Megans educational saga continues

You may remember how the LEA denied Megan a place at Nursery. Well, a couple of days ago, I spoke to Megans case worker at he LEA. This contact was prompted by a visit from Megan’s Health Visitor. She was rifling through some papers from a totally unconnected point (nappies if I remember rightly) when Naomi noticed she’d had a letter from the LEA– Naomi asked what it was and Lucy- our excellent Health Visitor- says “Oh, its a copy of the Statementing letter from the LEA.”

Alarm bells ring- we’ve never recieved this letter dated from October 2003. Lucy lets us take a photocopy. It basically says that our opportunity to say anything about Megans Statementing will expire on 11th December 2003. Great. We’re dumbstruck- how could they not have sent us this letter? It closes by saying they will write to us by 18th March 2004 to let us know the outcome of the assessment. Its now way past the 18th March.

To say we’re angry would be something of an understatement. I phone the LEA then and there to see what the hell’s going on. Speaking to Megans caseworker, she says there’s no cause to panic as Social Services haven’t responded to the request for information which they’re legally obliged to provide. No surprise there- we still haven’t even met Megans Social Worker coming up for a year after she was diagnosed.

I explain how angry and let down we feel and demand a meeting with the head of the department. I also insist that I will attending the Statementing hearing- Megans case worker says that is not allowed. I insist. She refuses. I ask why. She says parents are never invited. I explain the meaning of the word ‘reason’ and why what she’d just said wasn’t one. She said it was because many cases were discussed at one hearing. I said I’d wait outside until Megans case was discussed. She went very quiet. I said I wasn’t going to let this go. She then said her superior was on holiday and would get back to me with an initial meeting. I said that was fine but the subject of me attending the Statementing hearing would be point one on the agenda.

I now have an appointment to se her superior on the 16th April where I intend to be as bolshy and high handed as they’ve been so far. I will get the best for Megan and they will supply it.