Been invited to apply for a statutory assessment

[llisa32]

Hi,

 

Scuse If i'm being dumb...but not sure what LEA mean.

 

I've got a SEN caseworker at the LEA who put a case forward for us to apply for funding towards J's current school Independant) - long story but basically he ended up out of a local mainstream by time he was diagnosed as state school was not working out at all and no space left in others at the time.

 

Case went to the panel..they have (no surprise) declined to offer any funding at present - but...they have invited me to apply for a 'statutory assessment'.

 

Is that a statement? - and basically whats the benefits of having one ? - what does it entail...does J have to be assessed again?

 

And is it a good thing that they have told me to apply for one?

 

Bit wary after seeing not too many great things about the LEA on here.

 

Any advice/thoughts welcome please <'>

[Flora]

Hi Lisa

 

Yes, a stat assessment is the process that can lead to a statement.

 

I would say it was a very good thing, because if the LEA agree to name your son's present school in the statement then it is possible that they would pay the fees. However, it may not be this straight forward, as they may not name his present school but one of their own as 'being able to meet his needs'. In this case he could stay it his present school but you would still have to pay the fees.

 

The fact that the panel have invited you to apply looks very promising. Perhaps they want to offer funding and this is the only way it can be done (although if this is the case can you tell us where you live and watch the onslaught as everyone from the forum becomes your neighbours

 

I'd say go for it, you've got nothing to lose and potentially lots to gain.

 

Flora

[llisa32]

Thanks Flora - what actually happens when you go through this process? - do a bunch of specialists that already know J have to write up reports or does he have to meet with new people?

 

Which professionals have input?

 

Sorry for more questions - just want to get an idea of what I'm letting us in for

[Flora]

Hiya Lisa

 

If they agree to assess (you have to apply first) your son will probably be seen by a community paediatrician, an EP, and any other professionals involved in his care (ie CAMHS, SALT,autism outreach etc), who will all submit a report as their input towards a stat assessment. Your views will also be asked for, as will his present school's.

 

Once all the reports are compiled they will be looked at and a decision on whether to issue a statement or not will be made.

 

If they decide to issue a statement you will be given a 'proposed statement'. You have 15 days to go through it and ask for any changes/additions to be made; it's at this point that you ask for a specific school to be named. Then within 8 weeks of the issuing of a proposed statement they issue a signed final statement which is then put into effect.

 

This is a potted version of events. There are time limits etc, and the whole process from start to finish is supposed to take 26 weeks (although this isn't always met as haggling etc can hold things up). The sooner you apply (there are template letters on the IPSEA website) the sooner it will get done. However as the summer holidays are upon us, nothing will get done until September so it would probably make sense for you to wait until then before you apply as nothing will get done before September anyway.

 

Hope this is helpful.

 

Flo'

[llisa32]

Thanks for that - really useful, and filled in my gaps

 

The panel has asked if I want a meeting with a senior office in special education to discuss requesting a stat assess - I guess I could do that for the time being and then see what happens next.

 

Appreciate the info <'>

[thebuzzer]

The fact that the panel have invited you to apply looks very promising. Perhaps they want to offer funding and this is the only way it can be done (although if this is the case can you tell us where you live and watch the onslaught as everyone from the forum becomes your neighbours

 

Flora

 

Oh Flora my thoughts exactly!!!! How can we find out where this is

 

My school have just applied for DS to have a stat assessment, they have taken about 6 weeks to get all the evidence together and now we will have to wait while nothing is done over the hols. But at least they have it. I am ringing the Education Office today to see if it is just August that nothing is done or from the time the schools break up. I am so worried they will say no to stat assessment. Ds is only doing 1 to 2 hours a day since May!!!!!

 

Sorry Hijacking the thread oops!

[llisa32]

oooo - I do hope you're right guys

 

Another question from me.....do the teachers at J's current school have any input into a statement or the whole process??

[Kathryn]

oooo - I do hope you're right guys

 

Another question from me.....do the teachers at J's current school have any input into a statement or the whole process??

 

Yes, the school is asked to submit a report for the statutory assessment.

 

K x

[Mumble]

although if this is the case can you tell us where you live and watch the onslaught as everyone from the forum becomes your neighbours

You'll all have to fight with me first J's got a trampoline and I'm first in line :bounce:

 

This sounds promising Lisa - and yes, the school/current teachers will need to fill things in, possibly meet with EP - I had to do this with a child in similar circumstances when I was teaching.

 

Might be worth you doing some sneaky research of your own to see what other options are available locally to you that they might name so that you already have a long list of reasons as to why they're not suitable.