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AIBU?

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Original poster

SEN betweeners

85 replies

sunshine244 · 28/10/2024 12:49

I've seen a few good posts on social media recently about the concept of 'SEN betweeners' - children that can't cope with mainstream school but aren't eligible for/suitable for established special needs schools.

I have an AuDHD child that fits this category. Huge anxiety and sensory overload led to burnout and school refusal. There are a lot of adaptations in place but ultimately mainstream is too loud, busy and overwhelming. But the special needs schools locally aren't suitable either as they are aimed at children with severe physical and learning disabilities. My child wouldn't get a place anyway.

Aibu to think that mainstream just isn't suitable for some children and that there needs to be a middle option of some sort? I don't think it's good for anyone when there are children struggling so badly in mainstream.

OP posts:
stickygotstuck · 28/10/2024 15:15

@Itsrainingatlast , it's good to hear from the horse's mouth, as it were, that there are teachers who also think that school is currently unsuitable for a lot of kids (and not just SEN ones).

I also have a 'SEN betweener' and I'm pretty sure she would cope fine if she went to my totally ordinary school (30+ years ago).

I do hope the change in curriculum helps - althought too late for mine too.

CoffeeCup14 · 28/10/2024 15:12

Mainstream schools have got much bigger and more rigid, more pressured and more complex since I was at school. They are not great for a lot of children, but particularly neurodiverse children.

I'd like more emphasis on early identification of ASD/ADHD in girls and then the option of smaller, more supportive provision for them, probably from year 5. More like a secondary school education on a primary school scale. It would be more appropriate for a lot of children and avoid EBSA or an EHCP and need for specialist provison - it would also massively reduce the incidence of poor mental health and pressure on CAHMS.

Itsrainingatlast · 28/10/2024 15:10

I have an AuDHD son in Y10; his EHCP has just been issued, but will make very little difference in school. He just about copes and his school are generally very supportive.
I’m also SLT in a secondary school. I’d say that the current school curriculum is inappropriate for about 70% of students, and this is in part the reason for the massive rise in SEN students. Gove’s obsession with an academic curriculum, combined with constant scrutiny and accountability from Ofsted means that schools are little more than exam factories which need strict behaviour regimes which really don’t suit not only SEN students, but lots of others too.
There’s a curriculum review under way at the moment which although will be too late for my son I hope will mean a more inclusive curriculum which will work better for all in the future.

elliejjtiny · 28/10/2024 15:07

Yes. My 10 year old is bright, working at greater depth in maths but with an emotional age of 3. Special school wasn't right for him but he is struggling a lot in mainstream and I am dreading secondary school.

My 11 year old with moderate learning disabilities is thriving in mainstream secondary apart from a few fairly minor issues so it does work for some children.

Jellybeanz456 · 28/10/2024 14:57

I know for a fact my dd will not cope when it comes to high school, she just about copes now In a small primary with lots off adjustments just to get her in. Senco has recently applied for ehcp if its rejected I honestly don't know what we will do for high school.

RhaenysRocks · 28/10/2024 14:35

This is exactly the position my DCs are in. I am beggaring myself to have them in private. It's very small, not academically selective and prioritises all round education. It's just not available in state.

mimblewimble · 28/10/2024 14:32

Yeah we're in a similar position OP. Mainstream secondary has over 1700 pupils. There are some smaller schools but they have less support. No chance of special school at this stage/ no appropriate special school anyway for academic but very anxious AuDHD kid.

TheLurpackYears · 28/10/2024 14:22

Yep, there needs to be be the support for our children at the beginning of their education to support them so they don't crash and burn by the end of primary.

Original poster
sunshine244 · 28/10/2024 14:19

I think if money was spent more sensibly on supporting children with SEN at an early stage it would save loads longer term.

For example there's a child in our school on 1:1 support due to mainstream not being suitable. In a more supportive setting I'm sure they'd cope in a small group.

Resources are currently being wasted trying to push children into mainstream environments that don't suit them.

OP posts:
Bluevelvetsofa · 28/10/2024 13:09

Of course it would be helpful if there were schools that would cater for a range of specific needs and that children with additional needs would all be able to go to one that catered best for their needs.

The SEND budget is £10 billion per year. EHCP provision for children with ASD and co morbid conditions has risen from 50,000 in 2015 to 150,000 in 2023. EHCP provision for S&LT and EBSD has doubled since 2015. EHCP provision for moderate and severe learning difficulties has seen little change in numbers since 2015.

No one wants to see any child struggling in mainstream, or struggling in any provision that isn’t right for them, but the financial situation is dire. I know many parents are distraught about the situation and many children are poorly served.

My DiL teaches in a special school that caters so well for its pupils, that they, on the whole, make excellent progress. But they have a whole raft of specialists to support them and small classes and excellent pupil/ adult ratios. Would they were all like that?