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SEN

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.

OP posts:
Ellie56 · 15/12/2019 11:27

Why is he on a reduced timetable? School shouldn't be asking you to pick him up early. This is a cop out because they can't meet his needs and as PP said illegal exclusion. Unfortunately this happens a lot with children with SEN.

You need to apply for an EHC Needs assessment citing the behaviour issues in school, the part time timetable and the frequent unlawful exclusions. Your child is entitled to a full time education just as much as any other child.

Information here:
www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

And yes there would be no harm in seeing what TAF have to say and offer. In any case it's always wise to be seen to be co operating with schools and local authorities, even if what they are offering or suggesting seems dubious and doesn't seem to fit what your child needs.

Also information on exclusion:
www.ipsea.org.uk/pages/category/exclusion-from-school

Original poster
Xo94 · 14/12/2019 22:34

They aren't officially excluding him. He's on a reduced timetable but they tend to ask me to pick him up before his time at school ends on a number of occasions. So would Taf be quite helpful in getting him seen quicker by the correct people?

OP posts:
10brokengreenbottles · 14/12/2019 21:40

When the school are asking you to pick DS up are they formal exclusions? Or illegal informal ones?

It sounds as though you need to apply for an EHCP.

TAFs usually involve more than one agency - school(s), health, children's services, housing etc. Whatever services are involved with your family, or what services you would benefit from being involved.

Original poster
Xo94 · 14/12/2019 18:44

Thanks for your message. His difficult behaviour is mainly school based, angry outbursts ect. I recently expressed my concerns that the school aren't able to fully deal with his behaviour as they are calling me up frequently to pick him up and that's when they offered me the meeting with them and TAF.

OP posts:
BackforGood · 14/12/2019 18:17

Well, in theory getting additional support has got to be a good thing.
TAF is literally - Team Around the Family. The idea is they will look at what might be available locally to support you as a whole family, as a child with additional needs can impact a lot on the whole family dynamics, and, sometimes it works the other way in that family life can impact on the child's attention / or sleep / or behaviour / or mutism / etc etc etc

Obviously, I don't know anything about your family situation or about your ds's needs, but, with all public services being so stretched, I'd be delighted I was being offered anything, tbh.