Help with getting a statement

[Chelle27]

Sorry everyone!

I'm :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: !!

Just got back from a meeting with the head at DDs school.

She is now in Year 6, and I have been pushing for a statement for her since Year 2.

She has cerebral palsy which affects the left hand side of her body.

She has constantly struggled with her numeracy, and now, as a consequence, I have been told that they are disapplying her from her numeracy SAT. Great.

When DD was diagnosed with CP we were told that the part of the brain that deals with maths (along with other things) was affected.

I just want her to get the help she needs in school, especially now as she goes up to secondary school this time.

I am just at the end of my rope, honestly. I don't know who I should be speaking to to get her the help she needs. She has been seen by the Ed Psych, and procedures have been put in place, but they are obviously failing because she cannot do the SAT.

I presume she will go to secondary school with a teacher level.

Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

[loadsapixiedust]

It sounds like the school and the LEA have been avoiding the issue of statementing for a long time. They are obviously aware of her special needs but have chosen not to provide any extra help.

The problem with numeracy is very common in kids with CP, especially those who cannot manipulate concrete materials in the early years and early intervention should have been a priority if this problem was noted then.

You need to press for the statementing to be done ASAP so that everything is in place before she moves to secondary school. The process can take a while and then any special provision needs to be put in place. Our ED Psych was very helpful, Scope can also help with advice on the process and private assessments if you feel that would help and we found www.ipsea.org.uk (http://www.ipsea.org.uk/) helpful, especially if you need to take things further.

Disapplying her from the SAT could be classed as a special provision, but if you feel she should be sitting it then that's something for discussion with the school as there may be extra help allowed for the tests.

Sorry I can't offer more help, but our Scottish system is different and it's years since DS was statemented, I'm sure things have changed a lot since then. It's important for you to get correct and up to date advice.

[No1 tinkfan]

I work in a school and we have just been through a lengthy process to obtain a statement for a boy in year 6 who is unable to do anything on his own. It was refused. It seems that if the child is violent or their is a behaviour issue they stand more of a chance. Statements these days are few and far between. It's disgusting and makes a mockery of our children's education

[BarryandCaron]

When DS1 did his Key Stage 2 SATS he was allowed a helper with him as his reading was so poor, maybe your DD would qualify for this.

As for a statement could your daughter's Consultant request a full assessment for a statement, this is what happened with DS2. He was 3 at the time and I was devastated about this happening.

Caron

[Chelle27]

Thanks for the advice so far everyone.

Lynn, I have read the information on the site you provided - it was very helpful.

No 1 Tinkfan - I'm sorry that your little boy was refused the help he deserves - it certainly makes you think what's going on?

Caron - I have a meeting with DD's orthopedic surgeon next week - unfortunately her consultant paediatrician discharged her when she was 6 - I will ask him to re-refer her back.

Why do they make things so difficult for us to get the help we so desperately need?

[disney dave]

just keep at them .... it took me from reception to year 5 for dd to get stament for dyslexia. it a hard slog and the education syatem is'nt easy so keep at it. !! :wave:

[Sheeps68]

Chelle,

I dont know where you live but please look on the internet for partnership with parents and get in touch. They can help you through this nightmare of a mess. By the way as a parent you are able to make formal request to your LEA for official assessment. If the school are on board it is easier but it sounds like they are not so you can do it anyway. If you happen by chance to be in Surrey please get in touch via PM and I can help you further! Just helping another parent do the requests etc. Hang on in there and fight for your child. Schools often dont like the statementing process so will try to avoid it on occasions as it does create them a lot of paperwork.

[Britmummybites]

You do have to keep fighting.

My eldest 2 have got statements and after i come back of holiday i will put in another request for statory assessment for my 4 year old.

The more professionals that you have got backing you the better.

[mazz]

here's a link you will find useful, it has timescales and everything on there

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/AdvancedSearch/Searchresults/index.htm?fullText=special+educational+needs

and then there's IPSEA for advice (link above)

and if the system completely fails you and you need to complain about your authority there is the LGO http://www.lgo.org.uk/

nobody should have to get to LGO stage but sadly there any many who have to take complaints to this level to get a system that works :angry:

i've had a case accepted for investigation by the LGO and there's no going back for us now :confused2 it's scary but the gentleman dealing with us is great and really understanding

[Chelle27]

Thanks so much everyone for the advice.

I am going to try and get an appt with the SENCO tomorrow to have some details explained to me, and then I'll ring the LEA.

Feel as if I've been run over by a steam roller at the moment!

[Sheeps68]

This site may help you all find your local PWP There job is simply to support parents in statementing issueshttp://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/

[BarryandCaron]

here's a link you will find useful, it has timescales and everything on there

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/AdvancedSearch/Searchresults/index.htm?fullText=special+educational+needs

and then there's IPSEA for advice (link above)

and if the system completely fails you and you need to complain about your authority there is the LGO http://www.lgo.org.uk/

nobody should have to get to LGO stage but sadly there any many who have to take complaints to this level to get a system that works :angry:

i've had a case accepted for investigation by the LGO and there's no going back for us now :confused2 it's scary but the gentleman dealing with us is great and really understanding

Good Luck with your case Maz. We had to go to Tribunal for DS2 in 1998, it was very stressful and hard work preparing for it but was definitely worth it as the board found in our favour.

Caron

[whambar]

I think you should ask the headteacher to apply for your dd an assessment of special needs and if they give excuses why not to then write a letter to your local LEA and ask for one yourself(which is a self referral) obviously it is easier for the headteacher to do this as you get their backing but if not then I'm afraid you could be in for a long battle, we did a self referral and after nearly 3 years of assessment and tribunals our ds now has a statement.

[lotti]

my suggestion would be to contact your local mp and explain the situation to see if he/she can help, my friend did this recently and is now going through the process of being statemented its not garanteed but it has helped

[Suzieq]

I would arrange a meeting with the SENCO at the high school she will be attending. Get them on your side, and dont stop fighting until you get what you want......... It is soooo wrong that we have to fight for it, but it will be worth it I promise.

My 16 year old son has CP and is at collage now, he passed all of his 10 GCSE's but would never of got through them without the help of his classroom assistant.

KEEP FIGHTING

PM me if you need to

[mazz]

Good Luck with your case Maz. We had to go to Tribunal for DS2 in 1998, it was very stressful and hard work preparing for it but was definitely worth it as the board found in our favour.

Caron


thanks Caron

i've got a statement, no problems with that at all, the LGO are involved because the admissions policy was not followed for my childs move to secondary school so he had no transistion period :angry:
we found out he got a place on the 4th July instead of march

Chelle, the first direct gov link should allow you to open a window direct to your authority to ask for an assessment, not sure if you have a social worker but if you have i would ask her/him to attend meetings with you to offer support especially if they know your child well

good luck :)