Statutory Assessment

[debs40]

I'm wanting to keep this brief as I'm without dx/OT report etc yet (to follow in two weeks) but do you think this would be enough:

I believe that (child?s name)'s special educational needs are as follows:

DS has complex needs
(i) list sensory problems and effect (e.g. proprioception)
(ii) list coordination problems and effect (e.g. handwriting)
(iii) list social communication problems (e.g. play, going into school, anxiety, mixing with peers)
(iv) problems with working memory/social communication creates a barrier to curriculum despite high IQ - results are av erage

My reasons for believing that the school cannot on their own make the provision required to meet my child?s needs are:
(i) needs 1:1 for OT recommendations - report to follow e.g. writing - report to follow
(ii) requires specialist SALT input - report to follow
(iii)requires 1:1 for sensory issues to enable access to curriculum (e.g. support for lunchtime, school trips, breaks, time out)
(iv) requires 1:1 for social communication e.g. supported play, help with changes to routine, help with going in to the class, consider also social communication issues which affect academic achievement e.g. reading, explanation, use of expressive language
(v)requires 1:1 support for work on independence because social communciation, coordination
(vi) requires assistance to ensure ongoing attendance at school

What? no don't quit.

I just see you two together so much people might start to talk!

TBH your 'debates' are fantastic.

I haven't looked at provision. The fact is that the division between SA and statement is an anomoly in practice. Probably has SEN and probably needs a statement (the test for SA) in practice means: prove your kid needs a statement or you won't get an SA.

So, no, what I am saying is, he probably needs a statement because of his needs which are set out in 'x' reports and which establish they are of a level not likely to be met by delegated SEN provision .

Star, me and Debs always seem to be in similar situations, either Debs is just one step ahead of me or vice versa. We were at Bibic at the same time and even our dx dates are a day apart!

I do try to help Debs if i can, but it usually results in me learning a thing or two

Debs, i get the feeling this thread has helped me, more than you! I have just scribbled down the bit about non specific TA help to keep ds included etc, i hadnt thought that far ahead yet, thanks

Debs/Claw, excuse me for butting in but just wanted to say that as I am about to complete my 'information from parents' form this is really useful. I have a couple of queries though. The form states that 'IF the assessment goes ahead we will collect reports from school,EP, health professionals etc.' So presumably I should send them the latest EP report even though she's in the same building? Also Ados test is not due until Aug/Sept and we have not had any report from Paed although she suspects AS or ASD.
Feel that I don't have enough evidence to send them as only just started with medical experts - is this going to be a problem? Would add that request for SA by previous school was refused 4 years ago though so presumably this will show them that problems are longstanding.

Oh look, - you had a child. Now you are a family of SAers!

Thanks a lot Star! I am probably older than Debs & Claw

Morning Fighting or should i say love child

Information from parents form, is part of the SA request? I didnt fill this out, i used IPSEA's standard letter.

I sent copies of all reports and quoted these in my SA request letter. I also mentioned in this letter that ds was being assessed for ASD and how likely the outcome of a ASD dx was.

I think EP reports carry quite a bit of weight with the LA. You can also use other evidence ie IEP's and failing to meet targets, lack of progress etc, etc.

Establish your grounds for SA and the legal criteria and go with it. I received lots of helpful advice on here and from Grandmother Star

Good luck.

I got a form asking for Agreement to Assess after I sent the Ipsea letter in. It asked for details of other professionals involved and said I could make a written summary of my views.

It gave a further opportunity to elaborate on why DS needed a statement - I assumed all LAs do this, which is why the Ipsea letter can be kept brief. debs - given that you have six weeks to deal with the further information and explanations, I don't think you need to worry about the details now but just send a letter to trigger the timeline. Remember that no day in August is a working day for SENDIST.

You also get another opportunity later if they agree to assess, to give Parental Advice which is the appendix to the statement.

Fighting, sorry also forgot to add you can list professionals who are involved in your ds's care in your SA request, who you would like them to contact for more info ie Paed (even if you dont have reports)

Thanks sugar and Mum. The questions I have to answer include what are your concerns about childs education?,why have you asked for Sa?,how has the school helped your child? and how do you think your child can best be helped at school?.
EP report states that school are gathering information to inform a decision about whether his needs can be met at SA+ or whether to make a request for stat assessment. Hasn't said if she recommends this!

Fighting, sorry im a bit confused. Is this your 1st letter/form to request an SA or have they agreed to assess?

I didnt fill out a form. I just wrote to the LA requesting SA and they replied saying no basically 6 weeks later.

Once they agreed to assess i then received a form to fill out.

Claw - I have sent the Ipsea letter and they have said they are initially seeking info from school and 'other professionals' to help them decide whether to proceed with assessment and wanted to hear more about our concerns. If they do agree to this we then have an opportunity to provide more details.
Sapoke to senco today - she'd seen my request letter and was very impressed. Said it shows I mean business and if it was up to her she would agree to assess straight away! She is going to copy it as an example to other parents. Think she was surprised I was so on the ball so I said that I do a lot of research and have 'contacts' who have gone through the process and are very knowledgeable .

claw, it sounds like fightingtheLA has three stages in providing information:

1. Sending Ipsea letter - minimal information and possibly some reports

1. Additional information form from LA, asking for more details and names of professionals

1. If agreement to assess, Parental Advice (appendix to statement).

This was also the case in my LA - it sounds like you didn't need to go through stage 2 (perhaps because you already gave sufficient information when sending the Ipsea letter). It sounds like fightingtheLA is on stage 2 now.

I had assumed that debs would also have an 'additional information form' sent to her, which is why I think it's fine for the Ipsea letter to be skeletal at this stage.

fighting All I can say is try to be as detailed as possible in answering the questions, back them up with any evidence and quotes that you have. If they provide a form to write your answers, ignore it and type it out instead. Put down the names of any professionals who will be supportive. Be careful of naming anyone who might not give helpful information.

Thanks for the advice Sugar. Yes,I am not going to use their form as the spaces to write in are too small! I haven't come across any professionals who have been unsupportive yet so maybe am just lucky.

Oh right Sugar, that makes perfect sense. I sent copies of reports at stage 1. They replied refusing SA. I then wrote to them stating i was disappointed they had not contacted professionals. They wrote back stating the reports i had already sent were very detailed and they didnt need to.

So you are right we went from stage 1 to stage 3 and missed a step.

They have agreed to assess now, and are now asking for stage 2.

Seems they have done it arse upwards!