CAPAAS News Release
Lincolnshire parents concerned over
Proposal to reduce the reliance on
statements
For immediate release: 14.04.2008
The Sleaford, Lincolnshire
based support group for
autism awareness
CAPAAS Office
81 Eastgate, Sleaford,
NG34 7UF
Contact:
capaas@fsmail.net
T: 01529 415937
Working title: Improving education for children and young people with autism in
Lincolnshire
Parents and carers in Lincolnshire who have children on the autistic spectrum are concerned
that Lincolnshire local authority is planning to cut the number of statements of special
educational need they issue to disabled children. Local parents and carers are desperately
worried about the impact these cuts could have, as the statement of special educational needs
is an essential part of the process in place to ensure every disabled child receives the help and
support they need to succeed in school.
Steve McGuinness from CAPAAS, a support group for parents and carers who have children
with autism, and National Councillor for The National Autistic Society says
‘All we know at the moment is that the local authority has decided to cut the number of
statements they issue for children with special educational needs. One figure quoted recently
suggested that any child needing fewer than 25 hours support a week in school will no longer
receive a statement. As far as I am aware no other authority in the country has cut
statementing to such a low level – no wonder parents and carers in Lincolnshire are so
worried.’
There is a national trend towards reducing reliance on statements and some authorities
instead use the system of School Action Plus and School Action to ensure children with
special educational needs receive appropriate help and support in school. While this in theory
could and possibly would work, in order to do so I feel other plans need to be put into place
to ensure that provision is maintained and is adequate enough, maybe some form of
monitoring system should be in place to enable it to be successful, thus instil some
confidence amongst parents of children with Special Educational Needs.
Steve McGuinness said ‘Under the current system, statements of special educational need are
issued by the local education authority following a detailed assessment of the child. They
provide the school with a clear indication of the amount and type of help and support a child
needs to succeed at school.
Parents are concerned that the proposed move towards the school action plus system, where
the type and level of additional help and support a child needs is decided by the school, may
result in reduced help for disabled children. Presently there is no statutory duty to provide
support at school action and schools action plus, therefore decisions may be influenced by
other issues such as staffing and resources, rather than putting the needs of the child first.’
There could be other aspects to consider for example, all children with statements of special
educational needs in Lincolnshire have transport approved by the local authority whereas this
is not the case for children on school action or school action plus.
Facts about Autism

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Autism, or ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), is a lifelong neurological condition which affects
communication, social understanding and behaviour.
One in 100 school age children have autism and 27% of them have been excluded from school, the
majority more than once (Office of National Statistics, 2005).
There are only 7,500 specialist places for 90,000 children with ASD. Only 22% of teachers working
with children with autism have had autism specific training. Typically this training only lasts between
one and four hours.
Facts about CAPAAS

CAPAAS meets on the second Wednesday of each month 10.00am - 12.00am, and the fourth
Wednesday evening of each month 6.30pm - 8.30pm, school term times only. Held at the Sleaford
Foyer. In addition, parent support, information packs and a bi-monthly newsletter are also available
by contacting: CAPAAS Office, The Sleaford Foyer, 81 Eastgate, Sleaford, NG34 7EA.
www.colour-se7en.co.uk or email capaas@fsmail.net CAPAAS form part of the TreeHouse PSP
support project.
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For more information about TreeHouse Constructive Campaigning Parent Support Project visit the
website www.treehouse.org.uk or email psp@treehouse.org.uk