School Lea

My 13 year old needs a small class as he has special needs, he is very bright and able but has major sensory issue`s, the only way forward seems to be private education, he does not want to be home schooled, can the LEA fund a placement, i work but am a single parent so funds are tight.

You need to speak to your local Authority, we can't speculate on what they may or may not be prepared to pay for

The only thing I can say is that your Local Authority may consult with an independent school if it's your preference but they won't necessarily name it on his statement. Local Authorities only consider placements at independent schools as a last resort if there is no suitable placement at one of their own special schools.

Speak to your local Parent Partnership, get as much information as you can on how the process works, what the Authority may be prepared to fund but be prepared to take the Authority to Tribunal to get what you want for your son.

http://www.parentpartnership.org.uk/


edit: I should also say my answer presumes your son's is Statemented, if he doesn't have a statement of special educational needs they won't consider funding him.

If he doesn't have a statement, it doesn't automatically follow that the Authority will agree to starting a statutory assessment based solely on a diagnosis, they will need to see other evidence - his academic progress (or lack of), his behaviour in the class etc, assessments by other professionals like the Educational Psychologist etc

2010-11-24 04:02:51 by Kerri

Flash Mob 2011 Homecoming Pep Fest

Work in school which has failed on their duty of care to protect the health and safety of several colleagues. When put this to local county council they say that it is the governors especially chair who is responsible for duty of care. How can this be? It is not governors who pay our wages nor do any of them realise that they are responsible for the duty of care of all the staff in the school. Governors were not informed of the problem. The only governor which new was the chair of governors and he either took it on himself or got advice and none of the other governors were told. How can you then take out a grievance on the governors. On contract of employment it states "our employer is local county council". any advice anyone please at my wits end. Any problems and the LEA and county council pass the blame to governors.

The Governors are legally responsible for the duty of care and, I can assure you they must be aware of this as it is laid down in the Guide to the Law (Governance) that each one of them is issued with on becoming a Governor. The Governors function is to oversee the running of the school and one of their statutory committees is a Health & Safety Committee which must meet at least once a term and carry out appropriate audits. You must also have a staff representative on the Committee to bring up any concerns staff may have and ensure a complete resolution to them. Another statutory requirement is a Grievance Panel where you can take any unresolved problems, especially regarding conduct etc.

So, if you have a problem or concern you must speak to your staff representative (if it is to do with Health & Safety) or your staff Governor (you must legally have at least one) about any other issue. It is then their responsibility to appraise the Governing Body and ensure that appropriate action is taken to safeguard you.

The LEA/County do pay you but their responsibility does not extend to the running and Governance of the school - this lays legally with the Governors and Headteacher.

I can assure you that all Health and Safety issues do rest with your Governing Body - if they will not take responsibility you must put it in writing and send a copy to the Governors Support Office at your LEA office and, possibly, your Union. If your school is a voluntary or aided church school then also send a copy to the Director of Diocesan Education.

I wish you luck, there are safeguards in place for you, so everything should work out!

2006-08-24 14:34:00 by jessica

Price: $22.99

The Local Authority have named an Independent School on Part 4 of my son's statement of special educational needs. Will the LA fund this school wholly,partly or not at all? How does it work? I don't think I could afford it.

Thanks x

That is a negotiable item. Your son is entitled to a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). That means he can go to school without having to pay anything. If YOU elect to send him to a private school, then you get to pay for that, unless the district/county has previously agreed in writing to pay for all (or part) of that. If THEY elect to send him to a private school, you should remind them that it is the LEAs responsibility to pay for it and that detail should be written into the meeting notes of the IEP or added at an IEP addendum to the notes.

Sometimes parents sign up their kids for schools or programs without consulting the school district. They may have understood that education is free or maybe another parent told them that they could. Legally, the district is not bound to pay for services that have not been pre-approved. This is because it gives the LEA a chance to assess the student and determine what is really needed to help him and what is simply wasting money. However, even in these situations districts SOMETIMES just settle a portion of the payment so that do not have to litigate the issue.

Best advise: get it in writing. Ask questions, then get it written down and keep a copy.

2010-10-09 02:14:32 by Just Me

No I have not. Pray, do tell.

2008-12-12 13:24:33 by Richard S

Now they excused the light brown children, and just forced the pink and dark brown ones to listen and take bibles. Who can I sue for this outrage? The headmaster, the school, the LEA or all 3?

When I started secondry school which I think was in 2000 (well I'm 20 so it was around 9 years ago) we didn't have these gideon people come in but at the begining of our first year there they gave us these bibles and I was like what the hell do you expect me to do with this?! It was a secular school as well!

Do you mean skin colour? why did they give out bibles based on skin colour?

2009-09-24 13:30:38 by Friendly Neighbourhood Atheist