Anyone here from Swale, Kent? Need advice on statutory assessment refusal
Posted by
Elena Goodrum
on 8th December 2009
at 14:40
Hi Jo!
I did a quick search for members located in Swale by clicking "Member directory" on the left side of the screen (in the purple menu) and then selected "Swale" from the dropdown menu.
Here's a link to the results page - not sure if it will work:
http://www.treehouse.org.uk/directory?filter0=**ALL**&filter1=**ALL**&filter2=770&x=42&y=17
You could always send these 3 people a message by clicking their member name, and then selecting "Contact".
Good luck and I hope you find the people/information you are looking for! : )
-elena
Posted by
Elena Goodrum
on 8th December 2009
at 15:27
Yay!
Posted by
NickyB
on 8th December 2009
at 15:53
Hi jojo123
I'm not in Swale, but I have just been through the same issues with Kent LEA and have now succeeded in getting them to carry out assessment. I have been told by more than one person 'in the know' that the LA are routinely refusing to assess and then waiting to see which people will fight. I kept bombarding them with letters and evidence and requested an appeal at SENDIST, and they eventually backed down a day before we were due to have a telephone conference with the appeal judge.
If I can be of any help, please feel free to contact me
Nicky - Community Champion
Posted by
bumblebee
on 8th December 2009
at 16:43
Hi Jojo,
Are you J's mum? If so we spoke on Thurs at the kids christmas party......hi!!
If not then.....Hello and welcome and although we didn't chat at the christmas party, I look forward to chatting very soon!!!! :0)
Claire - Community Champion
Posted by
NickyB
on 9th December 2009
at 03:58
Hi jojo
I don't know about independent reports, as I didn't have any myself. What evidence have you already sent? I sent in every report I had ever had, going right back to playschool, and the school had kept a diary of every incident related to Stuart's ASD, which ran to about 20 pages :o Also, every time I got a new report, I sent it in straight away.
You should have got a purple letter, headed 'County Panel' which tells you why they have refused your request. I would suggest going through all their reasons for refusal and picking out anything you don't agree with. Then write to them and point out why you don't agree, trying to focus on why his current school cannot currently meet his needs. If there's anything on there that's confusing and full of jargon, I might be able to 'translate' it for you! Oh, and send EVERYTHING by recorded post and photocopy it if you can. I called them once and they denied having received a very crucial piece of evidence. I told them I had proof of delivery and they miraculously found it within 5 minutes!!
You could start the appeal process through SENDIST. It looks a bit scary but they are really helpful and it does mean that the LA will know that you're not going to back down.
Basically, you just need to make a nuisance of yourself and (politely!) let the LA know that you are not going anywhere. It's sad you have to do it, but that's the way it works.
Have you had a look at the IPSEA, ACE and SENDIST websites - lots of useful, information on there and you may be able to get some help with form filling etc. Here are the addresses:
IPSEA : www.ipsea.org.uk
ACE : www.ace-ed.org.uk
SENDIST : www.sendist.gov.uk
I hope that helps, and be strong!!
Nicky - Community Champion
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Posted by
jojo123
on 8th December 2009
at 12:26
As the title says really. Would be great to hear from someone in Swale.