hev Report post Posted March 31, 2009 steve goes to residential school and is leaving in may this year,hes 16 in aug we looked round the local college here and they said they couldnt meet his needs for a college place lea are looking for suitable residential colleges,hes got a post 16 statement they said but the woman said from the lea that she dont hold out much hope to find him anything what else can i try?any ideas would be appreciated thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Get in touch with the NAS education advisors and also IPSEA and also the Parent Partnership. There are colleges out there for children on the spectrum. You may find it useful to get advice from a solicitor that specialises in special needs educational law. You can find legal advocates services on the NAS website through their resources link (Formerly called PARIS). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 There are specialist colleges around (both academic and more practical), but it is a bit late to be applying now (many of the places will already have been allocated). It would be best to ring round them and see if they have any places left. Some mainstream colleges are better with SEN than others. We have a college over the road, but I think one of the Twins will be better off going to the college 15 miles away, as they offer a lot more support (even though on paper the colleges are the same). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baddad Report post Posted March 31, 2009 lea are looking for suitable residential colleges,hes got a post 16 statement they said but the woman said from the lea that she dont hold out much hope to find him anything yeah, but she would, hen. No surprise there... I haven't even looked at post-16 yet, so have no real advice other than that if he has a 'post 16 statement' and there's 'nothing suitable locally', then the LEA won't be able to put up much of an argument against funding out of county provision. You'll have to do the digging around, but i'm sure the current school will be able to give you some pointers, along with the NAS etc... Also, get on to SS and the Children's Disability Team while you still can and get them on the case... BD Oh - PS: read on another thread about you 'begging to be sectioned' and them not taking you up on it the only explanation i can think of is they thought it was a double bluff! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lisac Report post Posted March 31, 2009 hev, if you come across anything, please let me know. We are in the same position, but not looking for residential, i have exhausted every avenue (as far as i am aware) in London, nothing suitable at all it seems. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enid Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Hev my oldest son had a post 16 statment, he went to college for 2 years, residential, monday to friday, he did skills for working life, and the best way forward is through connections, phone your local office now!!! else he`ll be under your feet for 2 years!!! Enid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pearl Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Gosh that seems to have come around soooo quickly. No advice I'm afraid but keeping everything crossed for you, transitions are always stressful <'> Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
purplehaze Report post Posted March 31, 2009 No advice-sorry. I didn't even know you could get a post 16 statement. My son has only one year left and I was told the statement finishes when he leaves. Can it continue if he goes to college? Good luck hope you get it sorted.xxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted March 31, 2009 Yes, depending on what sort of college they go to, a Statement can continue (or it is replaced by a S140). The LA always tell you the Statement will cease at the end of Year 11. Connexions should be involved in the transition process (there should be one worker attached to the school and one for the home area). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Clare63 Report post Posted April 4, 2009 Hi Hev, Just a quickie, Connor's school is due to open a 6th form in September, you could try giving them a ring for details (Its a "P" school in Surrey) if you ant more info let me know. Clare x x x Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sally44 Report post Posted April 4, 2009 Speak with the NAS Educational Advisors. Baddad is right, if the LEA do not have a local provison you can go out of county and your local LEA has to fund the place. You can also look at private schools that go post 16. The SENAD group have some. But to get that you would almost certainly need private reports and a solicitor. And please don't believe what the LEA tell you, always check it with the NAS/IPSEA etc. Also connections are supposed to be involved with transition from school and they should have information as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted April 4, 2009 You can also look at private schools that go post 16. The SENAD group have some. But to get that you would almost certainly need private reports and a solicitor. As Hev's son is already in a specialist school, she should have less problem than most getting specialist 16+ provision. I found that if it was a LSC funded placement (as opposed to LA funded) then it was easy compared to getting the school placement. You do need a Connexions worker to help you though. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted April 4, 2009 (edited) Hi Hev, There are some good post 16 specialist colleges around. I don't know anything specific in your area but we looked at a lovely one in Somerset and spoke to one of the students. I was very impressed with the facilities and the way they prepare the students for adult life. Budgeting, shopping cooking and learning how to work a washing machine were as much part of the curriculum as academic subjects. Students could attend lessons on site, and some went to local mainstream FE colleges with someone to support them. As with the education system, iIn order to be eligible for such a place, it has to be demonstrated that the local mainstream college can't meet the young person's needs, usually they have to attend for an assessment. Unlike the education system, parents can't directly apply - everything has to be done through the connexions service, so talk to them, as others have said. I have to say that some mainstream colleges cater very well for students with SEN - so don't automatically assume it's a no no. My daughter has been at her local FE college for 4 years and has been supported well. It hasn't been specialist AS support, but the staff have actually listened to what she wants and needs and have usually been able to make appropiate adjustments. So have a look at your local college as well and see what they have to offer. K x Edited April 4, 2009 by Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted April 5, 2009 Hi Hev, It should be relatively straightforward if you want to go for a post-16 special college. First stop is to talk to your Connexions Advisor, who will write up a Section 140 which replaces the Statement at an FE college. They pass your son's papers to local FE mainstream colleges, who will need to say that they can't meet his provision as set out in his Section 140. Once the local mainstream colleges have said they can't meet his provision, it will go to the funding panel. Sounds complicated, but in my son's case he didn't have to go for an assessment at the local mainstream college...they looked at his papers and said they couldn't meet his provision on that basis. Talk to his special school and make sure you meet with his Connexions Advisor from where you live. Good luck Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bid Report post Posted April 5, 2009 Just had another thought, Hev! Have you not had a Transition Statement Review to organise the plan for post 16?? This is what usually happens. Bid Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Karen A Report post Posted April 5, 2009 Hi Hev.I spotted this the other day.It is about transition planning and what to do if it is not being done.It may be handy to have.Karen. http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1067&a=4412 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites