Tez Report post Posted October 21, 2005 The EP has just shown me a copy of his assessment of A prior to sending it to the LEA. He tells me that in his experience the complexity of A's needs are such that there is only 1 millionth of a chance that a statement won't be issued and that he thinks that our LEA will want to meet A's needs. He has stated that he is of the view that A is not able to cope full time in a mainstream school and because of the sensory difficulties involved and his unusual learning style he is of the view that A will need significant 1 to 1 specialised teaching in a calm, ordered and "sensually" controlled environment. He states that he supports the parents view that A should be educated predominantly in the home environment with short (no longer than 1 hour) sessions in a mainstream setting with full LSA support 3 to 4 times a week to enable him to use Science laboratories and have some specialised teaching otherwise not available and that the school should carry out a full sensory audit to enable this limited in school time to be used productively. He suggests that group teaching will not have any educational benefit to A although he does not state that he should only have 1 to 1 teaching. I understand that that the Doctor has also written her report along these lines although I have not yet seen it. My question is whether the LEA will have to take this advice on board to the extent that they will pay for and manage the home education or am I likely to have a fight on my hands while they try to fob me off with something else. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted October 21, 2005 Tez Their legal obligations seem pretty clear, it all depends on whether your LEA are looking to help your child or minimise their financial liabilities! Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helenl53 Report post Posted October 21, 2005 Tez, sorry to say this, but Simon is right. Financial implications will be the driving factor for the LEA and they will look for the most cost effective method of delivering an education to your son. I think you may have some information on some online and home/unit based methods and you may be able to work out some costs to be able to do a comparative for the other possibilites that will be presented to you. Knowing that you son has been out of school now for such a long time, and knowing of the hositlity you have come up against with the LEA and the provision for his education whilst out of school, I would say - gird your loins for a battle. They have had plenty of opportunity to do the right thing. Best wishes HelenL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tez Report post Posted October 21, 2005 Thanks Both, Helen - Thanks for the advice, I will do the cost comparisons so I'm prepared. Does anyone know of any precedents where anyone has successfully got an LEA to finance and manage home education? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hectorshouse Report post Posted October 21, 2005 I'm not sure of any precedents but am looking into at the mo, but from what I do know is that *if* the LEA do take on the EP's advice and it is written into his statement then they WILL have to pay for it. Also any child receiving link education with a statement of needs is entitled to receive a number of hours depending on which key stage they are at ... I have the legislation somewhere I'll dig that reference out for you as well. I think Helen's advice is spot on, the following is a link to a case on the IPSEA site, that backs this up, although not the same circumstances as yours but the ruling is the important part. http://www.ipsea.org.uk/caselaw.htm#Crane Hope this helps a bit, HHxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hectorshouse Report post Posted October 21, 2005 hi again ... this is the guidance I was talking about, I downloaded it from the DfES site .. IMPROVING BEHAVIOUR AND ATTENDANCE: GUIDANCE ON EXCLUSION FROM SCHOOLS AND PUPIL REFERRAL UNITS Meaning of full time education 149. ?Full time? means supervised education equivalent to that provided by mainstream schools in the area and will be different for each Key Stage (KS). The recommended minimum hours per week of taught time are as follows: KS1 21 hours KS2 23.5 hours KS3/4 24 hours KS4 (Y11) 25 hours These hours are set out in statutory guidance in Circular 7/90. Full time education and Special Educational Needs 153. Permanently excluded pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs (SEN) should receive full time provision like any other excluded pupils. In some cases, a pupil's statement will specify fewer teaching hours than required for their key stage, for example because of an associated medical condition. In such cases, LEAs should provide the number of hours set out in the statement. heres the link where you can download the whole thing .. http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/defa...0&PageNumber=3& scroll all the way down the bottom of the page, its the last one! I know this is not directly relevant but ... it might help a bit. I hope you get my drift ... HHxx Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tez Report post Posted October 21, 2005 Thanks HH, The link was useful. There's also another document there on alternative provision that contains some useful information. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
