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Helen

The Ombudsman

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Hello eveyone,

 

Sometimes a parent realises that their statemented child isn't receiving a certain type of provision which is written in their child's Statement of Special Educational Needs. The Statement is a legally binding document, therefore the child's needs/rights must not be overlooked.

 

Apart from receiving valuable advice from organisations such as IPSEA, ACE, NAS, AFASIC etc, the parent could seek the assistance of The Ombudsman to implement the Law.

 

The Ombudsman is an independent Commissioner appointed by the Queen. One of his roles is to investigate complaints by members of the public that they have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration by certain local authorities.

 

The parent should have supporting evidence to substantiate their claim - a parent can make a complaint against his/her LEA when:

 

* the LEA exceeds its deadlines with regards to the statutory process - deadlines must be adhered to, they are important.

 

* the LEA issues numerous Statements in a bid to delay the parent going to tribunal, which inevitably delays the specific provison for the child - the parent should within eight weeks or receiving the proposed Statement, be issued with a final Statement, if the parent disagrees with the final Statement then the parent has the right to appeal to the SEN tribunal. If the LEA issues Statement after Statement, The Ombudsman could consider this an act of maladministration.

 

* the LEA fails to comply with the Statement - when the LEA doesn't provide a certain type of support which is written in the child's Statement, e.g. a touch typing course, SALTheapry sessions with a SALTherapist, a handwriting programme etc.

 

Does anyone else have other examples of educational maladministration?

 

Below are hopefully the correct links to The Ombudsman Office throughout the UK - I say hopefully, because I've tried posting this topic twice now without luck... ;)

 

Helen

 

http://www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk/

 

http://www.ombudslgscot.org.uk/

 

http://www.lgo.org.uk/

 

http://www.ombudsman-wales.org/english/index2.html

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Hello everyone,

 

Well, I just heard this morning, that my 1 year old complaint to the Ombudsman is not being investigated. The Ombudsman has decided to close my file... so I've failed in my attempt to get some justice.

 

I was feeling very, very sorry for myself, and so angry when I read the decision, but when I logged in here and read some of today's posts, everything was put back into perspective, so I'm not a miserable cow any more...I'm just truly grateful for everything that I already have in my life.

 

Helen x

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Thanks Nellie :)>:D<<'>

 

I may have given up on the Ombudsman's decision, but I haven't ruled out fetching the old bucket of tar and feathers out from the shed and then paying my LEA a visit :P

 

Helen

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Helen,

 

Can you tar and feather my LEA while you're at it? :P

 

Sorry to hear that you had bad news today too.

 

K

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Helen

 

It's so frustrating to be dependent on others to get justice when you know what you know inside. You must feel like you've been winded. So sorry.

 

Fel

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Thank you, Kathryn, Bid, Tez and Fel

 

Kathryn, why don't you join me, we'll make a day of it :lol:

 

The last batch I mixed up lasted ages - my son's useless, lazy, good-for-nothing LEA case worker didn't get recognised by any of her colleagues for over a month :lol::P

 

My husband was able to sum up in one sentence his feelings about the senior LEA officer who had the final say on this complaint:

 

"He's got the type of face that you wouldn't get tired of punching!" :devil:

 

Helen

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Helen,

 

It's a date! :)

 

I play tennis, and I must say my serve has improved 100% recently. I just picture a few faces I'd like to smash when I toss the ball up..... :devil:

 

I'm a placid and cuddly person really, wouldn't hurt a fly. :lol:

 

I hope you're feeling a bit better today

 

K

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I reckon tar and feathering is too good for the blighters how about making them wear concrete boots and left in a playing field were the next asperger/autistic/add/adhd etc rallies will be held, all those wild children having fun lol watch them get out of that one, my Nicks into his stone collection and could have real fun here.. whoops sorry gratuitous violent monty python scene moment..

 

Sorry about it all Helen.

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Awww thanks Beverley and Ksasnic :)

 

It's difficult when your head tells you to do one thing but your heart tells you to do something else :( I just didn't have the strength to fight the LEA any more.

 

Ksasnic, thanks for the chuckle for mentioning Nick and his stones, I for one appreciate your sense of humour :lol:

 

Tar and feathering wasn't my first option for dealing with the elusive LEA slimeball you know :whistle: - nooooooooooo, that was my second option.

 

My first option was to castrate him with a blunt and rusty knife, minus the anaesthetic :devil: - took one look at hubby's face when I mentioned this and he had gone all white ;):sick::lol:

Edited by Helen

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Hi Helen

 

Just read this thread and am really sorry to hear your news. I hope that you're feeling less angry and frustrated now.

 

I sometimes think that the best way some of these LEA people can learn about the difficulties parents have would be to force them to come into our homes for a week or two so they can really see it for themsleves. And they should be made to do this every year so they don't forget.

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Hi everyone I am new and thankyou for giving the courage to go on :notworthy:

 

I have read some of your LEA complaints and now dont feels so alone with my problem with mine at the mo, I think I need to seek legal advice on mine and my sons rights, as ther is a dispute over me taking my son out of school (as it wasnt fulfilling the statement and my son had such a bad time he was sucidal over christmas) that the LEA won't give any form of home tutoring until they find a school to take him (he has been out of school 6 weeks now). :wallbash:

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Hi Karaoke Queen,

 

Welcome to the forum. :) You will find lots of support and understanding on here, the natives are very friendly!!

 

LEA's have a legal duty to maintain statements, not the school. Did you complain to the LEA? When you took your child out of school, did you tell the LEA why? Did you ask your GP or another health professional for support and did they give evidence to say your child could not attend school?

 

Sorry to ask so many questions. :( I would advise you to contact one of the following for advice.

 

Independent Panel for Special Educational Needs. (IPSEA )

SEN Helpline: 0800 018 4016

Website: http://www.ipsea.org.uk

 

National Autistic Society (NAS)

NAS Education Advocacy including Tribunal Support Scheme 0845 070 4002

Website: http://www.nas.org.uk

 

Nellie xx

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Thanks yes I wrote a nine page letter to the LEA before I took Chris out over the Christmas break but due to how he got over Christmas he was so anxious I couldnt send him back, the school offered a meeting two days in to the term but he had to go back first, there was no reassurance any of the issues including bullying had been dealt with so Chris begged me not to send him back :blink:

 

When I queried the bullying issues I was told my son instigated it so what do I expect, the children at the school soon got wise to the fact Chris was always in trouble so they did play on that in my opinion. The school didnt want Chris in the first place because of his ASD/ADHD as the only resourced provision there was for his dyslexia, none of the social side of his statement was dealt with :angry:

 

I will get in touch with IPSEA to start with and find out our legal rights on this matter, thankyou :thumbs:

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Hiya KQ,

 

You could phone the NAS helpline to request the support of an NAS education advocate, for this person to go through Chris' present Statement for any inaccuracies. Tel: 0845 070 4002, press 1 for general advice, SEN provision and entitlement.

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Just wondered if there was anyone with any advice on my problem. I know I am not the only one but here goes.

 

My son was diagnosed when he was 4, after two years of battling for a diagnosis. Apparently he baffles everyone and it is only those who have no qualifications that seem to see the problem. That is of course until you get to the real professionals which you end up paying for who diagnosse within minutes and tell you your son has classic asperges. I knew that >>>> Problem is that mainstream, GP, teachers, head teachers, paedeatricians, eps, social workers etc have no idea what they are looking at.

 

Anyway LEA turned down assessment, I employed a barrister and we got the assessment and then statement. By now he was 5. We then spent the next four years trying to get him to go to school, clearing up the mess the school made, providing the school with resources, etc etc. No one had a clue what they were dealing with. Mostly I think they felt that I had convinced someone to say he was asperges and were simply playing lip service to me. The fact that they could not get him to do stuff was imaterial. Everything it seemed to me according to everyone was my fault. If they could not manage or he behaved "badly" was also my fault.

 

Last year he broke his ankle at school, then three months later he broke his arm in two places. All at playtime, all at school. He was told he must be more careful. Then he went into year 5 and took a bit of a dislike to a teacher who tried to get results and approached him like an average boy. She no doubt was convinced he had been turned asperges by me and was out to prove me wrong.

 

Needless to say he began having illnesses that got him sent home from school over and over again, he refused to go. He began having nightmares. His behaviour dipped massively until he became a raging bull, abusive, aggressive, then depressed and suicidal.

 

I contacted the school, social workers, ewo, case officer, head of department in special needs, governors, head of the heads of everything. Psychiatrists, therapists etc. All said that unless school said there was a problem there simply was not one.

 

So I got extra locks on windows and doors so he could not kill him self or run away, all of which he tried to do to avoid school and me. Me because I was the one trying to get him there.

 

Meetings became many and useless. All ended up focusing on parenting skills and home life. The fact that the problems abated when weekend and holiday times were around was ignored.

 

Eventually by April 2005 he was out of school completely. The ewo finally paid us a visit in the middle of may. She tried to talk to him and he yeled at her and went for me. She later claimed to have had a detailed discussion with him. In her notes she made comments which were frankly lies and fabrications.

 

Everyone persisted in telling me we needed to have more meetings. I suggested seeking the advice of speech and language OT and ed psychs. This was apparently not necessary. Also what seemed to be unnecessary was the things in his statement that he has never received. I thought this was against the law. However, apparently this was me being too demanding and having high expectations. The school said they did their best and simply could not be perfect.

 

Social services sent someone to our house for two weeks to try and get him to go to school. They failed. They commented to me afterwards that now they had seen the problem they could believe me. However, they refused to pass this information on to anyone.

 

So I went down the barrister root again. I spent over ?12,000 on private reports and solicvitors fees. I lost my job as my son would not go to school or anyone else. No one else would help or have him. I now face losing my home. I frankly feel exhausted emotionally, physically and financially.

 

We appealed to SENDIST, now after 10 months of being off school we have received the tribunal decision.

 

They found in our favour on every count. The LEA were incompetant at the hearing and were told they had to alter the statement and send my son to a specialist school.

 

This seemed great. I hoped he would start at the special school this week or next. But........

 

The LEA have found the most miniscule criticisms with the decision. Mainly typing errors and really if they had a brain they could have worked it out for themselves.

 

This letter from them was sent to Sendist within the ten day allowance for requests for reviews etc. I have phoned Sendist and have been told it would be unlikely that the LEA would have a reply until at least the end of January.

 

Sendist cannot tell me anything about the timescale the school placement should be made in.

 

Suddenly and as usual the whole thing is up in the air again. All the people with the answers are having their christmas holidays. How nice for them.

 

My son is anxious and uptight, he is waking every night now and sometimes is up from 1.30 am. He cant sleep, he is worried. Worried cos I cant give him the answers.

 

I am worried, I cannot go back to work this month, I have missed the chance to return to my job because of it. I dont have enough money to pay the mortgage as I only had enough to last me to January.

 

I dont know if the LEA are simply being idiots so they can save a bit more money and drag this out so they get out of fees this term and are just going to make this drag on or if they are about to appeal against the decision.

 

You just get to the point where even when you do everything right, try your hardest you still get left in the dark, disregarded as though you matter so little. Your child is ignored and becoming more and more reclusive. As he becomes more reclusive so do you. He has no life, no education, no friends, I have no life, no work, no friends. Neither of us has a future and no one seems to give a dam.

 

That has left me feeling I dont give a dam anymore either.

 

Perhaps I should just sell up and take my son to new zealand and live in the land of lord of the rings, surrounded by water and sunshine. Its a nice dream and at least he would be happy.

 

Then I come back to reality and know I have to wait a bit longer, just in case, hold on, and on and on.

 

And just when I feel this low my son tells me I am selfish and cruel and dont want him to ever be happy because I would not buy him the PS2 game he wants. Even though he has had everything he wanted for christymas. Its never enough is it.

 

If only he knew.

 

How hard I have tried, how much I love him, how much I do care and how happy I do want him to be. What I have given up and the situation I am now in.

 

But he doesnt.

 

It all leaves me feeling so numb. There is no smiley face with no expression !!!!

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Bothered, >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

 

A warm welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for support and information from people who care and understand.

 

I truly wish your story wasn't so familiar. I have been through similar struggles, my son wasn't diagnosed until he was 19 and he was at a special school. At one point I had my son out of school for a year, his emotional, physical and mental health had left him at deaths door. I did take my case to the Local Government Ombudsman and won.

 

If you haven't already contacted IPSEA then I recommend you contact them ASAP, they are probably available after the school holidays. They will advise you what to do and also tell you if you have cause for complaint and who to make it to.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/

 

I hope you don't mind me asking, but is the special school named on the statement an ASD specialist school?

 

Is your GP supportive? He should be able to refer your son to CAMHS. (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service).

 

I'm sure you will gets lots of advice from our members they are a wise bunch.

 

My thoughts are with you. Please keep us posted.

 

Nellie >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

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Bothered,

 

One other thought. Have you involved any voluntary organisations such as a local autistic society or Carers organisation? It often makes a difference to have someone with some clout to back you up as a parent. Yes, I know you shouldn't need it!

 

You may be lucky enough to have a good local branch of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers. I have found them to be very supportive, especially telling you your rights as far as Social Services is concerned. http://www.carers.org/

 

Nellie >:D<<'>

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Bothered, welcome to the forum and I hope you wil get as much out of it as I have.

 

Your story is so sad, and as Nellie already said, I too recognise so many details in there that we have gone through as well.

I don't have any advice really, just wanted to say hello and i hope you get the help you so desperately need. From what I have heard, IPSEA is a very good organisation to contact.

 

You mention that your GP is not supportive either, I had this problem as well and changed GPs which made a huge difference.

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Hi Bothered. Welcome to the forum. Your story has left me numb with anger. You really have been given the runaround with provision. I'll suggest what I can to help - though it isn't much. I would like to know what LEA we are talking about. Please don't post it up here though. If you click on my name (to the left of my post) you can send me the name via a personal message. The reason for this is comparing their SEN policy to their provision can often make all the difference.

 

The problem is where to begin!

 

Just wondered if there was anyone with any advice on my problem. I know I am not the only one but here goes.

 

I'll try.

 

My son was diagnosed when he was 4, after two years of battling for a diagnosis. Apparently he baffles everyone and it is only those who have no qualifications that seem to see the problem. That is of course until you get to the real professionals which you end up paying for who diagnosse within minutes and tell you your son has classic asperges. I knew that >>>> Problem is that mainstream, GP, teachers, head teachers, paedeatricians, eps, social workers etc have no idea what they are looking at.

 

Anyway LEA turned down assessment, I employed a barrister and we got the assessment and then statement. By now he was 5. We then spent the next four years trying to get him to go to school, clearing up the mess the school made, providing the school with resources, etc etc. No one had a clue what they were dealing with. Mostly I think they felt that I had convinced someone to say he was asperges and were simply playing lip service to me. The fact that they could not get him to do stuff was imaterial. Everything it seemed to me according to everyone was my fault. If they could not manage or he behaved "badly" was also my fault.

 

There does seem to be a problem where people get a private diagnosis. The argument runs, it appears, that you get what you pay for, which is pretty much the reaction you say you got. I tend to disagree with that as I believe that professional integrity of anyone doing this would be compromised very quickly. I am also shocked that you have had to supply resources, even though I know this happens far more then is publicy acknowledged.

 

With regards to the statement you got can you tell me (us) what it actually gave by way of detailed provision: 1-1 support for 'x' hours, use of 'x', 'y' or 'z' stratergies etc. Then can you tell us what the 'real' support your son got was. I know this may seem a waste of time but it may help others who (god forbid) find themselves facing the same problems.

 

Last year he broke his ankle at school, then three months later he broke his arm in two places. All at playtime, all at school. He was told he must be more careful. Then he went into year 5 and took a bit of a dislike to a teacher who tried to get results and approached him like an average boy. She no doubt was convinced he had been turned asperges by me and was out to prove me wrong.

 

Needless to say he began having illnesses that got him sent home from school over and over again, he refused to go. He began having nightmares. His behaviour dipped massively until he became a raging bull, abusive, aggressive, then depressed and suicidal.

 

I contacted the school, social workers, ewo, case officer, head of department in special needs, governors, head of the heads of everything. Psychiatrists, therapists etc. All said that unless school said there was a problem there simply was not one.

 

I know there are huge, huge problems for our kids during breaktimes. Schools seem to be very slow at reacting to this. Your son has been hugely let down here. I/we/you cannot say for certain that these accidents were nothing more than that, but...

 

So I got extra locks on windows and doors so he could not kill him self or run away, all of which he tried to do to avoid school and me. Me because I was the one trying to get him there.

 

Meetings became many and useless. All ended up focusing on parenting skills and home life. The fact that the problems abated when weekend and holiday times were around was ignored.

 

Eventually by April 2005 he was out of school completely. The ewo finally paid us a visit in the middle of may. She tried to talk to him and he yeled at her and went for me. She later claimed to have had a detailed discussion with him. In her notes she made comments which were frankly lies and fabrications.

 

Everyone persisted in telling me we needed to have more meetings. I suggested seeking the advice of speech and language OT and ed psychs. This was apparently not necessary. Also what seemed to be unnecessary was the things in his statement that he has never received. I thought this was against the law. However, apparently this was me being too demanding and having high expectations. The school said they did their best and simply could not be perfect.

 

Social services sent someone to our house for two weeks to try and get him to go to school. They failed. They commented to me afterwards that now they had seen the problem they could believe me. However, they refused to pass this information on to anyone.

 

So I went down the barrister root again. I spent over ?12,000 on private reports and solicvitors fees. I lost my job as my son would not go to school or anyone else. No one else would help or have him. I now face losing my home. I frankly feel exhausted emotionally, physically and financially.

 

We appealed to SENDIST, now after 10 months of being off school we have received the tribunal decision.

 

They found in our favour on every count. The LEA were incompetant at the hearing and were told they had to alter the statement and send my son to a specialist school.

 

All I can say is thank god you had the strength to take it this far. Many don't and I'm afraid that it seems LEAs rely on this. It makes me so ###### angry.

 

This seemed great. I hoped he would start at the special school this week or next. But........

 

The LEA have found the most miniscule criticisms with the decision. Mainly typing errors and really if they had a brain they could have worked it out for themselves.

 

This letter from them was sent to Sendist within the ten day allowance for requests for reviews etc. I have phoned Sendist and have been told it would be unlikely that the LEA would have a reply until at least the end of January.

 

INCREDIBLE!! Have they forgotten their is a child involved here? If they are really just arguing over typing errors I am gobsmacked. What are they playing at?

 

Sendist cannot tell me anything about the timescale the school placement should be made in.

 

Suddenly and as usual the whole thing is up in the air again. All the people with the answers are having their christmas holidays. How nice for them.

 

My son is anxious and uptight, he is waking every night now and sometimes is up from 1.30 am. He cant sleep, he is worried. Worried cos I cant give him the answers.

 

I am worried, I cannot go back to work this month, I have missed the chance to return to my job because of it. I dont have enough money to pay the mortgage as I only had enough to last me to January.

 

I dont know if the LEA are simply being idiots so they can save a bit more money and drag this out so they get out of fees this term and are just going to make this drag on or if they are about to appeal against the decision.

 

You just get to the point where even when you do everything right, try your hardest you still get left in the dark, disregarded as though you matter so little. Your child is ignored and becoming more and more reclusive. As he becomes more reclusive so do you. He has no life, no education, no friends, I have no life, no work, no friends. Neither of us has a future and no one seems to give a dam.

 

That has left me feeling I dont give a dam anymore either.

 

PLEASE - if you haven't done so already talk to your mortgage lender, tell them the difficulty you are having and why. 99% of them don't ever want to go down the route of eviction (mine didn't, but they had to - but thats a different story for another time).

 

Have you talked to IPSEA or any one else who can suggest how to help? If not I suggest you do so ASAP - I know that may mean waiting till the begining/middle of next week now but they may be able to offer more than just suggestions on a computer screen. There is a link to them somewhere on the forum.

 

Perhaps I should just sell up and take my son to new zealand and live in the land of lord of the rings, surrounded by water and sunshine. Its a nice dream and at least he would be happy.

 

Then I come back to reality and know I have to wait a bit longer, just in case, hold on, and on and on.

 

And just when I feel this low my son tells me I am selfish and cruel and dont want him to ever be happy because I would not buy him the PS2 game he wants. Even though he has had everything he wanted for christymas. Its never enough is it.

 

No, it isn't ever enough. We all get this, or a version of it thrown at us - and it hurts, like hell. The problem is we know deep down they really don't understand that there is more to life then their games system or pokemon cards etc. I think we've all had the dream of going somewhere miles and miles away from it all, but the problems wouldn't go away, they, as you say, would still be there when we looked back.

 

If only he knew.

 

How hard I have tried, how much I love him, how much I do care and how happy I do want him to be. What I have given up and the situation I am now in.

 

But he doesnt.

 

WE KNOW. We can see it from what you have told us. You have given everything you've got for him. Perhaps it is just as well he doesn't know.

 

 

It all leaves me feeling so numb. There is no smiley face with no expression !!!!

 

I bet it has left you numb.

 

What to suggest?

 

Are you still up for a fight? I think it is time you played the game the LEA way...DIRTY. I am sure the press would be interested in your story on a local level and then quite possibly on a national one. You don't have to be prepared to actually do this (unless you want to!)...just make the LEA think you are! Threaten to talk to the press, TV, radio...anyone who'll listen. Have a letter to this effect sitting on the heads, head's desks for first thing in the new year. Quite frankly I am disgusted at what you have both been put through. I hope the powers that be in your LEA will hang their heads in shame over this. Have you thought of raising this with your MP? They may be able to help put pressure on these arrogant gits. I really don't know what else to suggest to you. Others on here will have been where you are I am sure. They may be better placed to offer suggestions than me. You have just got to steal yourself for the last leg.

 

Are there any support groups local to you who could offer support and perhaps some respite for you? It sounds like you need it desperately. Even a few hours can make a difference. Lastly, and above all else you are not alone anymore. You have us. We may not have all the answers (I certainly haven't in your case - you have gone all the way with this and are still fighting) but we are always here to listen and try to offer moral support. Please don't give up now. You have earnt your son his placement - you make sure that they give it to him. You deserve this final victory. This website and it's members will be with you for as long as you need us. This place really is something else for helping each other, I just hope we can help you, if only by being here when you need to offload.

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Bothered, hello and welcome you have come to the best place around for advice of this type, and the support here is excellent ... Phasmid has as ever said anything I could think of, and when you answer his questions we will all be able to chip in with anything that we can.

 

Definitely call IPSEA etc ... as well.

 

I know that it probably sounds hollow, but we do all really know what your going through, the fact that you have stuck at it so much as well only demonstrates your determination as a parent.

 

Respect and welcome, HHxx

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Bothered - >:D<<'>

 

Hello and welcome to the forum.

 

This place has saved me so many times - the advice and support here is endless, please stick around.

 

Call your mortgage company and explain the situation - i was in a similar situation a few years ago (very messy seperation) and they were very understanding. They will be helpful - if you tell them you need help, they arn't so helpful if you just try to ignore it (which i, bet is what you'd like to do) - C.A.B are also very good - they will call all the people you owe money to and arrange something for you.

 

Hope this helps - please feel free to PM me

 

xxxxxx

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Bothered,

 

I've nothing to add to the excellent advice you've already been given. Rest assured you aren't alone - many of us understand what you are going through and the weasly people you are dealing with.

 

Stay strong - you've done so much already,

 

Oh and welcome, by the way :)

 

K

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It's all been said and by the those who know best. You are in safe hands here for sure.

 

All I can add is that if you ever decided to give up the fight - like some of us here have done - then you know where to find me and those like me who gave up on the system and now Home Educate.

 

After one Son was left on suicide watch and the other was turning into a howling banshee every day after returning home from school enough was enough.

 

They may have an obligation to educate our kids but while they clearly do not understand it left us wondering what we were fighting for.

 

>:D<<'> Carole

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Hi Bothered

 

No additional advice - it seems to be well covered already but ... welcome >:D<<'> >:D<<'> >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

and hope you get it sorted.... soon

 

Give the LEA what they deserve: :fight::fight::fight:

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Bothered, >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

 

A warm welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for support and information from people who care and understand.

 

I truly wish your story wasn't so familiar. I have been through similar struggles, my son wasn't diagnosed until he was 19 and he was at a special school. At one point I had my son out of school for a year, his emotional, physical and mental health had left him at deaths door. I did take my case to the Local Government Ombudsman and won.

 

If you haven't already contacted IPSEA then I recommend you contact them ASAP, they are probably available after the school holidays. They will advise you what to do and also tell you if you have cause for complaint and who to make it to.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/

 

I hope you don't mind me asking, but is the special school named on the statement an ASD specialist school?

 

Is your GP supportive? He should be able to refer your son to CAMHS. (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service).

 

Thank you for writing, I requested CAMHS see my son when he was four via the GP, CAMMHS made the original and first diagnosis. I requested to go back to them last year and finally saw them in Nov 2005. We then had a run of four psychs all of whom would not get involved. Then finally one did and then he turned out to be a bit of a nut himself !!! Its a long story !!! Finally after they admitted inappropriate behaviour by the psych agreed for us to see the orignal psych who we finally saw last August (so this took a year !) she then wrote brilliant letters which all helped contribute at the tribunal. EWO claimed to make this referral, then social services did, basically trying to make themselves look like they did something. I kept mentioning this but it was ignored that it was me that did this. All these stupid details that they try to distract you with and then you dragged yourself out of the quibbling and get back to your sons real problems. GP was not supportive, would not write a report but spoke to EWO without permission, the EWO denied speaking to her !! all very bizzare. GP then said she was going to go to a meeting and provide a report. Requested she tell me what she would write and claimed she did not have to. However after several letters back and forth with me complaining to the head of the practice the GP admitted she thought my sons difficulties were due to school and that the aches and pains were related to stress. I also discovered that she was the Chief Medical Officer for Schools, something she ommitted to tell me. She refused to communicate with my solicitor and became another person on the "State side" as I call it. She just made things worsereally and was more of a hindrance.

 

I'm sure you will gets lots of advice from our members they are a wise bunch.

 

My thoughts are with you. Please keep us posted.

 

Nellie >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

 

 

Bothered, >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

 

A warm welcome to the forum. You have come to the right place for support and information from people who care and understand.

 

I truly wish your story wasn't so familiar. I have been through similar struggles, my son wasn't diagnosed until he was 19 and he was at a special school. At one point I had my son out of school for a year, his emotional, physical and mental health had left him at deaths door. I did take my case to the Local Government Ombudsman and won.

 

If you haven't already contacted IPSEA then I recommend you contact them ASAP, they are probably available after the school holidays. They will advise you what to do and also tell you if you have cause for complaint and who to make it to.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/

 

I hope you don't mind me asking, but is the special school named on the statement an ASD specialist school?

 

Is your GP supportive? He should be able to refer your son to CAMHS. (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service).

 

Have tried to get through to IPSEA many times as I have heard there are excellent. Also constantly engaged !!! will keep trying.

 

Yes the school named is an Asperges specific school.

 

I'm sure you will gets lots of advice from our members they are a wise bunch.

 

My thoughts are with you. Please keep us posted.

 

Nellie >:D<<'> >:D<<'>

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Hi Bothered. Welcome to the forum. Your story has left me numb with anger. You really have been given the runaround with provision. I'll suggest what I can to help - though it isn't much. I would like to know what LEA we are talking about. Please don't post it up here though. If you click on my name (to the left of my post) you can send me the name via a personal message. The reason for this is comparing their SEN policy to their provision can often make all the difference.

 

The problem is where to begin!

I'll try.

There does seem to be a problem where people get a private diagnosis. The argument runs, it appears, that you get what you pay for, which is pretty much the reaction you say you got. I tend to disagree with that as I believe that professional integrity of anyone doing this would be compromised very quickly. I am also shocked that you have had to supply resources, even though I know this happens far more then is publicy acknowledged.

 

With regards to the statement you got can you tell me (us) what it actually gave by way of detailed provision: 1-1 support for 'x' hours, use of 'x', 'y' or 'z' stratergies etc. Then can you tell us what the 'real' support your son got was. I know this may seem a waste of time but it may help others who (god forbid) find themselves facing the same problems.

I know there are huge, huge problems for our kids during breaktimes. Schools seem to be very slow at reacting to this. Your son has been hugely let down here. I/we/you cannot say for certain that these accidents were nothing more than that, but...

All I can say is thank god you had the strength to take it this far. Many don't and I'm afraid that it seems LEAs rely on this. It makes me so ###### angry.

INCREDIBLE!! Have they forgotten their is a child involved here? If they are really just arguing over typing errors I am gobsmacked. What are they playing at?

PLEASE - if you haven't done so already talk to your mortgage lender, tell them the difficulty you are having and why. 99% of them don't ever want to go down the route of eviction (mine didn't, but they had to - but thats a different story for another time).

 

Have you talked to IPSEA or any one else who can suggest how to help? If not I suggest you do so ASAP - I know that may mean waiting till the begining/middle of next week now but they may be able to offer more than just suggestions on a computer screen. There is a link to them somewhere on the forum.

No, it isn't ever enough. We all get this, or a version of it thrown at us - and it hurts, like hell. The problem is we know deep down they really don't understand that there is more to life then their games system or pokemon cards etc. I think we've all had the dream of going somewhere miles and miles away from it all, but the problems wouldn't go away, they, as you say, would still be there when we looked back.

WE KNOW. We can see it from what you have told us. You have given everything you've got for him. Perhaps it is just as well he doesn't know.

I bet it has left you numb.

 

What to suggest?

 

Are you still up for a fight? I think it is time you played the game the LEA way...DIRTY. I am sure the press would be interested in your story on a local level and then quite possibly on a national one. You don't have to be prepared to actually do this (unless you want to!)...just make the LEA think you are! Threaten to talk to the press, TV, radio...anyone who'll listen. Have a letter to this effect sitting on the heads, head's desks for first thing in the new year. Quite frankly I am disgusted at what you have both been put through. I hope the powers that be in your LEA will hang their heads in shame over this. Have you thought of raising this with your MP? They may be able to help put pressure on these arrogant gits. I really don't know what else to suggest to you. Others on here will have been where you are I am sure. They may be better placed to offer suggestions than me. You have just got to steal yourself for the last leg.

 

Are there any support groups local to you who could offer support and perhaps some respite for you? It sounds like you need it desperately. Even a few hours can make a difference. Lastly, and above all else you are not alone anymore. You have us. We may not have all the answers (I certainly haven't in your case - you have gone all the way with this and are still fighting) but we are always here to listen and try to offer moral support. Please don't give up now. You have earnt your son his placement - you make sure that they give it to him. You deserve this final victory. This website and it's members will be with you for as long as you need us. This place really is something else for helping each other, I just hope we can help you, if only by being here when you need to offload.

 

 

 

I am very much at the point of wanting to take this public. I have resisted for so long and I have had enough.

 

I wondered about a full page ad in a paper, Photo of me and my son. Underneath a list of facts and at the end a question, Do any of you reading this have the same problem, know someone who does, think there is something wrong with this, or even care !

 

I have had enough and it firstly left me feeling exhausted and depressed. Now I just want to stand tall and face the lot of them and keep going until they are totally ashamed, embarassed or perhaps as they should have done long ago shown a little humility and say ...... Sorry. There is no excuse as far as I am concerned.

 

I have a real passion for this and I think its time that this country knew what was going on. I have worked in a college with special needs kids, all with many problems. But Autism is one of the worst for the mental impact it has on the person and everyone involved with them.

 

I have had experience both personally and professionally that given the wrong path it is very likely that these children can grow up to have their lives become tragedies. Perhaps it is due to this that I will not back down, I know how this can end.

 

x

 

I will start ringing people tomorrow. Thanks for your message. It is stunning how many people struggle for so long.

 

I have had enough of the personal battle and in an odd way though I want what is right for my son it is somehow not enough because I know thousands of others are not getting it and that so much will be brushed under the carpet until the next time.

 

I really dont think my one achievement is enough. We need to get this right for all our kids.

 

I have lots of ideas and sometimes wonder if anyone else would join me.

x

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Just a quick question

 

Does anyone know how long the LEA has to carry out what is set out in the new statement after being informed of the decisions on this by the Tribunal panel.

 

Briefly !!!

 

Tribunal found much of the statement needed changing and noted this in their decision, they also noted in the end page a list of changes etc. They named a change of school to a special school in the decision and the statement, however not in the list of changes to be made.

 

Anyone with half a brain would easily work out what the statement should say but the LEA being the LEA they have gone back to the tribunal chair woman and queried about ten points which amount to typing errors and things written in decision and statement but not in the list.

 

The school have not heard from the LEA

 

The solicitor has advised not to contact the LEA

 

I have phoned tribunal offices and been told they have no authority to chase action on decision but dont think LEA will get reply til end of Jan.

 

I was under the impression that the LEA had to put new school place into action within two weeks of decision but when I spoke to tribunal office they waffled on about new statements being given five weeks and did not make much sence.

 

So I just wondered if anyone knew what the time frames were and what I should do next.

 

I will ring my solicitor but money is tight to say the least.

 

Anyone know what the rule is here, my son is getting so anxious now about this, having been told to tell him the decision in order to prepare him he of course is getting pretty p ***** d off that it is not happening.

 

I was under the illusion that the decisions were final and had to be enforced immediately - it seems perhaps not ?

 

Appreciate any knowledge on this, thanks

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Bothered,

 

Sorry, I'm not sure of the answer. If the LEA hadn't found these 'loopholes' then I would think the changes should be immediate but these must complicate matters. I have found out that IPSEA's advice line opens tomorrow. 0800 0184016 between 10-4 and 7-9. I know it's difficult to get through, it might be best to phone as soon as the line opens and keep pressing re-dial.

 

I thought I heard somewhere that they will not take on a case if a solicitor is involved, maybe someone else will know if this is the case, but they should still be able to advise you.

 

It must be incredibly frustrating for you when you have come this far and to find the LEA are still blocking your way. I hope you manage to sort this out ASAP.

 

Good luck

 

Keep us posted.

 

Nellie xx

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I think that any of the major newspapers would be interested in your story. If you want to go this route seek out their education corespondants and see what they have to say. If you want to go for a more local approach most of the local papers will also have someone who covers education as well. I don't think you'll need to spend any more money on this to get them interested.

 

As for time frames post SENDIST, I really don't know (I wish I did) IPSEA, as mentioned again and again, are really the best source of help I can think of. I would also consider by-passing the LEA and contacting the DfES directly about timeframes. I am sure they will be able to help. I'll see if I can find a link for you.

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Thanks I will look it up.

 

Just phoned the solicitor, he says that the LEA have written to him stating they have found a number of items needing clarifying and that they assume we are happy to wait for the answers to these and the issuing of a new statement towards the end of Jan beginning of Feb.

 

He has told me that what amouns to typing errors are all in Parts 2 and 3 of the statement and as they have no queries regarding Part 4 where the school is named they have no right to ask us to wait for the whole statement before doing anything.

 

Therefore he is writing to them requesting them to get the school place sorted out as they should do this within 2 weeks of the decision (which has now passed). Telling them that my son should start school immediately and the statement can be worked on over the next few weeks. Bearing in mind that EOTAS have now withdrawn any home education as the decision has been made they are now also breaking the law as they have not arranged the school placement and have withdrawn EOTAS leaving my son with no schooling. !!!!

 

So now we wait, again......

 

Just thought I would let you know the above so other people know. Its very handy having a solicitor as they very quickly get to the nub of the problem and take action. But you have to be aware that they are very costly, the phone call probably cost me ?75 and the two letters ?25 each !! To give an idea to anyone who may want to takes things to tribunal when there is already a statement issued, so basically challenging by issuing an appeal against it it was this,

 

It took 8 months from issuing the appeal to getting a date for the tribunal

Got private EP, OT, S&L and PSCH reports (each well worth as provided on average 30 page reports)

Solicitor found fault in statement so could make an appeal (otherwise it would have taken alot longer)

Solicitor contacted LEA EOTAS on my behalf to get home ed (we had to threaten them with the High Court)

Solicitor collated reports and general information

LEA made no attempt to resolve during this time and two weeks before the tribunal started making offers of alternatives which were all inappropriate. These offers became grander up to the day of tribunal. None were suitable and indeed the tribunal found them to be wildly misjudging the situation.

Total bundle of papers over 500

Barrister attended tribunal along with deputy head from chosen school, private EP

Whole day in tribunal

 

total cost so far approximately ?12,000

 

the look on the LEA faces at tribunal ? priceless

 

We did get the right outcome and its now a case of forcing the LEA to act on it.

 

I would say the solicitor, barrister and private reports were very very dynamic so though this was expensive it did feel like it was worth it when the reports came through. I would imagine it could be done for less but am not sure.

 

When we first got the statement several years ago we did the same thing and used a solicitor and barrister to get the statement. The LEA backed down the day before the tribunal which they often do. They wait to see if the parents back down and when they dont they often back down themselves.

 

Its very tough to go through but I would recommend it if at all possible.

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