SA refusal

[claw3]

My request for SA was refused and im appealing.

I wrote to the LA basically stating 'I am writing as I wish to challenge the provision which is being undertaken through delegated funding. This in my view is and has been ineffective. I would like to arrange a meeting with you and use this to support this view with evidence and examples'

School are not backing my request and arranged a meeting with me for 4th May to discuss ds's 'progress'

LA phoned me today to say they have spoken to school and will be attending the meeting on 4th May as i had requested a meeting.

Is this normal procedure?

no idea we received a letter todays saying they are not going to assess my son as the school says he is reaching his targets, i to have no idea what to do!

I don't know what the official line is (LA has always agreed to assess dd1, it's just their findings we hve issues with!) but ime,the LA can do whatever they like.

I suppose it is vaguely time-efficient to have you all at onemeeting together. I hope it all starts coming together for yuo soon

trace always follow appeal procedure, often just stalling- and try sos!sen

claw try and get a rep to go with you or you feel severely outnumbereed

Why are school not supporting you?

p.s. the irony is not loston me that we are advising each other on different threads!

Apassion yes

School are not supporting me because they do not understand ds's needs or difficulties.

That is why i requested a SA! Not sure how this meeting is going to work, school will say he is doing fine, they have cured him!

How frustrating! What other professionals are involved?

Dietitian, feeding clinic, SALT, CAMHS, OT, eye specialist, incontinence service, ASD Assessment service, Paed.

In school ds has had SALT, OT, TAMHS, ASD Outreach go into school to assess/help.

Silverfrog, i could understand a meeting at the school with LA, if school were backing me. But i requested a meeting with LA to put my case, not for the school to put their case forward iyswim.

I had SA refused as well. I did not have any meetings with the LA - they basically ignored me until I'd appealed and then wrote once to say they wouldn't oppose the appeal. School were backing me in my case.

I have to admit that I prefer most of my dealings with LA to be done in writing/email. I would be careful about what you give away during the meeting and definitely not agree to anything - ask for time to consider if they suggest anything. Bring someone with you - anyone, to take notes and provide support. Send a copy of the minutes to LA and school afterwards.

I would see it as a chance to gauge the LA/school's position but not to expect anything useful to come out of it. Start the appeal procedure and put your energy into that rather than trying to convince a school that clearly isn't listening.

Thanks Sugar, my tribunal is prepared and will be sent shortly regardless.

My understanding is there is a long wait in between lodging tribunal and actually being heard, so thought i would keep a dialogue open with LA in the meantime.

School are saying he is progressing, im arguing that he is not and have provided evidence and examples.

I dont see the point of getting myself and school in the same room to disagree. I dont need to convince school, i need to convince the LA that they need to assess.

No doubt they will gang up on me and try to convince me that his needs are being met. I am feeling a bit nervous now!

Sorry to hear this Claw. If possible take somebody with you for note taking. If school say he is progressing and you state he's not then what evidence do they have to prove that? Try to stay calm - You are a lot further along the line than me but I am lucky in that my school are supportive. I can't imagine how difficult it would be if we didn't have their support. Best of luck.

Pouffe, definitely i always take minutes, as the school do not. I then send a copy to the school, they never dispute them, but always make a point of stating that these are MY minutes!

A few examples

IEP from November 2009 lists the same concerns as February 2010. Teacher report in March highlight more concerns.

Targets were set which didnt match his difficulty ie social communication or self care were listed as concerns, yet target was to count to 10! Any targets that were related to their concerns were not met.

In November 2009 when ds was receiving group help 4 times a week, teacher stated in report to SALT that ds could 'focus well'. In teacher report dated March 2010 stated 'ds needs a high level of support in the classroom and frequent reminders to maintain focus.

Despite various reports stating that ds has difficulty understand and following instructions and supposedly having strategies in place. Teacher wrote in response to LA 'At times he disregards instructions from staff. He sulks and cries and takes himself to the back of the carpet when REPRIMANDED!!

He was sent home from school on PE day (he gets very anxious)because he pulled out his eyelashes to the extent of making his eye swollen, weeping and i had to take him to GP. I have letter from GP stating that his eye was swollen etc from pulling out his eyelashes.