llywela: (Dean-notawake)
[personal profile] llywela
Pinched from [livejournal.com profile] agentxpndble, because I couldn't resist the thought of an invisible SamnDean all of my own to keep hidden in under the bed.

Pyzam Family Sticker Toy
Create your own family sticker graphic at pYzam.com


Mum phoned last night to tell me that she has now been awarded Carers Allowance, to go with the Disability Living Allowance she already has. It has taken years to persuade her that she is entitled to the support and should apply. That bit of extra money makes so much difference - she has never had two pennies to rub together, and Small costs so much. She has lost five coats and two full PE kits, including trainers, already this year, and those are just the big things that need replacing periodically.

However, we finally got the result of Small's statement review last week. Now, the statement of special educational needs is supposed to be reviewed every 12 months. It took closer to 17 to get Small's review to panel, and that was only because Mum wrote to the Chief Schools Officer to point out that they had breached their statutory obligation. So the review panel came back and said that the five hours support they fund per week is perfectly adequate for her needs. This despite the fact that every single person involved with her - bearing in mind that she is under nine or ten different specialists, not to mention the various staff at the school - have stated categorically that she needs more support than she is receiving at present. A lot more. The school are doing wonders, they employed a full time support worker because of Small, and are paying for it out of their own budget. But they shouldn't have to - the education authority have a duty to provide that support, but they won't part with the cash. So, the school are contesting the decision, and my parents are contesting the decision, and still more of Small's precious time in education is lost and can never be regained.

Date: 2008-06-10 06:49 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] galathea-snb.livejournal.com
Aww man, the amount of time and energy that goes into getting what Small is entitled to from the public authorities is insane! And in the end it's all at Small's expense. :(

Date: 2008-06-10 09:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com
Stupid, stupid system. :( And then it is heartbreaking when she talks about her brain not working properly.

Of course, she also has days where she believes she is very clever and doesn't need any help at all...

Date: 2008-06-10 08:40 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lusciousxander.livejournal.com
LOL! I love the drawing of your family, especially your dress, and I love how you, Dean and Sam look like you're smirking.

Date: 2008-06-10 09:20 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com
Well, I am smirking because...SAM'N'DEAN!! LOL

Date: 2008-06-10 09:37 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] leloo.livejournal.com
Aw that is so cute xD

Date: 2008-06-10 10:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com
See how careful I was to make sure invisiSam was taller than invisiDean...

I keep 'em stashed under my bed, you know. *G*

Date: 2008-06-10 09:44 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] geordiebint.livejournal.com
Statement review meetings are stupid. I've sat in on several, and the LEA spend half the time arguing against the EdPsych and school staff and doctors etc just because of money.

I hope that your parents and the school win out in the end - it sounds like she is fortunate to at least have a school who is willing to invest their own money in her, but it shouldn't work like that.

Date: 2008-06-10 10:05 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com
Some local authorities won't statement children at all, because of the funding implications. It is ridiculous how hard you have to fight to get anything at all.

And yet then you hear about less needy children who get everything thrown at them, just because their families are so entrenched in the system and shout so loud. There's nothing fair about any of it!

Date: 2008-06-10 11:27 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] geordiebint.livejournal.com
That's what used to piss me off about some of the kids in my last school. Some of them just wouldn't turn up to school because they didn't like it so they got sent on these wonderful courses and trips and opportunities, costing thousands upon thousands of pounds, just so the LEA could tick a box and get their unattendance figures down.

Date: 2008-06-10 06:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com
"Life's not fair, is it?" That is my favourite movie quote. The Lion King. It's just so true! There is nothing fair or just about this world, or the systems we all have to work within. *sigh*

Date: 2008-06-10 04:44 pm (UTC)
ext_14096: (Imaginary Men)
From: [identity profile] agentxpndble.livejournal.com
:::giggle::: Cute. :-)

That's good news about your Mum but augh! How frustrating about Small! I hope that the authority *listens* to the appeal and Small gets the support she needs. :::hugs:::

Date: 2008-06-10 06:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] llywela13.livejournal.com
Teehee. It's actually funny how hard I worked to find hair and outfits that looked right, and to make sure Sam was taller than Dean and them both taller than me... ROFL

It is so frustrating trying to get the local authority to pay for anything. However, on the bright side, the school have assured Mum that no matter what happens, they will never withdraw the support they have set in place and are funding themselves.

Date: 2008-06-10 09:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jayres.livejournal.com
It's great news for your mum that she entitled to more money. :D
I can't believe how neglectful the authority are being with regard to Small. I hope the appeal works and Small gets all the help and resources she needs.

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