To wonder where the F!#k a bright child with SEN who's been "managed out" is supposed to go to school?!?

[WTAFisgoingon]

As far as I can tell there is a massive gap in provision for academically average or above average children who have SEN, for example:

• Local private schools (including the one we have just been "managed out" of) say DC's SEN (basically mild HFA with a tiny bit of other stuff) is something they cannot cope with so "it is in DC's best interests to look for a school with better SEN provision"
  

• Special Needs Schools say DC is too academically able (B grade student, roughly) and SEN is too mild for DC to need a Special Needs school and that "it is in DC's best interests to attend a mainstream school".
  

• Local state school and LA advise that DC's needs are not severe enough to qualify for an EHCP, so they cannot offer any real support. DC would be stuck in a class of 30 in a not very good school doing work a year easier than necessary without much support at all.....
  

Surely there must be many other kids in this position - too academically able or mildly affected to qualify for any sort of special provision, but too severely affected to be wanted in the private sector....... And all I keep hearing is that nobody wants to take DC because its in the child's best interests to find another type of school ........ Well, where is this magic school!? I can only assume that children like DC are expected to fail in their (possibly bad) local states until they are doing so badly that they do qualify for an EHCP!?! AIBU to feel this is the case and feel depressed and cross about it??

[Stripyhoglets]

State school - push for some support from them if she has diagnosed sen, or home ed.

[Stripyhoglets]

Sorry posted too soon. She won't be the only child there with additional needs and they should have learning mentors and an inclusion team and sencos. All these should be accessible even if a EHCP isn't needed.

[arethereanyleftatall]

Why would a state school be 'a not very good school'? Ours is excellent.

[apple1992]

And all I keep hearing is that nobody wants to take DC because its in the child's best interests to find another type of school ........
Except state schools? Who seem happy to take him from your post?

[MariaSklodowska]

What is 'HFA and a tiny bit of other stuff' anyway?

[apple1992]

On re-reading your post, it is sounding pretty snobby...

[GreenGoth89]

Look at summerhill in Suffolk - often a very good place for high functioning neuro-atypical children, a few of my friends went there and came out far more rounded than me!

[MariaSklodowska]

Every state school has a SENCO and SEN provision surely? IME it was very good.

[Thymewarp]

Where are you? There are several private schools in London who do take HFA and support it really well.

[Misknit]

How old is your child? What were their Key Stage 2 SATs scores?

[insan1tyscartching]

Dd aged 13 and has ASD has a statement (to be converted to EHCP) and she is an A/A* student.She has TA support in every lesson,extra time in exams,differentiated work etc.Apply for an EHCP, LA's will dissuade but you are entitled to an assessment of your child's needs.

[kipperydippery]

For fucks sake. Stop with the snippy replies. If you have nothing helpful to say, shut up! OP I am in the same situation as you. It is tough.

Rural location, only one secondary school, which has an even worse problem with bullying than the primary school :(

My DC also has "HFA & other stuff" going on. It is very difficult.

I have no advice, OP you will know how tricky it is. However you are not the only one. I hope things improve for you & your DC soon.

[kipperydippery]

x posted with the helpful replies

[WTAFisgoingon]

Sorry for not being a little clearer arethereanyleftatall, I was not commenting on all state schools, I was saying the one where we would get a place is not very good - we are only in catchment / distance for one, it's OFSTED Satisfactory and is known for being not very good - for most people who are in catchment for more schools it would be a last choice.

Apple1992 well the State school we could get into is not happy to take DC, more that they're obliged to!

[Fairuza]

They go to state school like most other children Shame if that's not good enough for your child but most of us seem to manage.

[MrsOllyMurs]

Totally agree OP - private is not an option for us, but we'd no doubt be in the same boat. DS has similar issues and the support at his Primary School is next to non existent.

[ArabellaRockerfella]

What area are you in? There are some Independent schools with excellent SEN provision. They will do their own assessments and then let you know if they are the right school for your child. I'm thinking Egerton Rothsay in Berkhamspted, The Moat school in Fulham etc

[WTAFisgoingon]

Maria the "other stuff" is not separately diagnosed, but is essentially sensory stuff that means DC can become stressed in crowded or noisy environments (no bad behaviour at all, just feeling stressed).

DC's SATs are nothing to write home about but are perfectly decent - 118.

[NickiFury]

They don't manage in state schools either, because they're pretty shit with provision too.

We had to home ed OP, that was literally the only option left to us and no one cares, they were glad to see the back of us. Unless you've been through it no one understands. They simply can't imagine the helplessness when there is NO suitable place for your child. You just hear the constant bleating of "but legally they have to provide a suitable place". Sure, but what they actually do is snake and twist around to show they've offered a suitable place, even when it's not at all, if one even exists that is and it's very important to remember that for some children, there isn't and will never be "a suitable place".

[WTAFisgoingon]

We are currently in the south of England but would relocate for the right school.

GreenGoth thanks for your suggestion of Summerhill in Suffolk, I'll take a look.

Thymewarp what are the names of the schools in London?

[WTAFisgoingon]

Maria yes, there is a SENCO, but I'm very doubtful as to whether a lot of 1:1 TA help will be provided without an EHCP? The indication seemed to be no??

[WTAFisgoingon]

insan1tyscartching that sounds amazing! Well done for getting that!

I've had conversations with the Consultant Paed who is accustomed to giving evidence for EHCP cases and she told us there was really no way we would qualify. We happened to see a private Paed as well who also agreed.....
Plus, I realise this may make me sound like a total wimp, but I'm just not sure I have the mental resillance (or bank balance) to go through repeated tribunal hearings!

[WTAFisgoingon]

KipperyDippery thank you for the support best wishes to you and your DC too! Are you currently using your one state option with bullying issues?

[Ifonlylovewouldsavetheday]

Visit several state schools, you may see a big difference in attitude to inclusion, the LA could help with this if you ask as a desperate parent (obviously depends who you speak to when you ring). Very best of luck, extremely stressful xx

[Misknit]

Is 118 a mean SAS score?

To qualify for an EHCP the school needs to prove to the LA that they have spent an additional £6000 on the child to assist them accessing the curriculum. It's likely that would include TA hours. Many children get TA allocation/support without an EHCP/statement being in place. It's frustratingly a very chicken and egg scenario.

Therefore, without an EHCP in place you child would have to start at a school and be assessed by the SENCO as requiring support. They would then track the cost of interventions/support structures put in place before submitting the case to a panel who will then decide whether a EHCP is necessary. If it is approved by the panel, it then takes 20 weeks to write. It's a long process. How old is your child now?