What to do when dla claim refused due to school report?

teabag29

No I rang them and there are 12 people infront of my daughter. They said I should get an appointment sometime in june

merlin68

Most councils only issue bus passes on high rate mobility. My dd can't get one on high rate care. she does however get a taxi to a special school, but it is written into her statement.

Savvy_Sue

You know, since the school isn't being any help, and since she clearly has quite complex needs, I'd be seeing if you could contact the local Special Needs schools. I know your DD would need to be statemented to get a place there, and probably to have that school named on her statement, BUT if you know what APPROPRIATE provision there might be for her, you'd be ready to fight for that shortly ... That EP you mentioned sounds great from what you said elsewhere, I really hope they can help you and your DD get the help that's needed.

Another organisation to investigate would be IPSEA. It sounds as if your local Parent Partnership is being great, but IPSEA may have information on their website that would help you.

jennie-jack

our school report was awful too, they forgot to mention that my child was tube fed, we were then turned down and appealed, they actually asked me if i was sure he had a feeding tube. we apposed all of the points school had made and won on appeal.

good luck it is so hard to deal with all this on top of daily life.

teabag29

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have almost finished writing a letter to dla which I hope to get posted today (hope its not too late). I'm not exactly sure if I have put the right things in it though.

I have basically said that i'm writing re:my daughters claim for dla. I have explained that I am aware they have asked for a school report and that the school have informed me they have filled this in positively as they dont have issues with my daughter. I have said that I have found the school unsupportive since my daughter started there and I find there comments contradictive to what they are telling me. Then I have:

* listed all the bad behaviours that daughter has displayed at school that they have informed me of (I have dates for some of these but not all)

* Listed the things that they believe is wrong with my daughter yet dont seem to see a link between this and daughters problems (e.g. they acknowledge she has a very bad memory yet dont seem to believe/link that she cant cross the road properly because she cant remember which colour light means its safe to cross. Also she refuses to wash and this is long standing but they think a quick word with her about hygiene will sort this problem out....as if i havent tried this and do on a daily basis. Another example is she has an eating obsession which i'm scared of turning into something more serious as she believes shes fat and has started to try and vomit. She has been into school a few times and said ive sent her with no pack up to get extra food but luckily the teacher saw her eating her pack up earlier in the day and knew she was just after more food....they know about her eating obsessions as I have informed them but they dont seem to link what she is doing to that, they think its just a kid tryna pull a fast one and dont see any deep issues in it. My daughter will eat until someone stops her and all her stealing is to do with food. This is more than a child tryna pull a fast one)

*listed all the issues I have had with school where they have let me and my daughter down (i.e. wont see me, dont call back, deny daughter is on the sen register for 6 mths, let her be bullied)

* explained how school were fully supportive and agreed daughter had emotional problems up until the doctor requested for an education psychologist report and their attitude changed and they refused this saying they have other children with higher needs even though my daughter is 5.5 years behind

* outlined that I dont think the schools comments should be relied on too heavily as they clearly dont think my daughter has a problem and havent mentioned alot of things on the form

I have also included a copy of the diary log I have been keeping of daughters behaviour for the past 2 months so that they can see how her behaviour is from day to day and how it affects the whole family. Then i will finish off by saying I have managed off my own back to get an education psychologist to work with her (hopefully starting next week) who agrees he can help my daughter and also that camhs expect her 1st appt to be next month.

Do you think that sounds about right or is there anything else I should put in the letter? Thanks for all the advice, Its a huge help as I wouldnt know where to have even started if it wasn't for this site x

daska

teabag29 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice guys. I have almost finished writing a letter to dla which I hope to get posted today (hope its not too late). I'm not exactly sure if I have put the right things in it though.

Don't post it today, it's Sunday, you'd have to put it in the regular post and you need it to be signed for. If you wait until tomorrow and send it Recorded you'll be able to track when it arrives and then chase them.

Doing it tomorrow also gives you a chance to contact the community school police officer and ask what, if any, evidence might be available for you to include - chances are it will be nothing but if you explain that the school has told the DWP that she's perfect and you're trying everything you can think of to get her help, you might strike lucky. It might depend on how much time and effort your daughter has and probably will cost the officer if nothing changes. Be prepared to give them the address/reference no etc for the DLA application so that they can contact direct - they might be happier doing this than providing information to you.

Vicky123

My son has severe autism and his school have never been contacted by DWP, just as well because schools seem to have a policy these days of talking everyone and everything up. Is school the only people DWP can contact? I didn't apply for DLA until my children had diganosis and medical people on board and although a diagnosis is not necessary for DLA I do believe relying on reports from schools whose main aim is to make themselves look successful is not a great idea.
My son is in a special school, non verbal, self injurous and severe learning difficulties, when I attend annual reviews the only thing I recognize is his name on the front of the paperwork!
Hopefully CAMHS will be the help you need.

munchings-n-crunchings

If the DWP require further information regarding a child's needs, then school is usually the forst point of contact, as the child is there for a large proportion of the day.

It seems to be a common occurance that the school report is glowing, and play down a child's problems. I've always considered this is because they don't want to put anything in writing, that you could then use as evidence for further support.
It must be quite frequent, that school reports are pulled apart at tribunal.

Read thru your appeal letter again.
It's important, that whilst saying about your child's behaviour, it's important to state the extra care and attention they need becasue of this. After all, that is the main focus of DLA. Things like reading ages, and accademic achievement compared to her peer group are not factors when considering an award. Always think Care, Attention, Supervision, and apply them to your daughter. Look at the Decision Makers Guide, to understand these terms.
http://www.benefitsnow.co.uk

Just one little piece of advice, and I know this is hard.
Try to avoid being confrontational with school. Always try and give the impression you are wanting to work with them, for the best outcomes for your daughter.
It's so easy to go in all guns blazing, and you result in getting nowhere, and the relationship breaks down.

Look at what else you can do for yourself.
I would suggest making your own parental referral to Speech and Language therapy. Some of the assessments thay can do, really show up key things that will help towards a diagnosis. For example, my sons assessment highlighted hois use and understanding of spoken language was at and age of 4 years 3 months, when his actual age was 14, so quite significant. S&L can also go into your childs school, a) to observe, and b) to inform teachers of difficulties.

Use google to find your local service.

Regards

Munchie

teabag29

munchings-n-crunchings wrote: »

I would suggest making your own parental referral to Speech and Language therapy. Some of the assessments thay can do, really show up key things that will help towards a diagnosis.

Thanks for this. When dd was younger (abou 5) she had speech and language therapy for a while as her speech was delayed and she spoke with a bit of a lisp but it sorted itself out. Ive just looked up this for my area and it does say they work with children with mild to severe learning difficulties and behaviuor problems so this sounds beneficial. It says your gp can refer you so i'm going to make an appt tomorrow

I do fear in the back of my mind though that exploring all these avenues for help will result in the school branding me as a mother who is adament to find something wrong with her daughter even though there is nothing wrong in their opinion

teabag29

Savvy_Sue wrote: »

You know, since the school isn't being any help, and since she clearly has quite complex needs, I'd be seeing if you could contact the local Special Needs schools. I know your DD would need to be statemented to get a place there, and probably to have that school named on her statement, BUT if you know what APPROPRIATE provision there might be for her, you'd be ready to fight for that shortly ... That EP you mentioned sounds great from what you said elsewhere, I really hope they can help you and your DD get the help that's needed.

I'm going to speak to the education psychologist about this to see if she can advise as there is a really good special needs school in our next town (about 3 miles away)


Another organisation to investigate would be IPSEA. It sounds as if your local Parent Partnership is being great, but IPSEA may have information on their website that would help you.

Thanks for this i'm just looking through their site now and its very helpful. i notice it says that an IEP isnt a statutory requirement (as the senco argued) but it is recommended under the sen code so I shall be highlighted that at the caff meeting. I am going to email these guys to see if they can advise as they sound a good source of support