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Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

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Teatime club

5 replies

headache898 · 18/09/2018 22:31

Hi there, my DC's school has a massively over subscribed teatime club provision. I have two boys with ASD, both have 1:1s and EHCPs. I'm a single parent and work part time. What are the rules for offering afterschool places to kids with SEN? Can they refuse on the grounds of needing extra staffing resource? I'm not looking to jump the queue but I'm wondering if the school are obligated to make arrangements for SEN kids who are on the waiting list... asking because I hear places on the teatime club list are coming up, what with kids moving onto secondary school etc...

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headache898 · 18/09/2018 22:33

Also, the school has afterschool activities which are offered to all kids and they do accommodate my DC (they make sure they provide 1:1 to those DC who need support at these weekly activities...

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viques · 18/09/2018 22:38

I think the fact that they both have 1-1 support is the sticking point, unless you can find a way to get it funded. Are there any local charities who might be prepared to help, or are your boys eligible for additional funding from the school , maybe from pupil premium if the school gets it for them.

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headache898 · 18/09/2018 23:55

Thank you. They do get pupil premium but I'm not sure how, if it works in this situation.

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viques · 19/09/2018 17:10

Well pupil premium is designed to bridge the gap for achievement, I think supporting and developing social skills for children who clearly have severe needs is a valid use. I would find out from the school how they use pupil premium. If it is being spent on enrichment activities that your boys do not have the opportunity to access like small group teaching, trips, etc then it would be reasonable to request that the pupil premium income your boys bring to the school is used for something that brings them benefit. I know schools can't have a row of piggy banks allocated to each pp child and they have to combine it to make the sums meaningful, but it won't harm to ask.

They should be able to show you exactly how the pp is planned to be used, and be able to access this information immediately. If they can't that is something to raise with the governors because it is ring fenced money that needs to be accountable. Don't accept any crap that it is protected information , it shouldn't be.

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headache898 · 20/09/2018 00:15

Wow I did not know this. Thank you so much for this info. I will start asking a few questions, particularly as the school did provide cover for my boys a few times (4-5 sessions) in the last year. Now they are saying they cannot, going forward because of lack of funding and they don't want to set a precedent, in case other parents demand the same. I'm only asking for 4-5 sessions over the whole academic year!! Thank you for your advice xx