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Written evidence from Roxanna Kishore-Bigord

1.     The Committee is inviting written evidence on the following by 14 June 2018: Assessment of and support for children and young people with SEND

2.     The assessment process is being misinterpreted by medical and educational

3.     professionals.  In many cases families are deterred from even asking for the assessment with counter arguments such as the child is too young and would only need this once in high school, there is enough support in school to support the young person and therefore this process would only be a waste of time.  Waiting times for mental health support, assessments for ADHD, ASD, ADD are in excess of 18 months.  The support is not readily available or signposted.  It is a difficult process to navigate the pathways as conflicting information.  Statutory timescales are breached constantly by the local authority with regards to review of plans and to finalise

4.     The level and distribution of funding for SEND provision

5.     It appears there is discrepancy with regards to funding streams.  Personal Budgets for equipment to support education or health needs are often rejected.

6.     The roles of and co-operation between education, health and social care sectors

7.     This again non – existent with each believing the other is accountable. 

8.     Provision for 19-25-year olds including support for independent living; transition to adult services; and access to education, apprenticeships and work

9.     If at 16 the young person’s dreams and aspiration are quashed at this stage due to the inadequate way their transitions form secondary education to post 16 is handled provision for 19 plus will just follow a similar vein.

10. The only reason I became aware of this committee was from other SEN parents.

11. The overhaul of the SEND process was needed but unfortunately has been poor administrated at the expense of families and the detriment of the young person.

12. EHCP needs to have outcomes that do not go out of date due to lengthy timescales to compile and finalise the EHCP.

13. Whilst the EHCP is a legal document often the content an recommendations are not followed and no one is accountable.

14. Young people with needs have a human right to access education and health care.

15. Due to the poor way by which things are being done many young people are suffering with mental health concerns, exclusion from school, bullying, social isolation not to mention the damage the families suffer.  Marriages and relationships breakdown, siblings are affected as well.  If support was in place earlier and readily much of this would not happen

June 2018