? HAs he a language delay? Technically that rules out AS as a dx.

Sorry- I read there afterwards

delays then?

nah he shoudln;'t get an AS dx (but soem PAeds do as they don't nknow teh correct diagnostic system).

triad of imapirments plus no language delays = AS

triad plus language delays = HFA

triad + language delays iq under 60 = autism of the trad type

but many aplces give dx of asd now anyway and after the publication of dsm V it is expected that will be the normHave my ASD MA powerpoint on ASd communication; feel free to cat if you want it

Thanks, this is all very helpful.
His paed has verbally said they will likely diagnose as mild ASD rather than Aspergers as 'Aspergers is not a helpful diagnosis'. I think she meant for getting extra help if needed.
DS has a speech delay but not language I think. IE He can speak age appropriately (lowest percent range within normal though according to SALT). It is just the pronouciation that is more delayed. He has until recently been unable to pronounce any consonants well except 'b' and 'd'
Now he can say 'f' and sometimes 's' as well!

So, what do you think my plan of action should be? How about the following?
Shall I call his SALT and ask for written information about this extra funding she has mentioned plus written info about what extra help she thinks he will need at school?
(she is newly qualified and v v over worked, so what happens if she doesnt feel able to confirm things in writing without checking with her boss or if she simply doesnt have time to get it to me?)
Once I receive that I can look into the funding mentioned and if it seems vague at all then I can think about applying for a statement. Do you honestly think it is a good enough reason to apply for a statement?
If I do decide to apply for a statement at that point should I inform the SALT first? and would I be able to use her written info on what help DS needs to support my application for a statement?

Sorry for all questions and thank you so much for your help so far!!

Get it in writing- not really so you can look into it (though that would be good) but so that if they never some up with anything or are just stalling you there is then the opportunity to say well I refer you to this letter of X date....

Always teh key IMe and IMO. MAazing how things change when you start to do that.

The thinsg about AS isnt a helpful dx depends where you live, I woudl tend to trust a PAed on that, but as I say if tehre is recognised langauge delay it should be HFA anyway according to DSM-IV.

Have you looked at BIBIC? They may be a good way of geting together statement apperwork (they were for us) adn curently I udnerstand it costs £50 rather than the £700 it cost us; they take anything from dyslexia upwards in terms of lewvel of need, and a dx is not needed. they have a website so consider calling them?

Thank you. I really appreciate all your advice
I have been reading the bibic website and after a chat with DH, I have sent off our details on their contact form, so hopefully they will agree to see us!

I am also going to call the SALT tomorrow and ask her to write me the details of the funding she mentioned. I am not convinced she will do so, but at least I will have asked!!

"enhanced provision"??

hell we had enough problems getting the salt that is in ds statement and thats with legal rights to it so honestly do not take them at there word

Hello,
Sorry to drag up an old thread!
Have updated info...

Have found out which school DS has got into (our first choice, very pleased!) and also spoken again to the SALT.
I rang her and left a voicemail telling her which school DS will be going to so that she could apply for the funding and could she also drop me a letter/email with details of the funding so that I could look it up.
She rang me instead so no letter!! but got some more info over the phone.
It is called early years funding and the SENCO of DS's new school will be applying for it.
The SALT is gathering reports from herself and from the early years area SENCO and also his IEP from nursery together to give to the school SENCO so that she can apply for the extra funding. It should be used to help pay for someone/train up a current person to help DS with his SALT program during school hours.

Does this all likely? Thats all the info I could get!!

I have also spoken to Bibic who have agreed to see DS and we are booked in to visit in October (theres a long wait!). Thanks for the tip.

felix
She rang me instead so no letter!!

Without wanting to sound battle hardened and cynical - but I am - I knew from the first entry on this post that you would not get a SALT to put in writing that she thought 1:1 was required.

A SALT will not commit in writing that 1:1 is needed because the LA would probably fire her if she did! That's why she rang you - so there was no premennet record of her saying this. the reason being if / when you need to apply for a Statement you will have nothing in writing as evidence.

Sorry - these people are incredibly devious

Best wishes

Fel1x

Would also agree with wet august here; the SALT will not put the one to one in writing as it will cost her job if she did so!. Also a phone call means nothing as it is not in writing.

So they're going to put your DS on early years funding. Sigh. Its a cheap way forward.

Early years funding actually means bugger all as it is not ring fenced or legally binding.

The only way of getting proper SALT provision within school is to get it written into parts 2 and 3 of a Statement document.

Ignore the naysayers and kick polite but firm arse with these people. Do apply for the Statement from the LEA asap and do not delay making this application. They are acting very deviously here; it is all designed to put people off from applying for Statements.

You are your child's best - and only - advocate.