Elefan Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Hi, I have today found out that our LEA will not conduct a Statutory Assessment on my daughter as she is not currently in school. They feel they cannot assess her when she isn't actually able to go there and have the assessments/reviews done on her in the school environment. She has acute anxieties, etc, in addition to her ASD and has been unable to go at all since the beginning of the year. She has a home tutor from the LEA 3 times a week for 2 hours at a time. They have said they will adopt the Note in Lieu issued by another authority in 2004, in the event that she does return and will provide all the support the school needs to do this (including financial support). Has anyone had a Stat Assess done on their child when they have been out of school? Bid,..I think this was the case for you, wasn't it? If so, did all the relevant specialists conduct their assessments in the home environment? Thank you for your help. Very best wishes to you all in your struggles. Elefan xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Hi Elefan, Sorry to hear that your LEA are giving you grief right now. I'm sure Bid will be along at some point, but I can tell you in the meantime that L was assessed while she was at home: in fact she'd been at home 6 months by the time the Statutory Assessment got underway, and there was never any question of her returning to mainstream school - everyone involved in the assessment understood that. In fact, knowing that Bid's son had undergone the entire Statutory Assessment while at home, gave me confidence that we could push for the same. It's only the EP observation which would normally happen at school. In our case the EP was quite happy to visit L at home, speak to me at length, and do a few psychological tests. The school just did their report on the basis of L's school history. Social Services had already done an initial assessment at home at out request, and just sent that in. The only appointment I actually took L to was with the Medical Officer, (she was very stressed as she rarely left the house at that time) and the MO told me afterwards that he would have been happy to come and see us at home had I requested it. The LEA didn't mention this though! We were also visited at home by someone from the autism advisory service - she did a report (at my request, not the LEA's) and L's home tutor also did a report, again at my request. There's nothing in law or in the COP to say a child has to be assessed at school. K x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Flora Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Elefun, My son's been off school since March and had 5 hours LEA provided home tuition a week since April. Since the end of April he's also been undergoing statutory assessment, so I don't know where your LEA got the idea they can't carry one out when your child isn't in school! The EP came and observed my son during his hour of tuition as part of his contribution to stat ass... your LEA could do the same I'm sure. Flora Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Hi Elefan, Lovely to see you back! Exactly the same as Kathryn, but then we are the same LEA. My son had his stat. assessment when he was out of school. The EP visited us at home, and wrote her report based on that session. She even brought the report back to us herself so that she could make any ammendments that we wanted there and then on her laptop. SW visited and submitted his report. Again, same person from the autism advisory service visited us at home, too and also submitted a report. His school submitted their report based on his time in school and the few strategies they had implemented. The home tutors also did reports, which I think I included in my submission. He was seen by the LEA medical officer, for which we did have to go to the local hospital. What does ACE and/or IPSEA say about this?? I wonder if it counts as a blanket policy?? Good luck <'> <'> Bidx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elefan Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Hi, I think the reason the LEA can't help at the moment is because she was only in their authority for one term (Sept-December) before she dropped out. No one knows her well enough. She also inhibits with strangers and pushes away the meetings with those people who come too close!! I have to say that the school and the LEA have so far been completely supportive and on side, which is a breath of fresh air from the area we moved from. Please keep the thoughts coming,... Thank you for the replies. <'> Elefan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Elefan Report post Posted June 7, 2007 Hiya Bid! Thanks for the welcome back. Hope things are looking up for you and yours. Thank you Kathryn and Flora, too. I knew I had heard of such examples on the forum. It didn't hit me until after I had the phone call and the news about the panels decision though! Incidentally, it was a school request for an assessment, rather than a parental one. We supported them with evidence and info though. Flora,...I will keep everything crossed for you. Despite a letter from CAMHS to SS, it would appear that they have said they don't think they can offer any input/support either! Hey ho,... <'> Elefan xx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
