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Original poster

To think the local authority can shove it up somewhere..

59 replies

ToastyCat · 10/01/2025 14:54

Hi all,

Sorry to post here, but SN children don't really get many replies, but I just need to rage.

My DS starts school in September - he has a dignosis of Autism, a rare chromosome disorder, global developmental delay, hypermobility, and low muscle tone.

He can not walk, he's very limited verbal, he's still in nappies, he can not dress himself, put his shoes on etc he overstuffs his mouth when feeding, limited diet. Becomes very distressed in groups of people, can be aggressive if space is invaded, and other things that aren't fun.

He has an ECHP in place, and the local authority have decided that a mainstream school can meet his needs even though all the mainstream schools we've visited have said they absolutely could not and if he goes to mainstream school we're looking at heavily reduced time tables and they'd pretty much just be babysitting him.

It's absolutely disgusting, and I'm not sending him to a mainstream school.

I know I can't appeal until they have named a school, which I will absolutely be doing, but is there anything I should do in the meantime?

Thanks all.

OP posts:
BG2015 · 10/01/2025 15:51

Your poor little boy being denied a school place.it's absolutely disgusting.

Have these people actually met your child or even set foot in a mainstream primary school.

I teach in Reception and Year 1 and we wouldn't have the facilities to provide the basic care for your son, never mind teach him.

We have a number of children who have EHCP's in our school and 1:1 support for a couple of ours a day but they honestly would make more progress in a SEND school.

It makes me so angry that these children are not getting the education they deserve, I hope it gets sorted OP.

Original poster
ToastyCat · 10/01/2025 15:47

bellsend · 10/01/2025 15:35

Have you got a social worker or OT? If so, I’d be getting them on the case.

No, we don't. It's never been suggested.

We have neuro paediatrician, speech and language, physiotherapy, specialist teacher, educational psychologist, and senco at nursery.

His ECHP was finalised in August, so there is a review for Febuary.

It's been said on there and in further documents that a specialist setting would be beneficial, but I don't really know how it all works.

OP posts:
bellsend · 10/01/2025 15:35

Have you got a social worker or OT? If so, I’d be getting them on the case.

Firestorms · 10/01/2025 15:32

This is very unfair on everyone involved - your DS, you, the new school staff and the students too.

Have you looked at any SEN schools? Look at independent as well as LA schools. State to the LA what and SEN school can offer to meet his needs vs what a mainstream school can (can’t) offer.

Make it very clear that you will appeal of a mainstream is named in the final EHCP. There is a such a shortage of places that in my LA that rarely get offered without appeal as so parents appeal meaning they save spaces for them.
Do not accept being on a waiting list for an SEN as they are meaningless, places are allocated based on need and usually parents appealing will be allocated before the waiting list children.

Fingers crossed the LA see sense and you don’t need the stress of appealing.

anniegun · 10/01/2025 15:25

the problem is that there is no money in LA's to fund SEND demand. So everyone gets less than they need. But Brits hate paying tax for other people's benefits so that is where we are.

Ilovethewild · 10/01/2025 15:22

And yes it’s always to save money, but also SEN places are so high in demand! LA force schools to provide ‘specialist provision’ onsite, but it can never match what specialist schools provide

Ilovethewild · 10/01/2025 15:21

is the EHCP up to date? Did EP or OT spell out on it the needs of child (that can only be met in specialist school?). is it only placement that needs Changing on EHCP?

its standard that mainstream is offered only.

have u annual/emergency review done recently?

appeal, it’s possible LA will back down b4 tribunal, but agree its a nightmare and hugely stressful

have you identified the school you want? Does child meet criteria? Have u asked SEND team to consult?

good luck,

Original poster
ToastyCat · 10/01/2025 15:15

Thank you.

I'm just so mad and whilst I appreciate costs, and limited spaces and whatever else, but I just can't see how they've come to this decision.

It's not in the best interest of my child. I suspect it's to save money really.

OP posts:
littlemousebigcheese · 10/01/2025 14:55

I'm so sorry you're going through this, it's so stressful. No advice but wanted to send a hug and support x