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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Taf meeting

30 replies

Xo94 · 14/12/2019 11:24

Hi everyone. Recently I have asked to meet with my son's (6) teacher and head of SEN, they've told me that someone from TAF will be there, I've looked up TAF and now I am a little bit confused as to what the need for TAF is and what they actually do, is this a good thing and are they able to help get my son the correct support he needs with his difficulties at school? Thanks in advance for any advice.

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10brokengreenbottles · 22/04/2024 11:14

You would be better starting your own thread.

Unless there is far more to the situation than your post portrays, no-one can force DD to be registered at a school, full-time or part-time. TAFs can still happen DC EHE. TAFs are voluntary, so if you don’t want one you don’t have to, but if there are serious concerns you may find there is further involvement if you refuse.

Why did you deregister?

Askingforafriend11 · 22/04/2024 08:40

I have resent my de registered my daughter - prior to that the school has called a TAF meeting - I have just found out this meeting is still going ahead ! The SS is coming to get the voice of my child but surely half the “team “( school ) are not now involved and should not be making any future plans - the agenda is to get her back to school on a reduced timetable - however i has elected HE .. any advise ?

10brokengreenbottles · 17/01/2022 14:31

Don’t deregister, apply for an EHCNA instead.

Eve2703 · 16/01/2022 06:56

Ok thankyou I shall get on the case, it's all boggling me abit! I havent challenged the exclusions as she is usually upset or teacher hands her over at reception with quick hand over. The only teachers that seem to understand/help her are when shes sent to isolation or a different class. Its literally something every day and affecting my work alot recently. Feel at the stage where I want to pull her out and get some balance back! But she wants to stay as made friends...she just cant conform. Thanks again for advice I will get my head around getting the EHCNA sorted.

10brokengreenbottles · 15/01/2022 21:36

The EHCNA is governed by statutory timescales, you do not need to wait for until you have a diagnosis or for any assessments - the EHCNA includes assessments. If you don’t have to appeal it will take a maximum of 20 weeks.

The school can ask for advice from the specialist teaching service and can apply for high needs top up funding in the meantime. Some areas also have outreach from special schools.

Excluded twice since Christmas suggests the school are not meeting DD’s needs, and potentially aren’t following the exclusion guidance. Have you ever challenged an exclusion?

Eve2703 · 15/01/2022 15:32

Yeah they're has been formal paper work each time. School are at a loss and asked me for ideas and pushing for assesments now but they've said basically she make not stay at school until then as they can take a long time. They gave her a time out card to start and communication sessions just been put I twice a week ...but excluded twice since back from xmas. I asked head of yr about their contact with primary (as they put in alot or sensory things and never excluded) and he wasnt sure of outcome or who spoke to them. Lots of mis communication I feel!

10brokengreenbottles · 15/01/2022 11:10

You can apply for an EHCNA yourself, IPSEA have a model letter you can use.

If the exclusions are formal, legal ones you will get paperwork each and every time. Are the school following the correct procedures? More information here. What are the school doing to help? If they try to permanently exclude without putting additional support in place you would have a good case to challenge it.

Eve2703 · 14/01/2022 20:05

Legal even!

Eve2703 · 14/01/2022 20:04

Hi thankyou, no she doesnt have anything yet but school urged me to put autism assesment through Dr and they were sorting speech and language but no progress yet with anything yet. Shes in a state school. All exclusions have had a meeting before she returns so assume all illegal ones, given for when she walks out of lessons when told off, then it escalates as she wont engage with them and walks around school and emotional outbursts.

10brokengreenbottles · 14/01/2022 18:19

Eve You are more likely to get advice if you start your own thread. Is this a state school? Does DD have an EHCP? DD cannot be asked to leave without being permanently excluded. When school ask you to pick DD up for they all formal exclusions or are some/all of them illegal, informal exclusions?

Eve2703 · 14/01/2022 16:02

Hi, did you have any progress?? I'm in exactly same situation with my daughter at the moment and have TAF meeting soon. Have the school put support in place since then? Was he diagnosed with anything? I'm worried shes going to be asked to leave as they cant manage her emotional outbursts and im been asked to pick her up and many exclusions. Hope it's got easier with you now

10brokengreenbottles · 18/12/2019 11:57

Unfortunately, without an EHCP you would be subject to the infant class rules (except if you haven't mentioned something like your DS is adopted), so unless the school you want to move to is undersubscribed in your DS' year moving schools will be difficult and you would need an EHCP for special schools.

The school are trying to scare you. The police would ask questions if the school had to call them because your DS absconded and Children's Services would be notified, but neither would blame you. They would want to ask about risk assessments etc.

Original poster
Xo94 · 18/12/2019 10:39

Exactly, he's in their care and therefore they are responsible for keeping him safe. It's really not difficult to keep him close by if watched correctly. He definitely needs a new school that are able to support him better, but without a diagnosis I'm thinking it's going to be difficult to get him in the correct school?

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Ellie56 · 17/12/2019 22:02

What a load of bollocks.I doubt the police would see it like that. Hmm

Why would it be at your risk when he is with school and they are in "loco parentis"?

I think I'd be looking for a more inclusive school.

Original poster
Xo94 · 17/12/2019 21:55

He was allowed on the trip but because I was unable to be on standby and collect him if necessary, they said if he attends then him running off and us having to call police is at your risk.

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10brokengreenbottles · 17/12/2019 20:20

Don't bother waiting for a meeting before submitting an EHCP request. There's no need to wait and it's just delaying getting adequate support for your DS.

Ask, in writing, for a copy of the risk assessment that informed the school's decision to refuse to allow DS on the trip and what reasonable adjustments they considered. Depending on the reply you may be able to go down the disability discrimination route.

Original poster
Xo94 · 17/12/2019 18:55

I'm waiting for them to arrange a meeting with the relevent people to discuss that with them, he definitely needs it.

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Ellie56 · 17/12/2019 18:06

No I don't think it's right either OP. This doesn't sound like the right school for him to honest.

Have you applied for that EHC Needs assesssment yet?

Original poster
Xo94 · 17/12/2019 10:26

So son didn't end up going on the cinema trip because I wasn't available to be on "stand by" in case he runs away from them at the cinema... Decided to scare me into mentioning police and social services if he did run away from them. This doesn't feel right to me ☹️😟

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Original poster
Xo94 · 16/12/2019 09:38

He has no official diagnosis, we have been waiting to see what the school are doing, so far they've had advice meetings with the occupational therapist and education psychologist but neither of those have seen my son for themselves. It seems like they are avoiding a lot of things and I can't understand why ☹️

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Ellie56 · 15/12/2019 20:17

You haven't said OP, but does your son have any kind of diagnosis?

Original poster
Xo94 · 15/12/2019 19:56

That's the thing, they are taking advantage I feel, the amount of times they have called because he is having an outburst and actually asking me to keep my son off school because he wasn't allowed on a trip. The recent one is the cinema next week, he's allowed to go but I have to pick him up from the cinema if he becomes difficult. That doesn't sound right to me.

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Ellie56 · 15/12/2019 18:44

School is stressful because they are not meeting his needs. Instead of illegally excluding him, the school should be considering what further support can be put in place and consulting with the LA.

I'd apply for an EHC Needs assessment now. It may be that he needs a different kind of school.

And I wouldn't be accepting the part time timetable or fetching him home from school early without the proper paperwork from the HT. Angry Once they realise you know your rights, you may find they start being a bit more proactive.

Original poster
Xo94 · 15/12/2019 12:37

Thank you Ellie, that information is very useful for me. He's on a reduced timetable because of his angry outbursts at school. However, they seem to be much more prevalent in school, he's very manageable at home and does not often have outbursts when in my care. I think that school is a very stressful environment for him, he's always had female teachers until this year. Maybe the change.

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10brokengreenbottles · 15/12/2019 12:07

Ellie is right. You can refuse to pick him up unless they formally exclude. Putting everything in writing and following up conversations via email will give you a paper trail should you need it. The illegal exclusions would be the first point I would raise at the TAF meeting, everyone will then be aware what the school are doing and it will be formally documented.

TAFs don't always mean you get seen quicker, though sometimes it will, but it should mean the right people are involved rather than being passed around.