Have you thought of trying either the local MP (write a short sob story type letter or attend the MP's surgery) or the PR route. I used to be in PR, so here's what to do. Write a letter to your LEA's Head of SEN (get the correct name, make sure it's all nice and personal) and explain that you have been turned down twice for a statement, yet your son has (list conditions) and has been not coping in school. Tell them how bad it has been, in a few short examples. Tell them you now feel completely desperate and a journalist friend of a good friend of yours is going to write up the story in the Daily Mail once you give a full interview, scheduled in a fortnight. Say she is particuarly interested because David Cameron's interest in disability has made it an election "hot topic", plus awful cases like that of Fiona Pilkington have put SEN in the spotlight. Tell them you really would rather not go down this adversarial route, and that this letter is your one last plea with the LEA to get your son out of home ed and into a special school, where he can do well. Then sit back and wait. They may call your bluff, but every organisation I have ever worked for shits itself at the thought of a going-over by the Daily Mail. NB - if this tactic does not work, come back to me and we'll see about actually getting the fuckers in the Daily Mail!

Hello, I'm sorry about this because I can see you've been all round the house already, but the 'experts' tend to hang around on this board

Thankyou all so much, I will hang in there. I had a call from local Austism team yest asking about my plans and she has arranged a meeting. I put my son's name down for the secondary school he would attend (if any),next year, initially with a few to maybe dual placement with home education, but after a very bad nights sleep and a conversation with my son this morning who refuses to attend a mainstream school, I have decided against it. I am going to push forward for a statement and a place at a special school, failing that I will continue educating him at home.

BUMP XXXX

Thanks so much mums, for just responding! This is kinda nice to be able to just put your frustrations out there and know
you're not the only one feeling like your losing it.
I will hang in there because if I his mum dont, then who will! So hang in there JDIDAB it will be worth it.
I'll let you all know how things go.
Thanks x

not much help but wanted to acknowledge your post. It is rubbish the system fails children so badly. I am sure someone who knows more about the statement process will come along with helpful advice. Good luck and hang in there

Hi, I have a son with Aspergers, Sensory Integration disorder, ADHD and anxiety. We have just being refused an assessment for a statement for the second time so quite fed up! I took him out of mainstream in July of this year because the School he was attending failed him in every way dispite the fact he was on a high level of funding ASD2. I am home educating now, but don't know the best we to help him learn - we have tried formal as a structure to his day is better, but it isn't working with him as his concentration level is about 10 mins, less if he doesn't like what he is doing, often refusing altogether.

I did ask the LEA to consider my son attending a local special school 1 day a week, but this was refused, but was told he could if he was in mainstream - how wrong is that!

Please help me I am a Mother in distress!