SEN & Extra Exam Time Assessment Question?

[RockinHippy]

Sorry for asking in here, but I've asked on the SEN board & not really had an answer, so I was hoping someone here might be able to help.

After an initial glitch, DD has now had the assessment part done for this & has been accepted for extra time for her GCSEs etc. Problem is I'm a bit stumped as I've been told I have to submit a recent consultants letter to support this application. This is nigh on impossible in the time that I have to produce it as DD is no longer under a consultant. She was discharged to GP, OT & Hydrotherapy Care. GP & OT will both happily support the application & I have old letters that would support it anyway. I do have old consultants reports too.

I was surprised that a consultant letter is needed, as this sort of thing has normally been her OT, who has been involved with DD for years & knows the problems she deals with well. I'm also thinking consultants are very busy, do this isn't something they would be happy to deal with, when others can & know DD much better.

The one reply I did get on my SEN board post said that they had only needed to produce a recent GP letter, but that was last year & they don't know if the system has recently changed.

Would any if you know if the system has changed recently, or if an OT or GP letter will still do

Thank you

Sorry not sure. Maybe look up the JCQ regulations or call them or call the school SENco?

Hi,

I'm a SENCO. The JCQ regs don't allow GP letters as evidence anymore. There is a list of people who can provide evidence. Not sure if an OT is on that list as I don't have the book in front of me, but I can look when I'm in work tomorrow and let you know if that helps?

I should add that the regs state evidence has to be within 26 months of the exam or from yr 9 onwards depending upon which access arrangements you are applying for and on what grounds.

Thank you that's helpful

& yes please Buzzzzy that list would be really helpful.

So far I've been told it has to be a consultants letter & it has to be year 9, but I'm really hoping there is something else I can submit as the consultant letter is a problem, not least because we had to ditch the last one as DD hated her, plus they tried to block the treatment that got DD out of a wheelchair & walking again. They've told another parent in the same situation that it's a placebo & nothing more. Thankfully our GP disagreed & ignored the consultants letter basically accusing me of looking for things that are not there - I wasn't, consultant was ignorant of NICE guidelines & had decided to stick her nose in something that wasn't her area of expertise. Very arrogant & I hate the idea of having to ask her for help, especially as I've just daughter a complaint 😐

Hi,

Pg 26 of the JCQ regs say that for medical conditions the following are acceptable as evidence:
. a letter from CAMHS, a HCPC registered psychologist, a hospital consultant, a psychiatrist; or
• a letter from the Local Authority Specialist Service, Local Authority Sensory Impairment Service or Occupational Health Service†; or
• a letter from a Speech and Language Therapist (SaLT); or
• a Statement of Special Educational Needs relating to the candidate’s secondary education, or an Education, Health and Care Plan, which confirms the candidate’s disability.

It does need to be from Yr 9 though.

I hope this helps.

Sorry to hear about the trouble you had with the consultant.

Oh the † linked to this statement at the bottom of the page:

† For example, an Occupational Therapist specialising in Children and Young People Services, learning disability, mental health.

That's brilliant, thank you!!

DDs OT is the one who knows her best, she also knows the condition well & how it affects DD, along with a couple of teachers, she was one of the ones who suggested we apply & offered to help in any way she can

Glad I could help!