Headteacher meeting, awaiting diagnosis

Also, another school won’t fund 1:1 either. Plus any child that really needs 1:1 should be assessed for SEND. It’s clearly needed.

They have flat out said to me they don't have the resources to help her more during the day. That she would need 1:1 SEN support with a diagnosis for that.

This goes against the SEN Code of Practice and is absolute nonsense. I am furious on your behalf!

@WitsHaveEnded they will be looking at suspensions and permanent exclusion for the other girl, there is no way they should be grouping your daughter in that sort of category.

Get some back up from the local authority inclusion team, there's no such thing as exhausting their resources and if that's what they think they should be putting in an EHCNA (education, health, care needs assessment)
No, they can't put her on a 1:1 without funding, but they can certainly give her a key adult to touch base with if shes running late, give her a coloured card that allows her to leave 5 minutes early from one lesson to another, all sorts of things. Ask for a meeting with the Senco.

Do you have it in writing they have said they don't have the staff to support her? That's evidence right there for getting an ehcp.

And with regards the managed move for dd Vs the other girl.

Kids with send cost to support. Those without don't as punishments often work and are free.

Sad but true fact and I've seen it first hand many a time.

This.

Make sure you email everything.

Highlight how an hour detention for 6 minutes late isn't changing anything so what are they doing to support her getting from a to b? You could even suggest the buddy system.

Make sure you have it in black and white that punishments aren't not working and a managed move is for children to have the chance for a fresh start but if this is adhd the issues will follow your dd and it's just them trying to move the problem on.

I'm not against managed moves - mh ds had one from a school that didn't get asd and he wasn't even in trouble. They just didn't get (or accept) his anxiety even though he was under camhs for it.

But we moved to a much better school as I fought the la at every turn and refused to send him somewhere that wouldn't support him and without a plan if what that support would look like.

Their policy on managed moves should not differ from legislation. The LA should be clear when a managed move can be brokered. It’s not up to a school to make it’s own policy up.

Managed moves are increasingly being used for a number of reasons other than at risk of permanent exclusion. Check their policy.

Contact the inclusion team at your local authority. Be honest with them what the problems are. There are various teams within this team who can advise school on strategies, even if there is an ongoing behaviour issue bigger than being late and disorganised.

School can ask for an EP assessment if they haven't already done so. There is also LBAT (I think some local authorities may use different acronyms) they are behaviour advisers for schools.

You also may find it helpful to post on the SEN board as they all have lots of experience.

I am going to sound a note of caution here.
I have worked in many schools and seen many managed moves. I have never seen a school select a pupil for a managed move who
Is often late
Struggles to complete work

I have seen managed moves for kids who
Refuse to work
Disrupt others while not doing their work
Refuse to follow teachers instructions
Truant on site with others and are defiant with staff

I think you are in danger of shooting the messenger. It would be easier to believe they have it in for her and don't want to help a struggling girl who may have additional needs. This is very unlikely. Getting rid of anyone is very tough. They would not waste their managed move on someone who missed lessons and didn't complete much work. There is a lot missing or glossed over here. You need to be honest with yourself if not on here.

Also - sorry about another post! Is she at risk of permanent exclusion? This is the criteria for a managed move. If so, what would be the criteria for permanent exclusion? Unmet SEN is not an acceptable reason. Has she ever been excluded? Not completing work isn’t a reason for permanent exclusion or being late for lessons. I would look up the rules around exclusions and managed moves. The current school must be prepared to take her back too.

In addition, you should be asked to express a preference for a managed move school. They don’t just tell you., That doesn’t mean your DD would get that school, but they are trying to railroad you.

Solidarity OP!
it’s heartbreaking to hear your child described as lazy/ not making an effort when they try so hard all day to fit in at school- it can be exhausting for them just to get through the day. I found the Additude podcast helpful (they have an episode on school meetings- you’ve done the right thing but it’s important to follow up in detail and not let them change the narrative).
Wishing you lots of luck and hopefully there are at least one or two teachers who ‘get’ your daughter and help her confidence (we’ve been lucky that despite a horrendous experience with the head of year my DS had a lovely form tutor who had his back).

I wouldnt agree to a managed moved. If the issue us adhd, it doesnt disappear in a new setting and if the other maintained school can handle adhd then there is no reason why her current one cant. The other school will have all the same funding, timetable etc contraints.

Has she had an EP assessment? Its just things like maintaning focus doesnt just come from having someone sat with you. Lots of children with adhd have rubbish working memory so need their work instructions chunked down, and literally on the desk in front of them because by the time they've looked down from the board they have forgotton what it said.

It is probably best to ask them how long their waiting list is as it will be different in different trusts and also different pathways. I am more familiar with the ASC side of things though one of my dc is going to also be assessed for ADHD. A ND history assessment feels to me like an autism assessment - wiser people here may know.

I am wondering whether you could get in touch with your LA inclusion team. I mean, when you are looking at a managed move, a school is saying they can help no further, yet they can. They have a best endeavours duty as stated in SENCOP. IPSEA will explain this well. Do ask SENDIASS, they can contact the inclusion team for you. Inclusion team should then go to school saying why are you not supporting this child.

I apologies for not reading the whole thread but this lady is awesome in relation to ADHD. soli-lazarus.com/

Poor you and DD, OP, so exhausting. My DS has Inattentive ADHD and dyslexia, his school hasn’t been much better. It’s great for high achieving neurotypical kids but forget bright kids with additional needs. We’re looking to move him to a school where he can do vocational qualifications alongside GCSEs.

I know advocating for them is so hard - it’s clear you’re doing an excellent job for and with DD, give yourself some credit x

Definitely do what someone unthread suggested and email in to ask for a copy of the support plan they are putting in place !
Poor you OP, this sounds so stressful. Hope you get a chance to relax over the weekend x

Your LA should have a managed move policy in their website - see if you can find it esp. with regard to SEND - there is probably specific provision for putting in extra support for SEND first. All schools have a SEN information report also, which should give further info on how they support SEN students

Hi Op, well done getting through the meeting. I agree it would be worth talking to the LA SEND team or the parent advice team - usually SENDIASS. They will be interested to know what the school is suggesting with the managed move and be able to tell you what they think ought to be happening instead.

You might have a chink of light there with DD. She doesn’t want to leave her current school. This could then lead to better timekeeping. I can see she won’t necessarily be great at keeping up in lessons and maybe a set with more help in the class could assist? You said she had been put down a set. Maybe this isn’t all bad?

I can see why you are dreading the future but keep reinforcing the positive. She needs to try and cooperate. Personally I don’t think she should be on a managed move at all. She’s nowhere near being excluded as her behaviour isn’t bad enough. Maybe speak to the LA SEN dept?

They can't do a managed move without your consent, regardless of whether they've taken one from the other school...

Please make sure you follow up the meeting with an email so that you establish a paper trail.

They should assume the diagnosis even before it formally comes through, and should be putting in measures already.

@WitsHaveEnded
It is not necessarily true that Inadequate schools get money because schools have funds allocated based largely on pupil numbers and there isn’t a secret fund for extras. However, 2 years ago is quite a long time. I would be very tempted to look at their Ofsted reviews since then. What does Ofsted say about their progress? Have they become an academy? Do they have a new Head and SLT? What is their SEND policy? Can you find anyone with DC who go there to have a chat with them?

Inadequate schools do sometimes turn into intolerant schools though. You need to be very aware about this trait. Is their Behaviour Policy another rigid one? Sometimes these schools start excluding to make a fresh start (and signal change to parents). So have a look but do your homework.