Statements at college and university?

[k9ruby]

Hi there!

 

I am 15 years old, and I have severe dyspraxia, which causes me physical, co-ordination, sensory, memory, handwriting and navigation problems.

 

I currently have a statement for 12 support hours a week, my own laptop (i type 4x faster than i write, as i am extremly slow at writing, at less than 15 words per min.) and various smaller allowences.

 

I was wondering, when i transfer to college (hoping to study IT, Art, and Product Design), and university (IT) does this statement stick with me?

 

Thanks to anyone who replys.

[Kathryn]

Hi k9Ruby and welcome to the forum,

 

When you go to college, the statement you have will no longer be in force, but that doesn't mean you will be left with nothing! The college you enrol at must conduct another assessment to determine what support you are going to need. Your connexions advisor at school should be able to give you more information about this process. It's worth talking to him/her as soon as possible to discuss the options available and to get advice and information on which college would suit you best.

 

I hope this helps,

 

Kathryn

[nellie]

Hi K9Ruby,

 

This is the information I have on ceasing to maintain a Statement. It might be worth checking with one of the following helplines incase my information is out of date.

 

Independent Panel for Special Educational Needs. (IPSEA )

SEN Helpline: 0800 018 4016

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

 

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

Helpline: 0808 800 5793

Website: http://www.ace-ed.org.uk

 

 

I believe the law is not clear with regard to special educational provision beyond the age of 16, there have been two court rulings where the judges have disagreed over an LEA's duty with regard to maintaining statements. I am not aware of any further cases which have clarified this.

LEA's must have regard for the legal procedures and the relevant paragraphs of the Code of Practice.

1. a local education authority may cease to maintain a Statement only if it is not longer necessary to maintain it.

2. Where the local education authority determine to cease to maintain a Statement

 

a. They shall give notice of that fact and of the effect of paragraph B. below to the parent of the child, and

b. The parent of the child may appeal to the Tribunal against the determination.

 

These procedures must be followed unless the Statement ceases when the LEA is no longer responsible for the young person because he or she has moved into further or higher education or into employment or training. Where there is disagreement about whether the young person?s needs can be met at a further education college the LEA must contact the college to satisfy itself that the college can meet the needs and offer a place to the young person. It should not cease to maintain the Statement until it has done so. In the event of disagreement the parents have a right of appeal to SENDIST.

 

LEA?s have been criticised where there was a general expectation that all Statemented children would go into further education rather that the decision being taken on a case by case basis taking into account the needs of the child and suitable provision being available at the college.

 

A statement therefore only automatically lapses if a child of over compulsory school age moves out of the school system with the agreement of all parties or when a Tribunal orders the authority to cease to maintain the statement.

 

There are two important points about the time when the decision takes effect:

When the LEA have given the parents notice of their intention to cease to maintain the Statement, the Statement remains in place until the time limit has expired for the parent to lodge an appeal to the Tribunal (two months from the date that the LEA told the parent they could appeal).

 

If the parent appeals the Statement remains in force until the appeal is heard by the Triubunal or withdrawn.

[CarerQuie]

Usually colleges will carry out their own assessments and you should be seen by an EP.You need to keep anythiong the EP writes because you will need this for University if you are going to apply for a Disabled Students grant.(There has to be an EP report within the 6th form years).xx

[k9ruby]

Thanks alot, any experiences with this would also be very welcome!

[bid]

Hi

 

As far as I am aware, a Statement continues while a young person is in a placement funded by their LEA (this can be up to 19 at some special schools).

 

Once a young person transfers to a college funded by the Learning and Skills Council, their Statement is replaced by a Section 140, which is written by their Connexions Adviser, and details their special needs and the provision they require.

 

This is the process that has happened to my son.

 

Hope this helps...

 

Bid

[Kazzen161]

I have been told the same as bid.

 

The Section 140 has no legal backing though, so if provsion isn't made, there is little you can do. Most of the colleges we looked at have been quite helpful re: SEN.

 

If you have a statement, Connexions should have been involved since Year 9, coming to the Transition Reviews and helping you to choose the right college.

 

Karen

[Canopus]

Statements don't apply at university. At the start of every year students must register by filling in a form and submitting it to the registry. The form has boxes for disabilities and now there is one for ASD/AS. You should also inform the following people about your condition in writing:

 

1. The head of department

 

2. The undergraduate director of studies

 

3. Your tutor.

 

If you have been officially diagnosed or statemented then mention it.

 

HE institutions are generally behind schools when it comes to certain disabilities - especially dyslexia, dyspraxia, and AS/ASD - and many lecturers and admin staff have never even heard of these conditions or consider them as unreal excuses for poor standards. Some staff hold the attitude if students aren't up to standards expected then they should bog off. It is unlikely that any special resources will trickle down to individual lectures, lab sessions, or tutorials and you probably won't be given any special treatement when it comes to exams and coursework.

[k9ruby]

Thanks for the help. I was interveiwed by connexions in year 9.

[Elouise]

Connexions are the best people to go back to for support and help.

 

IF you stay on in a school sixth form your statement is maintained.

 

FE colleges often have a spcialist post 16-18 department (old sixth form college) that might be of help.

 

IF you leave the school system under law it is NOT but as others have said your needs should be considered and meet under the Disability Discrimination Act (ammend' 2005) in further and higher education.

 

You would also be entitled to claim the disabled students grant to purchase needed equipment (ie computers etc)

 

The OU is VERY good with special needs students; I am registered with them as one *grins*.

Some Unis are better than others for meeting special needs just as schools are so it would be worth asking others with ASDs who study where they go IF at a later date you want to use higher education.