LEA!

[UltraMum]

Got to the annual review meeting today to be presented by the LEA with their propsed amendments to J's statement for transition - prior to any discussion taking place

!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

Basically they want to:

 

cut his support by 2 hours

 

make 3 hours of it subject to him approaching the LSA in the unit/resource (mainstream school with unit)

 

review his support after the first half term in discussion with J, his teachers and his LSA.

(Wot no chance of an appeal by parents to tribunal then!!!!)

 

J will just say "I don't want anyone ... "

 

They tried to make out that the unit will provide 12.5 hours of support for J - problem is that he has to choose to go there and he will want to be in the thick of things trying to play football etc and 'socialising' - not in the unit - as pointed out by our private EP

 

I only once - too

 

We refused to discuss the document, apart from the proposed targets for the next review period, as we haven't even seen the unit (newly built) so how on earth can we comment on it!!!!

 

[Bagpuss]

Oh UM......

 

Beggars belief

 

<'> <'> <'>

[Deedee]

Oh thats just awful I really feel for you.You get yourself all geared up for these meetings too I can't believe you weren't even consulted thats disgusting..Surely there must be some law they've broken I thought we always had the right to do a parental thingy (sorry word escapes me its been one of those days!!)

[helenl53]

Chapter nine of the Code Of Practice has the guidance on the Review meeting.

 

If they did not follow procedure, I would ask that it not be conisdered a review meeting until all parties have conformed to the Code of Practice. Reports circlualted 2 weeks prior etc.

 

Sorry don't know where to link it - but I think that 'up top' Nellie has put a link to the COP.

 

Sorry - rushing out for support group meeting.

 

HelenL

[UltraMum]

Surely there must be some law they've broken I thought we always had the right to do a parental thingy (sorry word escapes me its been one of those days!!)

 

There probably is! - waiting for the solicitor recommended by IPSEA on our last outing against the LEA to ring me.

 

We did a parental thingy! Basically been bypassed - oh well - roll on Feb 15th when we can apply to the tribunal!

[smiley]

OH FOR ...........

 

One word - nightmare!

 

Go get 'em hun

 

<'> <'>

[phoebe]

Go get 'em hun

Edited January 16, 2007 by phoebe

[Kathryn]

 

At least you are well prepared for the battle ahead, but you don't need this stress. <'>

 

K x

[UltraMum]

Thanks all - going to come out

 

They have already acted illegally by pre-emting the recommendations of the school after the annual review ... wait till they see my notes from the meeting!!!!

[Suze]

Hi, don,t want to be a big stinking fly in the ointment here but............just a thought.......here goes.......My son transferred to high school this last sept.I was very worried about this obviously and about finding the correct placement for him.At primary school he had 15 hrs and specialist literacy support.We knew he would,nt survive in a "normal" high school setting , but his needs did,nt require a specialist school either.We luckily got him in the only high school with a ASD unit attached in our area. When his statement came through regarding his yr 7 statement the lea had taken all his hours away , and put in its place , to be taught in a ASD unit setting.After much clarification they confirmed to me that he would in truth have ful time support, but not directly for him all the time , ie a LSA would support him and another student.This has worked really well as the emphasis isn,t on him all the time and he now works more independently .Ultra mum , I could,nt quite grasp what the lea want to provide for your son, do they want to just put him in high school as a mainstream student or in a ASD unit?...................I know that the vast majority of students in mainstream with a statement and quantified hours usually share a llsa with another student, this basically comes down to funding as the lea does,nt fund the high school enough, the school is ` expected to make up the difference.A friends son has 12hrs on his statement at high school, he actually gets more because he share the lsa with another student who has 12hrs also.............what would your ideal scenario for him be?.......................................my sons unit are incredible........could you get your son in this one mentioned?.....................................best of luck <'>

[UltraMum]

Hi Suze - thanks for the explanation

 

Ben on to the LEA officer this afternoon and that seems to be basically what they want to do - combine J's hours with those of another student ... they couldn't answer what would happen if there wasn't another suitable student or if that student left the school for some reason

 

There are 2 places a year 'in' the unit for ASD children in our LEA but J won't be one of those but it is to be made available as a 'place for ASD children with recreational/relaxing resources' but J wouldn't be able to take a friend along and most times prefers to be in the thick of the other children - where problems could easily arise (and do at the moment )

 

Arranged to go and see the unit next week ... meeting to discuss the provision after that

[Suze]

<'> I realise now why you are concerned , transition is a really worrying time,and quite rightly, a huge amount of change is involved.I really hope you can get the provision your son needs.