[senco-forum] (no subject)

Hi Aaron -- LAs cannot have blanket policies limiting the amount to which statemented provision is funded. That would be unlawful and there is much case law to confirm this. If a notional formilated amount of funds is devolved to the school as part of a block of delegated funds -- to include statemented provison as well as SA and SA+ -- or if a set amount is devolved once the statement is issued --?the amount it provides to fund the child's statement should of course be utilised fully. But if this isn't sufficient the LA must add whatever extra funding is required (or provide the additional staffing centrally). The school should not starve other children of provision to fund fully a statemented child's provision.

?

The key here is for the parent to ensure that the finalised statement is specific about provision in Part 3 -- and that it?quantifies the type and amount of staffing as professionally advised -- and that that advice is in the appendices. Sometimes this requires lodging an appeal to the SENDIST -- and even for the parent to commission an independent EP or specialist assessment that advises clearly the provision required.

?

You can assist the parents by statng cearly in your Education Report,?the timetabled TA support (in hours) that the child will require.?If the EP / advisory specialists also quantify the type of provision they are qualified to recommend in their reports -- the LA should seek to?implement that advice with specification in the statement?-- if they don't a Tribunal Appeal Panel most likely will order that provision evidentially required. 

?

Many LAs are notorious for seeking to restrict their advisors from giving written advice specifying type and quantity of provision -- and then issuing vague statements. If this happens the appeal system can clarfy and ensure the statement is written lawfully and specifying sufficient provision. Professonal advisors can be called to rhe hearing and provide their opinion about provision. And parents can bring independent advisors if neccessary to provide witness evidence.

?

The law has not changed and statemented provision remains "needs led" and cannot be limited by formula funding arrangements. LAs can have guidance criteria for funding distribution -- but not blanket policies. Guidance criteria must always be capable of being overriden in particular circumstances relating to the individual child within it's particular learning environment. Brendan King (speaking in a personal capacity).

?If the parents want free independent ongoing advice on all of the above -- they can ring and google?IPSEA --

(freephone): 

0800 0184016

Mon to Thu 10--4 and 7--9; 

Fri 10--1 and 7--9?

-----Original Message-----

From: Aaron Watson 

To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk

Sent: Sun, 9 Mar 2008 16:29

Subject: [senco-forum] (no subject)

  Hi I am very new to the job of SENCo (I am just beginning my second year) and am   thoroughly enjoying the job, recently my local authority has really started to   provide lots of training and support for SENCo's and generally the local picture   is getting better.      Saying all that, I recently received the results of a recent statement   application for a student on dual roll and to my dismay it is only formula   funded. The student (year 7) concerned hasn't managed to make it into mainstream   for over year and currently attends a unit for only three hours per day. He has   a record of running away from the unit he is currently at I am concerned that a   FF statement will be insufficient for his planned transfer into mainstream   secondary.    I have until this Friday to get the relevant forms into the SRP. My burning   question is this:    "What's the best approach to making to making sure this student gets the support   he needs?"    A            ____________________
 ______________________________________  Sent from Yahoo! Mail.  The World's Favourite Email http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/nowyoucan.html  

________________________________________________________________________
AOL's new homepage has launched. Take a tour at http://info.aol.co.uk/homepage/ now.