SEN Tribunal advice please

tilly's_mum

Hi

My daughter has autism, severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviour. She is currently in a autism unit of a special school but as she is 11 she will be leaving in July. The school she has been allocated a place in, although a special school, it is not suitable. There is a autism specific independant school nearby which could have been designed with my daughter in mind. I have just started the appeal process and was wondering if anybody can give me some advice on what to expect?

Thanks

devizes18193

tilly's_mum wrote: »

Hi

My daughter has autism, severe learning difficulties and challenging behaviour. She is currently in a autism unit of a special school but as she is 11 she will be leaving in July. The school she has been allocated a place although a special school is not suitable. There is a autism specific independant school nearby which could have been designed with my daughter in mind. I have just started the appeal process and was wondering if anybody can give me some advice on what to expect?

Thanks

my thoughts go out to you have you heard ispea http://www.ipsea.org.uk/index.htm might be of use .We had a problem with my daughter whom had aspbergers but not severe one of the most depressing things we sawa was the sendist video which are the appeals body . This was desgined to show parents the ropes and has actors playing the parts in the end of the video the la said yes mrs x there is a problem with your child but our schools are filled so there is no point in a statement and in the story this was upheld . Then everybody went on to say how mrs x has her say . In the end with my kid we home educated her which in its self is not easy . We are bout to have my son's statement mess about with he is severe and are expecting a fight .
When dealing with these people however be prepared to be blinded with science on the child medical condition and lied to on prod cure , and check every thing they say .

winnanan

Hi, what about your local Parent partnership? I don't know about Lancs but in staffs they have been very helpful to several parents in the same boat that I know of. Also many law firms will give you an hour or so of free advice, can't remeber the specific website but try googling it. I have a son with special needs so I know what you are going through! Stick to your guns girl!

emg

There is also parent partnership in my area (sussex), your LEA should have the details to pass onto you if there is one in your area too. On a positive note, I recently went on a training day about being involved in tribunals (i work in education) and was told that parents win in around 80% of cases. Good luck!

tilly's_mum

emg wrote: »

There is also parent partnership in my area (sussex), your LEA should have the details to pass onto you if there is one in your area too. On a positive note, I recently went on a training day about being involved in tribunals (i work in education) and was told that parents win in around 80% of cases. Good luck!

I hope I'm in that 80%! I'll contact parent partnership tomorrow - I think we have one in Lancashire.

Thanks

Savvy_Sue

I don't know about SEN appeals but the general advice is to focus on why your child needs to be given a place at School A rather than School B, and not rubbish School B.
I would imagine with SEN appeals then the wording of the statement will be crucial. Ideally, you get the school you want named on the statement, but at transition this is tricky. But if you can demonstrate that what's in your DD's statement CANNOT be provided at School B and CAN be provided at School A, that would help.

A friend has just been a bit canny: her child is currently in Year 6 and will need transport to secondary school as unable to make their own way. The statement's just been reviewed and mum had 'transport to school A' changed to 'transport to school'. When the child moves up in September, Mum will just have to point to the statement rather than start an argument over her child's needs.

outrageous_monkey

Hiya Tilly's mum

Just wondered if you belonged to a local autistic support group? If you do then someone there will be able to point you in the right direction.

I have had fantastic support and help through my local group. They have bought in outside help (a hotshot in special education law) and now it looks like that my son is going to get the statement that he needs.

Good luck

winnanan

Hi again,
Been thinking about your problem, and a few points occurred to me:
you say there is a school nearby which would suit, is it in your LEA? If so, contact the school and talk to the head, if poss make an appointment to go & see him/her, take your daughter with you and her statement etc. If the head says your child fits their criteria you will have some ammo. Some good heads will stick their neck out for you!
Also, if its in your LEA they don't have a leg to stand on refusing you a place.
Have you spoken to the head of your primary school about it, they also can make a recommendation as they presumably know her well! Talk to the school Senco!
Contact the school they want her to go to and talk to the Senco there, if they say they can't cope then that helps you!
Lastly and most important, find out if there are any children with similar problems living in your area and attending the school you want. If there are then they cannot refuse you as there's a precedent! I got my son into a special school in the next door authority this way, I threatened the T word and all opposition disappeared! Good luck.

devizes18193

what is the t word

Savvy_Sue

devizes18193 wrote: »

what is the t word

Probably Tribunal. If they're clear you will take it all the way and not lie down and accept what they offer, they may back down. However I wouldn't say that always happened!

tilly's_mum

Hi

The school is in my LEA but for some reason - reckon its financial - my LEA don't send children to this school. 5 other LEAS do. The school has a fantastic OFSTED and is getting NAS accreditation - so I've got a fight on my hands!! I've been to see all the other special schools within a 25 mile radius and none would be able to cope with my daughter - she gets very distressed, hits out at others and hurts herself by thumping her head and pulling her hair out if she hears phones ringing (even on TV), people on phones, people writing and reading or looking at papers and books! We lived with this for 4 years, been the CAMHS for help and they don't know how to stop it - any ideas would be appreciated.

Has anybody been to a tribunal hearing? Bit worried about giving evidence etc.