Campaigning to stop specialist pre-school closure

[MichelleW]

I was hoping to get my youngest son a place at a specialist pre-school for children with speech language and communication disorders.

 

My eldest son attended for a year and made amazing progress and was able to go into mainstream infant school at 4, so I was hoping my youngest would be offered the same oppotunity as the so called "speech therapy" he has been offered so far is not sufficient. I have been told there is nothing else available for him, except "maybe" a one-off outreach type session at his current nursery.

 

I have just found out that the the special pre-school will be closing at the end of term, along with another special pre-school in the area. The staff of the pre-schools were only informed on Friday, and the speech therapy department also only found out Thursday or Friday last week. There was no public consultation, and as far as I am aware parents have not been consulted. Pre-schoolers did not require a statement to attend these special pre-schools, they just needed a referral from SALT.

 

So, what I'd like to know is: Does anyone have any experience fighting to keep nurseries/pre-schools from closure? What is the best way for me to help prevent the closures?

 

I have already contacted my local MP. I'm trying to get hold of the "decision makers" at the council offices/ probably LEA to find out more information, but I expect to get fobbed off - the secretary told me that "alternative provisions would be put in place".

 

So is my next step to go to the press? As my child is not at the pre-school, do I need to get support from parents of children there already, and how to I go about this?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Edited July 4, 2007 by MichelleW

[Paula]

Although ive no experiance of preschools being thretened with closure my sons special school was threatened with closure around 4 years ago.

 

All the parents were informed well in advance.We were told to write letters to our Mp,this happened along with the teachers and staff of the school doing the same.Basically every body kids,parents,supporters of the school ect kicked of big time.Told the newspapers ect highlighted the sort of kids that attended and basically said whats going to happen where will they go and how it would effect families kids everyone.

 

We won the school remained open and has recently been refurbished and is going strong.

 

We were lucky.

 

Good luck.

[pumpkinpie]

I would definetley go to the press and raise as much awareness and fuss as possible. I find it hard to take in staff had so little notice though what about the legal recrucussions re employment rights?

[MichelleW]

In 2004 the special autism school where the pre-school was originally located was amalgamated with another school, after public consultation and going against public (i.e. staff and parental) wishes for the schools to remain seperate. The Pre-school occupied rooms in part of the main school, but was not actually directly linked to the school as far as I can remember. The pre-school was not mentioned initially at the public consultatuion, but was later covered and it was supposed to continue.

 

Now the amalgamated school has to provide for children aged 3-16, so the LEA will probably say that cover is provided for by the school - however that means obtaining a statement before the child is 3! Which I am guessing is almost impossible in this area unless a child is severely autistic.

 

The LEA may have contacted parents, but it seems unlikely, as the staff I spoke to mentioned that they had only just taken on a new child 2 weeks ago!

 

And both 2 seperate sources ( SALT department and school) both said they had no idea until last week - though I had an idea (through the grapevine form Pre-school advisory team at County Council ) that the pre-schools future "was uncertain".

 

I'm not sure if I have the energy to start a campaign when I have the boys to deal with as well as working 5 days a week!

But I feel quite strongly about it and feel that I need to do something Been wanting to use that one for ages!!!!

[MichelleW]

Thanks for your replies - I'll look into getting the press and local TV involved as soon as I can. I didn't know whether I should wait until I've heard from MP.

 

The member of staff I spoke to yesterday said that "outreach" positions had been mentioned - I guess they could be made redundant without it being illegal.

[MichelleW]

Updated

 

After contacting local newspaper and Meridian TV, I am now being interviewed on Monday - so may end up on TV Monday evening! I'm nervous already and wondering what have I let myself in for? Starting to wonder how many people in government I'm going to annoy - and will they remember me when I go through the statementing process?

Edited July 6, 2007 by MichelleW

[Kathryn]

Good luck Michelle and well done! Keep us posted on events.

 

Hopefully they will remember you - and recoil in fear!

 

K x

[MichelleW]

Well, this afternoon I was interviewed and hopefully it will be on the 6 O'clock news on Meridian/ITV. I'm not sure what the teacher at the school said in her interview, but my interviewer said that they had received a statement from the council - they said that children with speech language and communication disorders do not need a special pre-school with trained teachers with experience. They can go to mainstream school as they are and will be just fine and that the teachers in mainstream school will be able to deal with them! Not sure what the exact words are though- am hoping to hear the exact statement tomorrow on the news.

 

I'm still waiting to hear from newspaper. Not sure what to do next!

[Guest Lya of the Nox]

- they said that children with speech language and communication disorders do not need a special pre-school with trained teachers with experience. They can go to mainstream school as they are and will be just fine and that the teachers in mainstream school will be able to deal with them!

 

 

ahh the joys of our county:(

xx

[MichelleW]

What also worries me, is that with the observed increase in ASD, more autistic children with speech delay will go into school at 4-5 not being able to communicate. Along with non-autistic children who just have a speech, language or communication disorder - how many children are going to go into school and be perceived to have behavior problems due to not being able to communicate?

 

It was the head of the special pre-school who confirmed my suspicion that J was autistic and she referred him to the second paediatrician who made the initial diagnosis. If it wasn't for her experience and knowledge, he may have gone into school just labeled as lazy, ignorant ( does not respond unless he hears his name!) day-dreamer etc.

 

Whereas my youngest has an aggressive side and frustration will make this worse and he'll be looked at as just being aggressive, naughty and defiant!

 

Another thought I had today: if children no-longer need these special pre-schools because they can cope in school, then why have the schools been running for so many years and have a waiting list of referred children? Are all the teachers in infant schools suddenly so well trained that they can cope with kids that can't talk or communicate?

[MichelleW]

Well, it doesn't look like I made the news tonight! Maybe tomorrow - J is now obsessed with making movies. And he was really upset this morning as he expected to be on the morning news.

 

I have had a response from M.P. - he will be making representations to County Council. And he is happy to keep me updated! However, I have spoken to another parent ( whose son went to said pre-school) and he didn't have much faith in MP and suggesting contacting another one!

 

Will keep you updated

[MichelleW]

Was about to start a no. 10 petition, but it seems i was pipped to the post by Heather Atta (possibly head teacher at pre-school) so I am attaching the link to her petition

 

Petition

 

hope it works! the link I mean!

 

here is her description - which confirms what I was told by Meridian TV interviewer yesterday - that the county council think kids will cope!

 

Quoted from petition ( school name blanked out) "******** Pre-school has been successfully running for 18 years to help almost 400 children with speech,language and communication difficulties. Due to their specific needs being met most of the children we have helped have made a successful transition into mainstream school. From Friday 29th June we were informed by phone that our beloved unit will close. We have been told future children with these difficulties will have to cope in school and that their needs will be met there..!?!? PLEASE HELP.."

 

update: I've edited link and it now seems to work - for me anyway!

 

further comment! oops I've edited it before reading what Baddad had written - so thanks for fixing it for me last night! Hope I didn't mess it up again!!!

Edited July 11, 2007 by MichelleW

[summertime]

may be me but can't get the link to work

[David Matthew Baker]

It has managed to get the http:// bit twice. It could do with editing to remove the first lot. Link should read http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Pre-School/

 

You can remove this post once it is updated if you want mods.

Edited July 10, 2007 by baddad
orig link fixe, but two are better than one! L&P BD :D

[MichelleW]

Looks like I'm about to be on Meridian news tonight!!! Should be on in a minute on ITV

[Kathryn]

It's not our area, but I found the report online, Michelle - you did great, well done!

 

K x

[MichelleW]

Thanks - But they did edit a lot from my interview and also from Claire's interview but some coverage is still better than none!

[llisa32]

Second that! - well done you for having the courage to speak up...I can normally talk for endgland but don't know that I could've managed to look as composed as you did! - in fact I doubt it lots!

 

Well done - lets hope they take some notice

[David Matthew Baker]

Have you got a direct link to the report or easy instructions how to get there. That said I think the player wasn't working properly when I tried. The stories opening in the player had nothing to do with the topics I was selecting. Congrats on getting on the news though. Hopefully that will raise the profile a bit for you. Good luck, David.

[MichelleW]

I had trouble getting it to myself. Everytime I tried it seemed to be in a different place, and I couldn't seem to find a direct link. I'll try again later when I'm not supposed to be working!!!

[Moonshine]

I was absolutely gob-smacked when I heard this. I think Kent are going backwards with regards to helping our children. It is outrageous that they are closing a provision that can give children a positive first step to education. Getting their provision right early on makes such a difference and the LEA just dont get it - all they think about is money!!! They should be increasing the amount of specialist provision in the county instead of deceasing it.

 

We are having a battle to get our son the help he needs - have just been turned for statutory assessment even though he is having a horrendous time at school. He is being restrained numerous times a day, has had to be put on Risperidone to try and get him calmer at school and has had a fixed term exclusion. The biggest problem is that as good as the staff are at his school they don't have the experience and knowledge to deal with him. I am lucky that his school have been so supportive as most schools would have permanently excluded him by now but without a statement he would end up in another mainstream school with exactly the same problem.

 

Sorry rant over but I am so fed up with having to fight every step of the way. Day to day life is hard enough at times without having to take on the local authority as well.

 

I have recently written to our local MP regarding the whole education system.

[MichelleW]

Hi Moonshine,

 

looks like if I want to get my son into a similar pre-school, the nearest one will be Dover!

 

Also wanted to say a very big thank you to everyone who signed my petition (to go to County Council) today at Greenwich. For anyone who hasn't signed the online petition for No.10, the please, please do! The council won't be happy at stopping with the pre-schools but will move on to the other special schools in the area!

[MichelleW]

I've just been looking through the list of names on the online petition, and have the support of Wendy Lawson and J's paediatrician! Just wondering how to get hold of Tony Atwood and Mark Haddon - maybe a celebrity supporting us may help!

 

For all those who live in Kent - there should be an article in the Thanet Extra (free paper) Kent on Sunday (free paper) and the Isle of Thanet Gazette!

[MichelleW]

Just another update for anyone interested!

 

Unfortunately, there was no proper coverage in any of the newspapers apart from the Thanet Times. We have had a bit on KMFM news

 

KMFM news

 

However there is obvious misrepresentation implying that only four children are affected by the decision to close the 2 pre-schools!

 

I'm still hoping to get BBC South East to cover our story.

[MichelleW]

There is a bit on BBC South East News BBC South East News

[MichelleW]

I just thought I'd give a bit of an update. There was an article in Nursery World last week, but I can't see it making any difference. The Government ie. DFCS have finally replied to me, saying that the County Council have done nothing wrong, and have not removed the preschool - just children now have to have a statement to attend! They say they have no control over local authority!

 

So - the main school that is supposed to take 3 year olds with a statement don't have a clue how that is going to happen, as they don't have pre-school classes set up! But they can take non-statemented children for a 12 week assessment period, but again don't know what to do, as they have never had to do it before!!

And even if they had a pre-school class, they have no places in the school???!!!!

 

So the County Councils answer is that they are not axing any services, children can access special schools with a statement, and those without a statement get all the help they need within their mainstream nursery from Pre-school advisory team and outreach service. Who are they trying to kid???

 

:wallbash: :wallbash:

 

BUT if the child has severe and complex needs (i.e. more severe autism), they can get a place at another special schools nursery (in the same town) WITHOUT a statement. Surely this is discrimination - but where can I go next?? Isn't there a a law against discrimination - and does this apply to children who are not recognised as being disabled (no DLA?) What is the criteria for being disabled???

Edited October 12, 2007 by baddad
Hi michelle - I've 'tweaked' your post to meet forum guidelines, but all the important stuff is untouced :) - BD

[Kathryn]

Hi Michelle

 

There's a particular legal definition of disability and it's got nothing to do with receiving DLA or not or even having SEN. A person has a disability if he/she has a mental or physical impairment which has a long term and adverse effect on his ability to carry out normal day to day activioties.

 

The disability must have lasted (or likely to last) at least 12 months.

and must affect particular abilites, of which "he memory or ability to concentrate, learn or understand"and "perception of the risk of physical danger" are probably most relevant to ASD.

 

So under the above definition most children with AS would fall under this definition even if they don't have "severe" autism.

 

Making a disability discrimination claim is complex but if you want to go down this route, or at least discuss with someone the possibility of taking this step, the DRC is probably the best source of advice at this stage.

 

K x

[MichelleW]

I spent a long time last night reading about the disability discrimination act on the net. I'm still trying to work out what it means - there was loads about schools, but nothing about Local authorities. It looks as though the SEN and statementing process is accepted and not seen as being discriminating in itself.

 

The fact is that children without a disability or SEN do not have to go through the long and complicated process of statementing. I see this as being discriminating.

 

The problem is also that these children who would have got help without a statement but now need a statement are between 2 and 3, and in this area, the paediatricians do not think it is "appropriate" to diagnose conditions but just describe the difficulties. I know that it shouldn't make a difference as far as statementing is concerned but ........

 

also these children are not necessarily ASD but have speech language and communication disorders.

 

I guess I still a lengthy battle on my hands!!!

[MichelleW]

Hi all,

 

I'm just going through another "round" on my campaign - so have come back to this thread to have a read through. Only just noticed that you edited my post Baddad - I can't remember what I wrote initially - but I can guess what you changed! I guess I get a bit carried away! thanks

 

Anyway, as well as my own campaign -(and because of my campaign!) I've now been promoted to Interim (due to a technicality) Public Relations Officer for the NAS local branch!!! So - I am now desperately thinking about advertisement ideas - which then got me motivated again to try to advertise my campaign again!!!

 

So I am working on this :

 

Visit My Campaign

 

I have been informed that applying to SENDIST for a disability discrimination claim could be very costly! It seems the county council have recently won 2 cases which would have seemed clear cut cases of discrimination