The waiting is killing me!!!

[Ineedmorepatience]

The LA have completed a statutory assessment of Dd3's educational needs!

We had to go to tribunal to get this done but is has been done.

The date for all the paperwork to be in was last wednesday and now they apparently have 2 weeks to make their decision!

That takes us to next Wednesday which is 2 days before she finishes primary school.

It is absolutely driving me bonkers not knowing whether she will be going to secondary with a statement or not.

Horrible, horrible situation, I am going to ring them in a minute to see if they are close to making a decision but not expecting them to give me any info

[bjkmummy]

its horrible isn't it! ive got 4 weeks to go to I get to this stage so at the moment not thinking about it but no doubt in 4 weeks time I will be posting on here in a stressed out state. its such a long drawn out process and the waiting for everything is a killer so you get to the final date and then it seems they like you to wait some more! I though its 10 weeks and they tell you yes or no for a statement and then they have 2 weeks to issue the proposed

[OneInEight]

Hope you hear soon and, more importantly, hear positively.

[Ineedmorepatience]

Nope its 10 weeks to gather the assessments and then they have 2 weeks to make a decision. At the end of the 2 weeks, they must either issue the draft, issue a NIL or say no!!!

I have just phoned them and they said they have lots to do at this time of year and they will get our officer to phone me!!

If they hadnt forced us to go to tribunal it would have been done and dusted by now as I put the Parental Request in early November!!

[ouryve]

Never has your user name been more apt [blackcurrantvodka](I need to get the jar empty so I can make some more)

[bjkmummy]

I put mine in originally at beginning of dec - thanks for clarifying the deadlines so that means then mine have until near the end of august when we will be away on holiday so will have it waiting for me when we get back - joy!!!! heres hoping you hear soon x

[Ineedmorepatience]

Thanks everyone, no call back yet!!

No surprises there then

[Ineedmorepatience]

So, the SEN team returned my phonecall and.....

He is going to start looking at the paperwork tomorrow!!

It is unlikely we will get a decision before the final date which is next Wednesday!!

[ouryve]

I'm amazed he's working, tomorrow.

More

[Ineedmorepatience]

Yes, he did make a point of telling me that he is not striking tomorrow I wonder if he wanted me to give him a medal ??

[Ineedmorepatience]

Sorry for the shameless bump, but today is the day and here I am still waiting!!

I have phoned and been told the Statementing officer will phone me back!!

Need some hand holding

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Here's a hand. I'm appealing refusal to assess, applied in Jan and hearing's in Oct, the process is so slow. Hope you get the news you want.

[Ineedmorepatience]

He has just phoned and said they have issued a note in lieu!!

So back to tribunal we go!! But it means poor Dd3 will be starting secondary without a statement

[bjkmummy]

noooooo! oh I need I was so hoping they wouldn't - its just absolutely pants how they do this to parents and importantly the child.

[Ineedmorepatience]

I know!! It is just a time wasting exersise because they know we will win at tribunal!!

[StarlightMcKenzie]

I'm so sorry Ineed

Bastards. I would get legal advice on this as it might not be the wisest move but I would probably consider not sending my child to secondary until the outcome of the tribunal, on the basis that it is in her best interests to begin her time at secondary appropriately supported and to do otherwise puts her at risk of school refusal and mental health/esteem problems (though of course this also is dependent on your ability to get someone to supervise at home).

You know they'll put up someone from the secondary as a witness at tribunal to say that she has settled beautifully and needs no additional support. Their motivation will be the threat that should the school support your appeal, a good proportion of the funding for it will come out of the school's budget.

It also increases the chances of getting a faster hearing if she is out of school.

[Ineedmorepatience]

I will start a new thread I think

[pannetone]

Sorry to hear about the NIL Ineed. Good that you are already in 'battle' mode. We shouln't have to fight for our DC but the total injustice and time-delaying tactics of the process means we have to.

WhoKnows thinking of you too - you have such a long wait til you get to your tribunal for refusal to assess.

All my evidence for SA is in now for my DD (LA conceded and agreed to assess 5 months after I requested - we were going to tribunal) and I am waiting for the decision. I'm not clear when it will be - I only gave my reports in last week. I should chase it up before the end of term but don't feel ready to deal with 'bad news' yet....

[KOKOagainandagain]

So sorry ineed

Let it fail. The LA are crossing fingers and hoping that it will work that you will make it work

My son was at m/s primary up to year six but failed transition to secondary (very normal for some DC) was out of school for a year but is now in OOC Indi ss (following tribunal). We did not get a statement in time for secondary and when we eventually got one it was only for 15 hours with no salt or OT.

When we viewed DS1's school the deputy head said that the vast majority of la funded DC had been 'school refusers' and suffered additional anxiety that would be overwhelming in m/s. But these are just the same DC that are left to fail and flounder in m/s with no funding statements or NILs

[Ineedmorepatience]

star I just dont know what to do now TBH, I did kind of expect this but until it happens you cant plan

Dd3 has struggled at every transition point and has often not settled until the summer term, I cant see her lasting more than a week at secondary if they dont support her properly!

keep Thanks, i certainly wont be forcing her to go if she cant cope.

[WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes]

Oh no, so sorry. It must be like a kick in the guts (that's how I felt when we were refused assessment and I was totally expecting it TBH). Obviously you need to get cracking on the appeal, but maybe just take a day or two to re-group your thoughts.

Pannetone - thank you, I'm hoping the LA will concede too, my SALT and OT reports are strong and going in shortly but there are no certainties in this.