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Original poster

DS 14 not receiving an education for 6 months... what else can I do?

39 replies

dontpokethemommabear · 19/06/2024 20:23

There's a back story - big old thread a few months back - but basically, my son was briefly dealing cannabis. County Lines stuff. I discovered it in under a week, reached out for help via Social Services, Police and his school plus other agencies to support us through this hideousness.

I'm a single parent. 2 DS. Ex is an abusive alcoholic and utterly uninvolved. So I do this 100% all the time, on my own.

By stamping on it immediately my son stopped dealing, engaged with services and has come on in leaps and bounds. He's back to the lovely boy he was before his head was turned and I'm immensely proud of him.

BUT - despite all of the information that has come out subsequently, his school responded by excluding him permanently (nothing had taken place in school, only in the community). It was his first offence but they say they have a zero tolerance policy to drugs regardless of the backstory or mitigating factors.

So today marks the auspicious point of SIX MONTHS out of education.

The Local Authority have a duty to provide him with an alternative provision by the 6th day post exclusion... there has been zero contact from the LA.

After the first few weeks and an appeal to the school governors, I managed to get hold of email addresses for the Head and Deputy of the Education department of our LA and sent an email explaining the situation, that we'd had no contact and that my child was in danger of falling through the cracks. This elicited a response and he was given four hours per week of online tuition.

Since the end of March and today we haven't received any further positive interaction from the LA.

I've sent email after email, made call after call and all we've had is inconsistent information.

I've applied to various alternative mainstream schools, I've found him an alternative provision in the form of a construction trade school.

He's a smart boy. His tutor is predicting 7/8's at GCSE for the maths and English that she has 4 hours a week to teach him.

I cannot believe that I am in the position where after 6 months my child still is missing out on the education he is entitled to.

He made a mistake, in hindsight I wonder whether we'd all have been better off if I'd brushed it under the carpet and ignored the dealing just so he was still in school but of course that is ridiculous. He would have got dragged further and further down the path, into that underworld.

I need ideas of how to fix this situation.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
xyz111 · 25/06/2024 21:03

dontpokethemommabear · 19/06/2024 23:07

Yes. We did appeal the PEX. The governors upheld the heads decision.
It was down to one word in the policy...
"The headteacher may decide to permanently exclude a student following a first offence"...

I went to Independent Review Panel.
They have no teeth... the 3 potential outcomes were; they agree with the school and that's that.
They recommend the school reconsider their decision.
They compel the school to reconsider and fine them £4k

When I asked how often the IRP results in a change in outcome for the child... Never. It has never resulted in the child being reinstated.
The school "pays" the fine (comes out of the following years budget (ironically this is a very similar amount that the PEX'd child would add to said budget if enrolled) and the child is PEX'd again.

So here we are... in limbo.

We went to IRP and the school overturned the exclusion rather than get the fine. Luckily another school accepted him so we didn't have to go back to that awful school!! So it does work sometimes.

Flowersallaroundme · 25/06/2024 20:47

If he’s academic and was due to get 7-8s would you really want to put him in a construction programme so young? I agree with previous posters , pursue school 2 or 3 , there might be movement in the GCSE options and not having quite the options he was hoping for probably the least important aspect when the alternative is really narrowing his curriculum with a vocational school. Can you get a reference or ask his tutor or someone who knew his prior behaviour and attainment to phone them (they might be happier to do this informally). Sadly the LA doesn’t have masses of control over some types of schools so it is all quite complicated. I really hope you get something sorted for him for start of school year. It’s really bad that for one brief mistake he’s been out for so long.

Original poster
dontpokethemommabear · 25/06/2024 20:22

Quick update

So I have emailed the same department and named people that I've been contacting for the past few months again. I included the helpful info from this thread and basically told them I was at the end of my tether and they had 5 working days to contact me or I was moving to legal action, ombudsman and a sit in... (ok I didn't threaten a sit in... I'll save that)

I did that on Thursday. I has a very wishy washy response yesterday which shows that the person writing had not read my last two emails at all and also didn't reply to all (I'd been CC'ing our social worker, support workers and 3 other staff members of the LA. Hum. Covering ones behind much?!)

In the meantime, I also contacted our local elected Councillor. This resulted in emails from a departmental director over the weekend, I shared the correspondence thus far and she assured me it was not acceptable and it would be urgently investigated.

And now we wait. Again.

OP posts:
CeasarS · 20/06/2024 12:03

This is awful. Our LA are very hot on making to 6 day deadline. Where the PRU can't accommodate tuition is arranged, often online. Far from ideal, but always "something" and always something in place for keeping in touch with the child for safeguarding purposes.

Can your elected county councillor help?

MistyHedgehog · 20/06/2024 12:00

dontpokethemommabear · 20/06/2024 11:37

@MistyHedgehog it was 10g all packed up in individual gram packs.

The police have taken their time to investigate it properly and the intelligence has helped them find bigger guys further up "the line"

I've been really impressed with the way the local Beat Manager has engaged with us and due to my son's realisation that it isn't a world he wants to be part of, they've opted to move him onto a "Reframe" pathway which means he won't have a criminal record.

I have emailed MP and the candidates standing in our constituency. I've got a friend who's involved in local politics to speak to our County Councillor today actually, so waiting to hear if there's any action from that.

@prh47bridge thanks so much. That is an incredibly helpful post.
It is his first PEX and prior to this he had an excellent behaviour record, popular with his teachers and on track to really achieve well academically. 7-8's across the board. Obviously I'm biased but he is a genuinely lovely boy who would be an asset to any school. He made a mistake but it was nipped in the bud firmly and he deserves a second chance.

Thanks to everyone for posting, I really appreciate every idea, suggestion and reply.

Pleased to hear that OP. Well not pleased that you found the drugs but that you’re finally getting some help as it sounded like you were banging your head against a brick wall a few months ago.

Really hope you can get a school place sorted. Sounds like he made a couple of bad decisions and it’s not right that his entire future is jeopardised as a result.

Original poster
dontpokethemommabear · 20/06/2024 11:37

@MistyHedgehog it was 10g all packed up in individual gram packs.

The police have taken their time to investigate it properly and the intelligence has helped them find bigger guys further up "the line"

I've been really impressed with the way the local Beat Manager has engaged with us and due to my son's realisation that it isn't a world he wants to be part of, they've opted to move him onto a "Reframe" pathway which means he won't have a criminal record.

I have emailed MP and the candidates standing in our constituency. I've got a friend who's involved in local politics to speak to our County Councillor today actually, so waiting to hear if there's any action from that.

@prh47bridge thanks so much. That is an incredibly helpful post.
It is his first PEX and prior to this he had an excellent behaviour record, popular with his teachers and on track to really achieve well academically. 7-8's across the board. Obviously I'm biased but he is a genuinely lovely boy who would be an asset to any school. He made a mistake but it was nipped in the bud firmly and he deserves a second chance.

Thanks to everyone for posting, I really appreciate every idea, suggestion and reply.

OP posts:
Daisy12Maisie · 20/06/2024 10:58

I think having got him out of county lines and dealing is an amazing achievement.

I hope they sign off what needs to be signed so he can get his maths and English and go to the trade school.

MistyHedgehog · 20/06/2024 09:21

I remember your first thread OP. If I recall, you had only found a little bit of weed in his room when you reported him to the school and police. Did you manage to get confirmation of country line dealings in the end?

Back to your current issue, have you tried your MP? With elections coming up your MP may actually want to be proactive and help.

prh47bridge · 20/06/2024 09:14

Assuming this is your son's first permanent exclusion, any school with places must accept him. That is the law. If school 2 has a place available, they cannot insist on attendance at an APA.

The LA has a duty to find a school for your son. They cannot duck this. It is completely unacceptable that he has been out of education for 6 months, during which time, if I understand you correctly, the only provision has been 4 hours tutoring per week. The LA could have used its Fair Access Protocol to force a school to take him even if they are already full.

In your situation, I would make it clear to the LA that, unless they resolve the situation and get your son back into education in the next 14 days you will refer the matter to the Local Government Ombudsman. On the information you have posted, this is a clear case of maladministration.

MrsSkylerWhite · 20/06/2024 09:05

Can’t advise, no personal knowledge.

Just wanted to say what a fantastic parent you are 😊 You absolutely did the right things for your boy. He’ll look back and thank you, again and again.

stilldumdedumming · 20/06/2024 09:02

@CassandraWebb oh yes! I see what you mean! That's the reality really. Sorry I used to be an advocate so I'd hate people to think that once a child is excluded that's it!

BoudiccaOfSuburbia · 20/06/2024 08:40

This is dreadful, I am so sorry OP, and how very badly the system is currently letting your boy down. Back into an education that meets his potential is OBVIOUSLY the best way to keep him back on track.

@prh47bridge is often very knowledgeable on the legal obligations of the education authorities.

itsgettingweird · 20/06/2024 08:12

Have a look at fair access protocol

Therapeutic70 · 20/06/2024 08:11

Phone IPSEA for advice.

Trainham · 20/06/2024 07:58

Election coming up speak to all candidates for help. I found them very helpful as they wanted my vote. It was amazing what support they offered and got things done at these times . I know it should be like this.
Or use complaint procedures for services and if still no response take it to the ombudsman . I know it takes time but they are failing your son .good luck

Funnythem · 20/06/2024 07:58

Sorry if this has been said . Can he go to college I know they can go to college from 14? I thi know it is. I will look it up

SpookySpoon22 · 20/06/2024 07:49

Failing that, I agree, take the second school. At least he'd be getting an education.

SpookySpoon22 · 20/06/2024 07:46

Am getting ready for work so am just sending a brief reply but I'm wondering if it's worth your son sending a heartfelt letter to the school, apologising, explaining how he's learnt from the error of his ways and pleading for a second chance. You've tried everything else so could be worth a shot! Sometimes a child's words have a greater impact. It may not help but you never know!

RedHelenB · 20/06/2024 07:37

Take the second school. Tough luck about his GCSE options, he wouldn't be doing them anyway if he goes to the college you've found. And that college doesn't sound suitable anyway, he's beyond functional skills if he's predicted 7/8 in maths and english.

Lougle · 20/06/2024 07:30

@dontpokethemommabear the 2nd school can only refuse him a place if he has been twice excluded. If he was only excluded once, they have to give him a place if they have one. Full stop.

The third school - have you appealed the refusal of the place? You can appeal even if they are full. I would imagine that the fact that they are offering the GCSE options he would choose is a good argument, plus the fact that school 1 would have influencers of past behaviour. Usually you don't appeal 'against' a school, but in this case the reason you don't want it is highly relevant for the continued progress of your child in maintaining responsible behaviour.

Has your child had a full assessment to see if he is particularly vulnerable to exploitation due to any additional needs?

CassandraWebb · 20/06/2024 07:21

stilldumdedumming · 19/06/2024 21:02

But he should be getting an education from the LEA. The OP should not have to pay for it or arrange it. This is a pretty straightforward document and shows what is going wrong across the country.

www.lgo.org.uk/assets/attach/6271/FR-Out-of-School-F.3.pdf

Oh I don't disagree. But if I could afford it I would be doing whatever I could in the meantime

Pottingup · 20/06/2024 07:07

Agree make a formal complaint and try and get some advice from a solicitor specializing in education law.
If you’re not totally convinced by the trade course you could alternatively ask the LA to pay for an EOTAS (education otherwise than at school) package for him which could include his tutor but would need to equate to full time. This could also fund something like online lessons for his other GCSEs/IGCSEs if you think he’d rather do those.

CastleCrasher · 20/06/2024 06:35

Complain to ombudsman and contact solicitor about taking a judicial review against the LA for failing to provide full time education. Unlikely it will get to court. The solicitor will issue a letter to the LA first (this is part of the process) and the LA must respond to it. In all liklihood they will miraculously realise that there has been an admin error (or other excuse) and put something in place to avoid legal action.

stilldumdedumming · 20/06/2024 05:46

It must be so frustrating and worrying. He's done so well but the exclusion is effectively continuing even now. Anyone can see how counterproductive that is.

You are doing brilliantly but you are going to have to keep pushing I'm afraid. Everything needs to be done in writing (email is fine). And then escalate it if you don't get a decent response.

Can the college of the vocational course push from its end?