meeting with LEA officer

[Flora]

Hi all,

 

Amongst all my emails when I got back from holiday was one from my pp appointed parent supporter.... she has mananged to make contact with my LEA officer (it's easier to contact the dead I'm sure), and has arranged a meeting for the 8th August (I'd asked her to do this for me and also requested that it was in my own home).....

 

She also forwarded me and email she received today from the LEA officer telling her she is bringing another LEA bod with her I wonder why she feels the need for reinforcements?????

 

The meeting, btw, is to discuss my ds2 and how she (the LEA) feels his needs 'are being met'.... her reason for turning him down for Stat Assessment.

 

Any thoughts on why she may be bringing an extra officer with her????

 

Lauren

[marshmallow]

Hi Lauren, I don't know why, but maybe to support her and 'back her up'? Is your pp support worker or someone going to be there for you?

[Flora]

Yes, she's going to be there.... I thought it was good that I had backup... but now the LEA seems to be bringing her own back up.... I'm not sure if that means she thinks I've got a good case and needs and extra bod to brow beat me... or what! I'll find out on Tuesday though

 

Lauren

[julieann]

Hi all,

 

Amongst all my emails when I got back from holiday was one from my pp appointed parent supporter.... she has mananged to make contact with my LEA officer (it's easier to contact the dead I'm sure), and has arranged a meeting for the 8th August (I'd asked her to do this for me and also requested that it was in my own home).....

 

She also forwarded me and email she received today from the LEA officer telling her she is bringing another LEA bod with her I wonder why she feels the need for reinforcements?????

 

The meeting, btw, is to discuss my ds2 and how she (the LEA) feels his needs 'are being met'.... her reason for turning him down for Stat Assessment.

 

Any thoughts on why she may be bringing an extra officer with her????

 

Lauren

[julieann]

Hi Lauren,

You really need someone there with you. If not ask to record the meeting.

Julieann.

[julieann]

Hi Lauren,

You really need someone there with you. If not ask to record the meeting.

Julieann.

 

Sorry Lauren overlapped with marshmallow. I was trying to find the appropriate answer without worrying you. I am very weary of members of the LEA. Especially when in two's.

Julieann

[onlycrazygal]

i would personally record every word wether it be written or tape recorded, you cannot be pulled up for recording a conversation in your own home......

everything will probably be fine but theres no harm acting with an air of caution!

hugs,

paula

[Tez]

Lauren I don't really think it matters if there are two of them, you're looking for information about their reasons for refusing statutory assessment and details of how they think your son's needs are being met or can be met without a statement. You want information to use against them, so don't give them any additional information that they can use against you without coming away and thinking about it first. You can always go back to them after the meeting with the additional information if it seems appropriate or necessary. Our LEA officer is really good at sitting back and giving nothing away, but trying to draw everything out of you, just try and use this method yourself.

 

I always record my meetings with the LEA. I always ask first though and put the dictaphone clearly down on the table. I usually say it's because I have similar difficulties to A and struggle to process all the information at the time. I've never had any objections.

 

Good Luck next week with the meeting. Let us know how you get on.

[PinkSapphireAngel]

Hun I think you should not let them intimidate you by bringning 2 of the geniuses, just see it for the tactic it most likely is and just focus on what you want/need from them.

Its great PP will be there too (I would be tempted to also have a friend there to take notes for you too.

 

Hope it goes well for you.

[aro]

It's good you will have support too! I wonder whether it might just be their policy not to sent unaccompanied females to private houses? May be they've had problems in the past! Just a thought!

Hope it goes well,

Anna x

[Kazzen161]

When the LEA officer came to my friend's house, he declined a cup of tea (I wonder why? lol!). We were planning to block his car in, and not let him go til he had given in!

 

 

Karen

[Flora]

Thanks for the replies everyone.

 

The LEA officer has been to my house alone (at her instigation) already so it certainly isn't a safety issue.

 

I believe that she may not have had time to read the very hefty pack of paper work I sent her and is probably bringing along someone who has read it! That's my guess as it transpires she's been on holiday; also she only works part time so she probably doesn't read much of the stuff. I had a signed letter off her regarding my request for assessment (prior to a decision being made) but she didn't even know about when I spoke to her on the phone.... taking into account that she knows my family because of my dealings with her about William... it's a bit worrying that she doesn't keep track of what her assistant is doing!!

 

Tez.... your advice is excellent and timely... I was wondering how to approach it and I think you are right that I should let her do the talking and we (me and my pp lady) do the listening and recording. This is going to be a long slog so there's no point in playing all my cards at once.

 

Thanks everyone for your replies

 

Lauren X

[Bagpuss]

Good luck with the meeting Lauren <'>

[kelima]

I hope you don't mind me joining in on the conversation.I don't have a child with ASD but do have a child with visual perceptual processing probs & dyslexia & have in past been turned down by LEA for stat assess& had to go through Sendist to apply for MDA- we ended up obtaining a full time statement & daughter's school was also found guilty of disability discrimination under DDA. I have worked as LSA in school & know how often the system lets children down. I think the advice about writing every down is very good, makes them more careful about what they say. Also, I don't know your child's circumstances but it may be worth checking under the DDA that every reasonable adjustment is being made & that your child is not being unfairly disadvantaged in any way. The Disability Rights Commission are very helpful & IPSEA.

Stick to your guns & don't feel threatened by there being two of them coming, maybe they're not feeling that confident with their decision!!

Stick to your guns & fight them all the way until you get what you think is right for your child. It's can be very tough & stressful but sadly from my own personal experience & from another friend whose child 's asperger's it's the only way, very unfair & wrong I know.

Wishing you all the best for the meeting

[Kazzen161]

>>This is going to be a long slog so there's no point in playing all my cards at once.

 

Definitely agree with this one - it is rare for the LEA to be totally upfront with you, so it is best to keep a few surprises in store for them - lol!

 

Karen

[Flora]

I hope you don't mind me joining in on the conversation.I don't have a child with ASD but do have a child with visual perceptual processing probs & dyslexia & have in past been turned down by LEA for stat assess&

 

Kelima... actually that's very useful. Luke's initial dx was semantic pragmatic language disorder, autistic tendencies and specific learning difficulties. He is most certainly on the autistic spectrum but as he gets older his main problems are dyslexia, visual perception difficulties, and most likely dyscalculia. He has many autistic 'ways'... but on the whole functions very well. After an initial delay of speech and language he has excellent expressive language but still has a few pragmatic difficulties. He has obsessions and fixations, is very stubborn, and is at least 4 years behind his peer group accademically. It's not the ASD I'm seeking the statement for, it's for his learning difficulties which are in every area of the curriculum; maths being the most affected even in light of his dx of dyslexia.

 

Lauren

[kelima]

Hi Lauren

If it's of any help...in my daughter's case, our original concern was that she may be dyslexic & that was poo-pooed by school. During first few years we couldn't afford a private assessment. Eventually we were able to get her assessed privately & it was comfirmed she was dyslexic & various recommendations were made. The school said report was irrelevant!!By this time she was approaching secondary school. LEA refused stat assessment said her needs could be met.She was nearly 4 years behind also. She was diagnosed at same time to have visual perceptual problems(double vision, pattern glare, sensitive to light etc & was prescribed filter colour lenses. It was recommended that she had print enlarged, double spaced & produced on coloured paper & red font etc. It was on the grounds of her visual perceptual problems that we were able to get an mda through sendist & that her school was found guilty of disability discrimination because they did not produce work in the desired medium. Following the mda she was statemented 32.5 hours (by this time she was at secondary school & we had a supportive Senco who was brill at her job which hepled, she took a lot of notice of our daughter's visual consultant.) Daughter is now approaching year 10 & to be honest has not received very much help for her dyslexia but help has been forthcoming with vis processing & we have had to compromise.She does get LSa help in somelessons to copy board work or scribe for her when vision is poor & so indirectlysome aspects of her dyslexia such as short term memory have benefitted although she has not received specific specialist dyslexia teaching. Many childre with visual perceptual probs can benefit from a specific style/ size of font of by having their work double spaced or produced on coloured paper & from having handouts of board work or one to one help scribing, reading, copying work. In my daughter's case she also has to have access to a dark room to rest during the day when necessary. It could be worth taking each aspect of your son's learning disabilities & how they impact on his ability to learn & how the curriculum needs to be differentiated in order for him to access it. Keep a diary of every thing. Our daughter was always very stressed especially after school, we thought she was just difficult it was only when she started to get the right support at school that she changed & we realised it was nothing to do with her but the system . The LEA's own ed psych said in her report that our daughter's needs had neither been recognised or met throughout her primary years & that this had effected her emotionally. We took her school to sendist for dda to try & stop it happening to others. The school was ordered to undertake training & apologise. However, the LEA were very upset about the disability discrimination, we didn't make it public, but we did find them(LEA) to be very co-operative afterwards! If applicable, it just might be the route you need to take to get the support your son needs and if all else fails & you don't mind the publicity the local press may be interested in your story.

[baddad]

Hiya l -

 

Sorry, bit slow picking up on this one...

 

My guess with the LEA - t!t-for-tat... You've got your PP person there, they want to even up the playing field. Probably the one person you usually see was completely wrong-footed at the thouhgt of you having someone on the sidelines.

 

That tape recorder sounds like a great idea (can i use your dictaphone? ) - No chance of any misunderstanding there.

 

Final thought : the original request was turned down on the grounds that needs were being met. Presumably the wad of stuff you sent in was to indicate the flaws in that assumption? They'll have had all the time since you sent it in to review that and put a favourable 'spin' to it. make sure you review it all again and have your counter arguments at the ready - + a few 'new' angles if you've left any...

 

I know that's all 'teaching granny' and you'll have all bases covered - so other than the above i'll just say;

 

Go get 'em tiger!! and assure you that I'll keep everything crossed (Heeeerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!) on the eighth.

An EARLY post after they've left would be much appreciated - 'cos that everything crossing really really does get quite painful!

 

L&P

 

BD

[oracle]

Hi Lauren

 

I am late too sorry <'> OK so you have PP but putting my oh so cynical hat on I think that you could also do with someone there to take some minutes for you. I am being quite serious. We do this now in our Authority and it's truly amazing the difference just having someone outside of the LEA there writing stuff down can make. The fact that two of em are coming does not worry me because that's what happens here. I see it as a form of weakness in that there is strength in numbers and they feel better when they have back up. It also makes them feel as if they have the edge over you - don't let them.

 

As for the recording make darn sure you tell everyone there that you intend to tape the meeting if this is what you decided to do. There is a MASSIVE pile of poo going on in our Authority because someone taped a meeting and then sent copies out to people. The people attending the meeting were totally unaware that they were being taped.

 

Tez is probably right and this may well be a fact finding and information seeking meeting to help them - so give them nothing. Let them do the talking and then ask for time to respond - time after the meeting. I hate these meetings and it is essential that someone takes minutes for you or at least notes.

 

Oracle

[UltraMum]

As for the recording make darn sure you tell everyone there that you intend to tape the meeting if this is what you decided to do. There is a MASSIVE pile of poo going on in our Authority because someone taped a meeting and then sent copies out to people. The people attending the meeting were totally unaware that they were being taped.

I believe - though I stand to be corrected - that it is not illegal to record someone without their knowledge. It is however illegal to play the recording (or excerpt) to anyone else though ... useful to take detailed minutes of meetings I would have thought ...

Let them do the talking and then ask for time to respond - time after the meeting. I hate these meetings and it is essential that someone takes minutes for you or at least notes.

Yes - don't let them rush you into making a quick response - a long drawn out silence can also be quite a usefull tool at such a meeting - let them rush to fill it ...

[oracle]

You are quite right it is not illegal to tape a meeting or phone call without the person or people taking part knowing about it - but you would not be able to use it as evidence should the need arise. Of course once someone has heard the recording then it's difficult to forget what they have heard And in my opinion if you do tape a meeting without the knowledge of those attending it certainly kicks trusts right out of the window. OK OK so we know not to trust some people anyway but some people would then delight in using this against us.

 

Oracle

[Suze]

<'> good luck tomorrow Lozza hope it goes o.k........suzex.

[marshmallow]

Good luck for tomorrow Lauren <'>

[hev]

good luck!!!!you go girl,fight em all the way!!

[Kathryn]

Good luck for tomorrow, Lauren

 

K x

[summertime]

hope it all goes well for you today

[nellie]

Good luck Lauren.

 

Nellie xx

[mossgrove]

Good luck!

 

 

Simon

[jools]

good luck!

[Flora]

As usual with these kind of meetings my heads in a bit of a whirr. Briefly.... it went as good as could be expected. My parental supporter took notes while the two LEA bods attempted to explain why Ben's needs were being met. After listening to them and letting them have their say; I proceeded to illustrate to them how Ben's needs are NOT being met. I gave nothing new away, just reiterated information they were already in possession of and straightened out a few twists which the school had introduced.

 

I then asked them to quantify and qualify what they would expect from the 5 hours which go with SA+. The answer was that Ben should be getting 5 FULL hours of dedicated support teaching a week; for eg if he was being taught for an hour in a group of 4 children, this would amount to 15 minutes.

 

It was this scenario that they based their 'Ben's needs are being met at SA+' on.

 

I then illustrated to them that Ben hadn't had a single hour of this extra teaching. He'd had, using the above formula, precisely 10 minutes over a whole school year between September last year and July this year.

 

The LEA bods both agreed that this was completely unacceptable. With the knowledge that pp lady was taking notes, the LEA bod then said that she would personally ensure that Ben got the FULL 5 hours per week of extra teaching. I asked her how she would do this, and pointed out that the school were very good at 'talking convincingly'... giving the impression they are doing all they should while doing sweet nothing.

 

She said she is going to request time tables and then regular registration records of each support session from now on. She's also going to ask to see all his IEP's from when he started the school This is going to cause a bit of a stir as the school 'don't do paperwork'. I then produced the IEP which the SENCO reluctantly gave me in June (after I'd requested in writing that one be implemented)... I read it out

 

Target 1) - That Ben reach age appropriate levels in SATS

 

At this point the other LEA bod and the pp lady fell about laughing. Because tragic though it is, it's also a flippin' joke.

 

LEA bod then said she would also request that the school implement PROPER IEP's 3 times a year (with my input) using SMART targets; with 3 reviews over the school year.

 

I then said to her that after two terms of this, if Ben's progress was still not acceptable, that I would be making a further request for statutary assessment. She agreed that if indeed that was the case, then that would be a good idea.

 

So it's all there, with the notes the pp lady took and will be typing up and then emailing them to me. I will then copy them to all who were there and wait and see what happens when the LEA bod visits the school BEFORE the children go back. I'm just glad I had witnessess and note takers.

 

Flora

Edited August 19, 2006 by Flora

[Suze]

, it sounds like it went as o.k. as could be expected, the one thing that did get me excited was your last paragraph , regarding Luke and progress over 2 terms, you could do with them using his most recent test score in eng and maths and re-testing him after the 2 terms using the same test level etc.I,d be surprised if he,d improved and maybe, then is your best shot at a statement , particularly as the lea lady agreed with this.You may find she,s on your side a bit , the school seem to be the ones not doing what they should.If luke had had those 5 hours at school action + just think where he could be now.It would,nt have worked magic but it certainly would have helped.Lovesuzex.

[smiley]

Lauren - i popped online to check how this had gone

 

Sounds like all went well. I agree with Suze - get 'something' about Lukes immediate attainment levels so you have something to compare .........

 

Well done!!!

 

[barefoot wend]

Sounds like it went fairly well - now just have to ensure they keep their promises. I'm sure you will.

 

Best wishes

Barefoot

[oracle]

You did well woman! Now make sure you sit on the blighters

 

Oracle

[Bagpuss]

Well done Lauren, good to hear it went ok <'>

[Kathryn]

Lauren, you did brilliantly by the sound of it.

 

Let's hope they do put pressure on the school and you start to see the results.

 

K x

[LKS]

Lauren you did brilliantly. I really hope that the LEA bods do what they say they will. I wish my LEA took as much interest in what the school does instead of just trusting them Fingers crossed it all works out

[summertime]

well done you sounds like you stood your ground

 

can I just ask though, Ive never heard of SA+ equating to 5 hours extra teaching time but things vary between LEAs. Did they explain whether the 5 hours is teaching time or TA time. Dont get me wrong with my intentions about this question, its my experience that TAs are far more knowledgable about SEN than most teachers... but.. certainly in our LEA 5 hours teaching time by a qualified teacher is equal to 15 hours TA time.

 

My point being if they say 5 hours teaching time and the school is giving Luke TA time (which is very likely) then theoretically she should be getting a lot more

[marshmallow]

It sounds like you handled the meeting brilliantly Well done!

[aro]

Sounds like you did a great job, well done

Anna x