Let down by school system

[Slakoths]

DC 4 autistic, non verbal, global developmental delay. EHCP didn't get finished until 5 days before starting mainstream school.
Mainstream school turned round on day 1 and said environment is not suitable, DC does indeed need a special school as we'd said all along (not able to apply yourself the local council have to on your behalf once passed certain requirements like having an EHCP).
DC now attending mainstream for 1 hour a day in a classroom on their own whilst we await response from the special schools.

This isn't how any kid is supposed to start school. 1 hour a day with no other kids.

I am so sorry to hear your experience. I wish it wasn't like this for your child, or the many others that go through this. I hope that the LA sorts this out quickly.

Can school get funding for 1:1? (In mean time) Why is dc not with other kids?

Why is the environment unsuitable? Can they not make adjustments or are they not willing to?

too many autistic children being let down 😔 really sorry you’re going through this.

When you were given the draft EHCP did you not get the opportunity to name your preferred school? You should have, and this could have been a SS. Unless the school is wholly independent the LA can only refuse to name your preference if they can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

You can appeal now. Don’t wait to hear back from school consultations because if the LA don’t name a SS then you may find you are then out of time to appeal.

Also, unless the school is wholly independent the LA can, and must unless they can prove the high bar for one of the exceptions, name them even if the school object.

Even if DC isn’t attending school the LA should be providing anything that is specified and quantified in section F. Are they? When DC becomes CSA they must also provide a suitable, full time education if DC can’t attend school.

If you feel DC can be in school (I know longer term they need a SS) but the school say DC can’t attend more than 1hr they are illegally excluding DC.

You have my sympathies OP. My DS has only ever done a few hours a day for the same reason, and mostly in isolation. EHCP tribunal in December for a specialist placement but until then he is missing out on so much.

Is keeping him home an option? They don't have to start school till they're 5. It may not be but just a suggestion until Special school can get sorted

If CSA DC can’t attend school the LA have a statutory duty to provide a suitable, full time education and anything specified and quantified in section F. If they aren’t you can enforce DC’s rights.

If you feel DC can attend school full time but the school won’t allow it they are illegally excluding DC.

@Thatsnotmycar in my experience, the LA will do sweet fuck all because parents technically have to agree to a part-time timetable so it is seen as a choice. Because majority of parents wouldn't insist on their child going full time when they are being told the school cannot meet needs and thr child is struggling.

LAs don’t do anything unless forced, but parents can enforce DC’s rights - whether that’s challenging illegal exclusions or challenging the LA not providing a suitable, full time education to CSA pupils or not providing what is in F.

Long term part time timetables that aren’t aimed at reintegration are unlawful whether or not parents agree. Longer term pupils should be attending school full time or the LA should be providing alternative arrangements as well as/instead of the part time timetable, so that the pupil receives a full time education.

Is keeping him home an option? They don't have to start school till they're 5. It may not be but just a suggestion until Special school can get sorted

Unfortunately as far as the LA are concerned, out of sight is out of mind. I teach a little boy who did 4 days in Reception and struggled. Mum kept him at home and they left him there until the middle of year 2. Whenever she objected they sent her to look around another mainstream school who would meet him and instantly say they couldn't meet his needs.

Insisting that his local mainstream keep him and make adaptions for him is more likely to keep him under the LA's gaze.

Disgusting. But typical unfortunately.

I've lost count of the number of children that have come to my school (specialist ASD provision) through the tribunal route because the LA didn't want to fund a place. The system is awful and I've had over 20 years now of supporting parents to fight tooth and nail just to get what their child is entitled to, let alone anything more.

I completely understand what you are going through, I'm so sorry.

We actually got a diagnosis at 2 and an EHCP at 3 and special school at 4, starting early a day after his birthday in early January.

Which all sounds ideal but omfg, the attitude toward SS was as though it needed protecting from parents who were hysterical about their child.

Even the deputy head of the SS told us ds was too able for their school and they would look to transition him to MS asap.

Any telling me they had never had a child a child as young as ds, even though children are allowed to start a SS as soon as they turn four.

He's 12 now and still at SS. Academically he achieving around the same as a five year old. So no, not 'too able' ffs.

Keep going, you'll get where you need to be eventually.