Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Daughter refused Sen school so upset

87 replies

CornflakesCorn · 03/03/2025 17:32

I’m so upset, I home educate my daughter not through choice as they wouldn’t give her a place in a Sen school. Well I did an annual review with the LA as I’m desperate to get her back into school I can’t cope with her at home anymore I’m seriously losing
My mind. She even had a visit from a Sen school she’s not doing any learning anymore as my mental health can’t cope with it I can’t do this anymore. Well they’ve only gone and said mainstream! Even after the Sen school visited why I feel like crying! They clearly saw how much she struggles she cried the whole time they was there and didn’t engage at all! How on earth has she been given mainstream what do I do now I can’t keep her at home I’m losing the will to live any advice as I can't cope with her at home anymore I can't believe they've said mainstream
For a child that can't even hold a conversation

OP posts:
Original poster
CornflakesCorn · 03/03/2025 21:57

DrRuthGalloway · 03/03/2025 17:55

What is the EP recommendation on her advice to EHCP?
What are her SEN?
Does she have selective mutism? That one itself wouldn't disbarr mainstream but she would need support, and training for the school

She is autistic, she can speak but she can't hold a conversation she has limited verbal communication she communicates by using echolalia she just repeats sentences and phrases she has heard

OP posts:
Original poster
CornflakesCorn · 03/03/2025 21:56

She didn't see a EP she is home educated that was not arranged by the LA.

OP posts:
StrivingForSleep · 03/03/2025 19:23

The 15 days you are talking about don’t have to have already been missed; it is as soon as it becomes clear 15 days will be missed and should begin by the sixth day at the latest.

suitcaseofdreams · 03/03/2025 18:50

Once you have the final EHCP with mainstream named you will need to lodge an appeal. IPSEA website has great guidance and advice on this.
If your child is unable to attend the mainstream for 15 days or more the LA is responsible for putting appropriate alternative education in place under Section 19 so you should push for that once she's missed 15 days at the allocated mainstream school.

DrRuthGalloway · 03/03/2025 17:55

What is the EP recommendation on her advice to EHCP?
What are her SEN?
Does she have selective mutism? That one itself wouldn't disbarr mainstream but she would need support, and training for the school

Leavesandacorns · 03/03/2025 17:53

That sounds really tricky. I'd appeal the decision.

What is her SEN? If it's something a mainstream school would struggle to manage, as opposed to her being miserable but staying below their radar, as a last resort I'd consider sending her to mainstream. It might be easier to get her a place at an SEN school if a mainstream school refuses to keep her there. Obviously you know her best and are best placed to weigh up the pros and cons of that approach though.

StrivingForSleep · 03/03/2025 17:52

OP can request an expedited hearing on the basis her DD isn’t in school. Still a wait but not a year plus.

woolflower · 03/03/2025 17:49

CornflakesCorn · 03/03/2025 17:43

No I didn't appeal The first time I decided to home educate but that hasn't worked out and I no longer wish to. It's been almost 3 years I can't do it anymore.

You need to go down the appeal route, however it can be a very long process, 12 month + is not uncommon.

They often reject at every opportunity, trying to grind you down in the hope you’ll just give up, but you just have to stick at it.

Was it an LA school or an independent (that the LA would fund)?

Seeing as you had review, I’m assuming you were granted a EHCP but that contents of it is the issue? What sort of provision does your current EHCP outline, for example a 1-2-1 TA in a mainstream school?

StrivingForSleep · 03/03/2025 17:48

You can appeal this time.

You can also inform the LA you are no longer EHE and they must make arrangements to ensure DD receives a suitable full-time education and anything detailed, specified and quantified in F of her EHCP.

Original poster
CornflakesCorn · 03/03/2025 17:43

No I didn't appeal The first time I decided to home educate but that hasn't worked out and I no longer wish to. It's been almost 3 years I can't do it anymore.

OP posts:
woolflower · 03/03/2025 17:42

Sorry you’re having a tough time.

I assume this was an EHCP review? Did you go down the appeal/tribunal route when you first appealed?

Getting a SEN school is very tough, even if the LA approve a SEN school finding a place is near impossible. This added to the cost to the LA, means they pretty much always regret unless there is very very obvious need.

On appeal many people have success, but the barrier is set quite high.

Original poster
CornflakesCorn · 03/03/2025 17:39

The man from the Sen school sounded extremely
Positive and even told me the group my daughter
Would go in so why they now refuse. I just don't understand this I should add she's 13

OP posts:
Swipe left for the next trending thread