tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6341600979303497005.post2802686078461183647..comments2017-02-21T23:06:04.912-08:00Comments on IPSEA on SEN Reforms: LAs' behaviour is the biggest hurdleJulia @ IPSEAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01965515045243018634noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6341600979303497005.post-16227672950289149272012-11-26T15:03:01.343-08:002012-11-26T15:03:01.343-08:00How very true. I work in a small school for child...How very true. I work in a small school for children with autism in Oldham and part of my job involves liaising with local authority placement officers. I have had two distinctly different experiences with two neighbouring LAs - one fights tooth and nail to block non-mainstream or non-LA special school provision. These parents have an incredibly tough time fighting for the needs of their children. In a neighbouring authority where I am working as part of a Child in Need group supporting a pupil who has been placed in our school, the social work team, Psychologist and LA placement officer are really doing their utmost to meet the needs of a the child. This includes agreeing innovative provision that will actually help the child to work on some of the difficulties at the heart of autism. Its like being in two different worlds. I'm finding that it seems to be down to the individual personalities involved....totally unfair as it makes for a postcode lottery. I think the article above is right - impartial and well informed advice for parents is absolutely key. Its possible to engage with the system and win if you're in a blocking LA but you really need to know how to play the game and who can help you. Independent advocacy at a local level is key....a fact that is unfortunately overlooked in current and proposed legislation.Zoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04470117358751873196noreply@blogger.com