Long Fight with Education Authority

[groovycaz]

Hi all

just a quick update, had a meeting with school to discuss Sams proposed statement and what my concerns were, ive changed a few things and left others, I was thinking down the lines of only 50% of the week he will get support but its more than that, there will be help from ASD, also someone to come into school every week to help Sam develope his social skills, and another for fine motor skills, so came away quite happy, and although I was wanting more, he does need to mix with the other children and his friends, I really believe his school have been very good, Sam is the 1st autistic child they,ve had there so its been a learning curve for all involved, and his teacher is only in her mid 20s and not like the old school when ASD was not recognised, so shes been brilliant with him and hes happy to go to school, He's driving me mad at the moment with his latest "thing" time and clocks, tells me every 5 mins the time, got 3 clocks all set at exactly to the minute and watches till they tick over and tells us the time again, even opened my laptop the other day and there bang smack in the middle if the screen was a big clock, didnt even know I had one, what a star...Gc

[spotnot]

Can I say Well Done! Have read your thread from the start and can't begin to understand the struggle you have been through.

 

Just as an aside, my hubbie was classed as 'remedial' throughout primary school. Was sent to the remedial class three times a day. Much of the same at secondary school. Anyway he worked very hard with much nagging from his parents and managed to get enough GCSE's to go to college to do a very hands-on practical course. It was here that it was noticed that something wasn't right. He was assessed (paid for by the college) and was diagnosed with severe dyslexia. Straight away provisions were put in place and he sailed through his course, applied to and was accepted for uni, graduated with an Upper second class and is now a primary school teacher and SENCo.

 

Again, well done!

 

Spotnot

[groovycaz]

Thank you spotnot,

Im so pleased your Husband managed to overcome the difficulties he has had with dyslexia, just goes to prove that because you may have a problem with reading or writing, it in no way makes you unintellegent, and your husband proved that with what he has achieved, I imagine you are very proud of him, and so well deserved, I feel so much better now, knowing that my boy will be properly supported with his education, Its gone on for so long now, it took over my life and was my main focus, I will however make sure that the school do implement the contents of his statement,

 

still cant believe that he has one:D ...Gc

[groovycaz]

Hi all,

just being a little bit naughty but could'nt help myself, wrote to Durham LEA about Sams proposed statement and addressed the letter to the person who told me when I was desperate for Sam to get some help with his education and she said their funding was limited and that Sam had been described as a likeble little boy (which has no bearing whatsoever on his educational needs), Ive asked a question about every point of his proposed statement, from what access he will recieve from various bodies to where his 50% of the week help will come from, how much support he will recieve from ASD society, whre and how much access to a teacher skiled in differentiated materials, and how will they help and modify his particular needs, who are the support and health professionals and other appropriate outside agencies are, regarding Sams social and emotional development, "as appropriate", full explaination wanted, "as appropriate "could mean any thing or nothing. and then I couldn't help but stress the point of early intervention, as in my previous letters to her when my child was refused any support and my worries were dismissed, I stated that had

I not had to fight for nearly 6 years to get the LEA to accept that my son needed and was entitled to help from their limited funding, and due to the time that had passed which is years wasted when Sam should have been entitled to support, I wished for a prompt reply , and to ensure that the contents of his Statement are fully explained to make sure that his needs and support are met so that he "if its not to late" can succesfully complete his education... ...Gc

[groovycaz]

Hi all,

just a quicky, I appealed the DLA decision about them taking away Sams night care allowance, they wrote informing they were looking at the decision again, but that when looking at the decision again they would be looking at the whole decision which could have meant that he could lose all his care allowance, I think they add that in to scare people not to appeal, anyway they have decided that he is entitled to the higher care rate as before...Gc

[Bookworm]

That's brilliant news. Are they backdating it?

[groovycaz]

Hi Bookworm, yes they changed it last month so will pay the difference into my account, other's ive spoken to all had their childs care reduced to the middle rate if they had been awarded the higher care rate previously, they must do it to everyone and hope you accept it, I know some do in case they lose their award...Gc

[Bookworm]

My son's is coming up for renewal next year, I am dreading it already, I have to say.

[groovycaz]

Hi all,

just a quick update really, today ive signed Sams SENs, weve had a bit of a battle with the LEA as they didn't answer all my concerns and put into hours exactly what each reference refered to, time wise, ie access to advise from an advisory teacher specialising in ASD etc, Ive needed to know what this means in hours as access to this or that could mean anything or nothing and wanted every thing detailed, I know ive been getting on their nerves with my constant calls and questions, and they have not been happy in the slightest with some of the changes ive requested thay make to the statement, but after 6 long years whats the point of a statement thats of no use to him, anyway, im pleased to inform that my boy has his statement set out and worded in terms that im now happy with, and which will be the best way forward for him, I now know that for 50% of the week the school will be employing a fully trained person with experience of working with children with ASD and Dyspraxia, he's also been having speach therepy and on tues has an appointment with OT. Im feeling very happy now, with the way things are moving and ive explained everything to Sam so he knows why and who these new people are and what they will be doing to help him.

I feel as if im at the end of the long tunnel and the light is shining through. AT LAST...Gc

[mariejader]

fantastic news Groovycaz, it has taken you a long time but I am sure you now feel the hard work was worth it.

[Bookworm]

FANTASTIC news, GC, I am SO pleased for you and Sam, it is so nice to see a positive result. :-)

[groovycaz]

Id ust like to thank all of you, firstly for reading and offering help and advise to me when I started this thread, I did not expect that there would be so many careing people who have helped me through my bad times, ive had so much encouragement from so many people on this site, which is fantastic, thank you all so much, Bookworm you have been an absolute star, thanks so much and the very best of luck to all who face similar battles, for the rights of their children to be educated, whatever the cost.

If I can be of help to anyone please ask..Carol

[groovycaz]

Hello everyone, its a while since I posted on my thread, my son has done really well since he was issued with a SoNs in his primary school which some of you will remember, especialy Bookworm, The school employed a lovely helper who took Sam for 50% of the week, I honestly could'nt fault the school...

 

Yesterday he started his new school and I know i am in for a hell of a fight again

After several attempts to arrange a meeting with the head of SENs (who was off work for quite a number of weeks with a slipped disc) it just did not happen, I had several informal meetings with the liasion teacher from mid term who was supposed to be arranging a meeting, but then it was the sats, then the school trips and they just would not commit to a time, I called last wed and left a mesge on their answer machine and called back on thurs, this time the call was answered and i asked to meet with the head of the SENs dept and was told that they were in meetings for 2 days however my message would be passed on, no one called.

Took my son to the main office and insisted on speaking to the head, i could not "just leave" my son in the yard, had the rolling eyes from the sec, after half an hour he arrived, told me he was in a hurry as he was going to a funeral so only had 10 mins!!!

In that time i was told that my son would not be receiving the same level of support he received in primary school, although some support would be given he said lessons like PE for example would require no support, well he was supported in PE in primary school because he would get over excited and run around the field in all directions, i also told him Sam has very poor hand eye co-ordination quite sever dyspraxia and poor fine motor skills, I said who is going to fasten his buttons and put his tie back on for him after PE because he would not be able to do it himself so, Statement in hand I pointed out that the document i was holding told me what support my son would recieve whether in primary school or secondry school to which he replied, we can not offer the same support as we dont have the resources, I told hiim it was my understanding that the school would be supplied with extra funding for those resources, at that he said it didn't quite work like that and he was sorry but he had to dash off to his funeral, he then tried to tell me not to worry and my son will be fine!!! and that was that

I got in my car and cried

It was just a massive fob off, if they think i fought all those years to get my son statemented and accept the garbage they tried to get rid of me with, they are so wrong.

Today I do not know how, when, or even what level of support he is going to receive, I need to look into whether he will be re-assessed for secondry school, whether his statement carries over from primary, I just knew in the back of my mind that something like this was going to happen...Gc

Edited September 17, 2009 by groovycaz

[mariejader]

Hi Groovycaz, sorry to hear about your problems again.

 

If it was me I think I would be keeping Sam home and making some phone calls:-

 

1. SEN at your local council, advise them that Sam is not getting the level of support he needs and explain your problems to them, also if you are going to advise that Sam is not in school because his needs are not being meet.

 

2. Contact the SENCO at his previous school and ask what transition plans they had put in place!!! it is part of their job to ensure this moves goes smoothly.

 

3. Write to the governing body for the new school, there should be a governor who is there for SEN children.

 

Keep us posted how you get on

[Bookworm]

Oh, for goodness sake, the patronising bstrd! No wonder you got upset.

 

Yes, Mr Headmaster, it DOES work like that. Your school is getting a budget precisely for this statemented child's needs, not for you to use in other ways in your I am sure very flunds depleted school, but that's not this mum's problem.

 

GC, get on to your LA NOW. Tell them what you have been told by the HM and tell them you suspect the funding for your son is going elsewhere than to your son's SEN as specified in his statement.

 

As MJ says, you want to know what transitioning plans have been put in place, if they didn't, there's something seriously amiss.

 

Listen to me: The school has NO right to use Sam's funding elsewhere. Sam's statement is a legally binding document which the school can not just ignore as they wish, so you make sure that HM knows that you will not be fobbed so easily.

 

Write to the HM and tell him that you know that a statement is a legally binding document, that you know that the LA would have allocated Sam a certain amount precisely to cover the needs as described in said statement, that you are highly concerned that he tried to tell you otherwise and that you have contacted the LA to know exactly what has happened to Sam's funding. Also mention that whilst you are sure he is a very busy man, you are the very busy mum of a very special little boy who needs very special attention and that you would appreciate if in the future, you didn't have to wait weeks/months for a very special 10 mns of his precious time. Also ask him to please explain what transition had been put in place between primary and secondary school, what strategies had been put in place prior to the start in secondary, and while you're at it, remind him that you'd like a copy of Sam's IEP ASAP. Specify that you'd like to set a date for Sam's statement review as soon as possible, since it is vital that his specific needs for secondary be examined in relation to what they were in primary and adjusted if need be.

 

Also tell the LA that you think a review of his SoN is required ASAP (when was the last time it was reviewed? It should have been reviewed annually)

 

Any questions, shoot. But go in fighting. Don't be afraid to be rude, this guy was incredibly rude to YOU! YOU know best what Sam needs, so don't let this chap tell you that it won't happen "because that's not how it works". How the f*** DARES he try to talk you down like that? Arggghhh, I am so MAD for you.

 

{{{HUGS}}} You'll get there. You got there before, and getting the SoN was no piece of cake, so you know you can do it. ;-)

[groovycaz]

Hiya Bookworm

 

Well what a week, demanded a meeting with the school after they did not call me back, silly now but what started me on a massive hissyfit was the thought that I was sending Sam into school 1 day last week when he had PE, I was worried about who was going to fasten his top button and put his tie back on for him lol, anyway called the SENCO in tears first, who was quite taken aback as I wouldnt let her get a word in, Insisted I wanted a meeting within 2 days (and got one) as no one from the school had contacted me re: Sams transition into secondry school, called parent partnership who came with me, called the LEA who said that support is not given in the same way in secondry education as it is in primary, however if Sams SoN stated he required 50% weekly support on a 1 to 1 or small group basis then the school must give that support, also called his child psychologist, who had no idea that no transitions were in place and could not understand why no-one had contacted me, so meeting on tues eve, they were ready for me, it was like walking into a fire'ing squad,

 

The senco started by saying they could not understand why I had a problem, and that they believed that I thought they knew nothing about Sam and how many hours of work had gone into putting provisions in place to support Sam as in his IEPs which was produced with several pharagraphs on the back relating to Sam and I was informed that all teaching staff involved with Sam had received a copy so that they had some background information on his SENs

The 1st was read out which I was informed said a lot about Sam in those few lines and did I agree, yes I did and then the rest of the pharagraphs were read out...

I could not believe it, all those hours of hard work that SENCO had put in where he had pharagraphed on the back of Sams IEP were actually just bits of information word for word, copied from his statement.

Thats when I could not stop myself, i asked how many hours it took to copy those snippets of information, and would'nt it have been easier to just give all teaching staff a copy of his statement which would have saved him a lot of time and effort and they would have had a fuller picture of Sams needs...no answer

I was asked why i was complaining now:eek: "what all i want to know is how they were supporting my son" and why did i not contact the school in june or july, I quite firmly told the guy that I had in fact called the school at least 6-8 times to attempt to arrange a metting but he was off work with a bad back (slipped disc) god i hope he was in agony:) and could not get an appointment, then when he returned they were revising for the SATs then it was the SATs then the school trip then the school holidays were on us, I asked why if they knew so much about my child no one had contacted me or my husband to discuss Sams needs...no one could answer....he then went on to say that he had a folder full of information re Sam and to put my mind and rest he had been discussed at length and he was not the first autistic child they had in their school and did i want my son to attend their school, I told them that his statement advised he attend, with support but I was unsure that this was the best school for him, I told them I had no confidence as to their lack of communication and they did not know my child as they had made no effort to meet him before the begining of term, i told them how complex his needs are as his Dyspraxia is quite severe, the head of year said we know more about Sam than you seem to believe when i asked how? because we've been told he said, "who from" i asked, well from his primary school teachers and from the child psychologist and the ASDs, have you I said, thats strange because i spoke to these on friday and as far as they are aware, transitional provisions were in place and no review meetings were due with the school until Nov. ( the psychologist told me he had'nt spoken to the school about Sam and for me to make sure they are supporting him as his SoNs) so without calling him a liar, i let him know he was not telling the truth.

without going on for ever, i know sam is being supported for 45% of the week however i have issues which i will bring up at his review, the lady from parent partnership said their faces were a picture, she said she'd been in meeting where the school had had the parents in tears but i'd given them a run for their money....they've been on the phone twice since then to inform me of updates lol...

It all really made me feel quite ill until that meeting and I will be making sure they dont slip...Gc

[Bookworm]

but he was off work with a bad back (slipped disc) god i hope he was in agony:)

:-D

 

Good girl. Glad to see some badass attitude has rubbed off, lol. You go get 'em tiger. ;-)