starting down the statement route

[negligentmummy]

I have just had the statement form for my dd1 (3.6)and am stumped on the "parental advice" continuation sheets. Where to start and how much to include- do they just want me to reiterate everything written in the assessments by SALT/ paediatrician/ education psychologist etc with some hyperbole thrown in for good measure?

And while I'm posting- what is it with all the assessments anyway? they seem to state the obvious about where we are but do nothing to indicate where we might want to get there or how to do it...

all advice gratefully received.

Firstly, you don't have to use their sheets at all. You can write a report for them, and title it 'Parental Advice'. It makes it easier, because they may have a very small box for you when you want to write lots in one area, and a very big box when one sentence would do!

You should have been given guidelines on what they want to know about, but it is your advice. It can go along with what the professionals say, or it can dispute their opinions, whatever. It is your advice as the expert on your DS.

Definitely don't limit yourself to their forms. Write as much as you need to.

Keep in mind your audience. Your advice will be attached to the statement from now on (if the LA decides to issue one). So that means any school who might consider your child for entry, a tribunal panel if you need to appeal, and possibly other professionals (although they mostly scan the statement itself rather than all the appendices).

i typed about 9 a4 pages for mine!! i also sent with my advice a copy of an ot report as they wouldnt ask ot for a report as they had recently stopped seeing him, anything you send they have to read and include so if you have anyone like we did that they wont ask for a report from send one anyway!! if you want me to email you what i wrote i can, but ds is 4 and a half and has autism so i guess it depends what situation youre in whether it would be any help or not?

thanks meerkats- it would be really useful to see what someone else wrote- if only for an idea of what to include- I have been warned that it is all very political and getting it right is v important but quite what right is eludes me!
I'm guessing i set out what i think they should be providing and justify it with her problems.
i.e I would like a SALT sent into the school because she cannot speak at all, and that it would be helpful to have a classroom assistant as she cannot follow teacher direction in groups- she responds much better to one on one attention.
my NHS SALT has never done a report- are they obliged to ask her to prepare one or should I? I only have 29 days to prepare everything (now about 25 days I guess)- and with holidays approaching everyone seems to have their hands rather full!

negligentmummy - could you give an idea of your child's condition? I am also willing to share my submission, but don't know if it is relevant - my DD has a brain malformation, GDD & Epilepsy.

she has a severe phonological disorder and/or verbal dyspraxia- so mostly speech orientated but with some gross motor skill difficulties and sensory integration problems. still waiting on formal diagnosis and OT input...

Well if you'd like to, you are very welcome to see mine? lou031205 at gmail dot com

have just sent you an email- thank you heaps!

Replied

The LEA had several headings about which we were asked to write about.e.g Communication, Cognitive Abilities etc.. We wrote loads for each about our experience of dd and what we felt she would need in school.. She starts in Sept and it's still not resolved but we're getting there..

Have to say though the important reports are the therapist/paed etc.. Everything they put in the statement has to be packed up by a report done by a health professional or clinician so it might be good to sort of brief them first if you can - about what you'll be hoping they put in.

Specifics are key too so if you feel she'd be unsafe at playtimes say or will not be able to access the curriculum adequately without 1-1 then say so and hopefully you may be able to twist the arm of a professional to agree with you. Also being specific re SALT stuff, so that you say something like.. you want a SALT programme in school with fortnightly sessions from a qualifed SALT for the first two terms ( and not just someone less skilled carrying out programme written by a SALT for example..)

Without wanting to put you off - we rejected the provisional statement and made amendments to it. Most of which were not taken on board because things had not been spelt out in other reports. Reasons for rejecting our changes were described as ' Parental opinion' which kind of sums up our experience so far..

We're still battling.. However - Portage and nursery and SALT all agreed to amend their original reports in our support which has been really helpful..

Sorry if that's bit confusing and too much info but very tired tonight! Good luck with it all.

hi negligentmummy I am now doing the statement for my dd and am stuck on the same bit filled the rest of the form in quite easily but when they say what do I think her special needs are Idont know what to put I am not very good at wording things and explaining myself very well. My dd sounds like she has very simular delays, to your dd. Good luck with filling in your form I must finish off my last page tommoro.

DJGANGEL
Was jut reading what you had written to negligentmummy and it has helped me too thankyou very much, I will put some of that in our statement Im not very good at filling in forms but so want to get it right for dd.

Hope you dont have to battle for what you need much longer
From dounut

are there any independent agencies that are able to help with these things? or at least look over an early draft?
Big thanks for help so far!! and good luck to those in the same/ similar boat!

Some LAs send out list of questions www.teachernet.gov.uk/_doc/4613/Toolkit%208%20Text.pdf from the SEN Toolkit for writing Parental Advice.

You can ask your local Parent Partnership to look over your draft, or call a charity like IPSEA, SOS SEN or ACE.

To be honest though, the parental advice tends to carry much less weight than professional reports. E.g. you can write in your advice that your child needs SALT input, but unless a SALT/EP also says that, it's unlikely to go into the statement.

You have the right to ask your LA to seek advice from other agencies, like SALT. It's best for any reports to come directly from them than added to your own advice.

If you don't already have a copy of the SEN Code of Practice, download a copy from the link and you can also phone for a paper copy too. It explains how LAs should respond to SEN, including how they should go about writing a statement. It's worth quoting from it to show the LA you're aware of your rights.

SEN Toolkit Guidelines for writing Advice

starting page 4... this is really tough going... and I wish I'd kept a better record of everything- milestones etc.

Do ask yourself the question of where you see your DD, too. Mainstream with support, a Speech & Language Unit, or a Special School?

You need to use you PA to 'steer' the LA. So generally speaking, if you want Special school, make sure you flag up strongly any behavioural issues that would disrupt other children, any health and safety concerns, etc, and emphasise the gross motor issues.

If you want a S&L unit, bang on and on about how her communication hinders everyday function, and that the gross motor needs attention but the main problem is S&L.

If you want mainstream with support, emphasise the importance of good peer-models for her social development and S&L progression.

Do you see what I mean? You can give the same information, but word it so that a clear message is given.