DS has just started at secondary school. Last year the SEN department was amazing, we loved the SENCO, we got great vibes, and made the difficult decision to send DS there in mainstream, coming from a specialist unit in a mainstream primary school.
Then SENCO was suddenly "off" during the last month or so of school. Transition plans that were talked of just didn't happen. Got to school on the first day (following no communication) to find that there has been a mass exodus from the SEN department over the summer. The new (not inexperienced) SENCO and TAs started two days before the children. There is also a new headteacher.
It's been a mess. There's two SEN TAs for the entire year 7. They're hoping to recruit more by Christmas. Nobody had read DS's EHCP, his form tutor had no idea what SEN he had when he walked into her classroom. His teachers were unaware of support he needs.
We have sympathy for the staff who are trying, but are severely hampered by so many being new to the school. However, three weeks into school, there have been many issues and we are by no means the only parents who are unhappy.
The staff seem lovely. DS's form tutor is awesome. We want to make things work. Issues are being dealt with (because we are noisy about DS needing help) but we are very aware this situation is going to take awhile to resolve and DS and other children are being very disadvantaged by it.
Does anyone have any suggestions for ways we can help the SEN department? We have time - DH and I both WFH, running our own businesses, and are generally very flexible with our time. DH is great with people. I'm great with organising. We'll talk to the school about anything we can do, but we're low on ideas at the moment!
Any suggestions?