Ds ehcp meeting /what do i ask/how to bring up problem

[Ds10]

Ds is in year 5 and I have a meeting today about his EHCP. This will also be used for when we apply for secondary school.

What sort of things should I be asking?

Also ds had a really bad time in year 4. He still tells ne stuff now. The teacher used to shout at him and tell him that's not good enough etc. He definitely did not get the help in year 4 that he should have. And ds is really scared that he could get that teacher again for year 6. And I really don't want ds to go through that again it was awful seeing him that way . And the thing is it's really hard to bring up that a teacher is being this way to a sen child. Because it seems staff get defensive.

So how do I bring it up without being blunt and it sounding bad?

It’s your job as parent to advocate for him. ‘Sounding bad’ shouldn’t be a concern.

That doesn't help

So what are you actually asking? How to bring up concerns from year 4? Surely you deal with the main concerns of the meeting, what DS’s needs are, what supports are in place for the future first, and once that’s settled say that some things are only coming to light now about the lack of provision in year 4 which are still impacting your child, and give examples, and ask for assurances that similar won’t recur? It depends, I suppose, on whether you want some kind of formal investigation into the past, or reassurance that he won’t face them again.

The meeting should focus on the targets that were set in the last annual review and whether your son has met those targets. If he has, new ones should be set, if not, why not and what can be put in place to move his learning forward.

The review needs to look at the provision. Is it working? Is it enough? Is it targeted? Is it specific and time bonded?

It’s a transition review, so there should be discussion about secondary provision. Do you have a school preference, either mainstream or alternative provision? The application process for a mainstream place is different for a child with an EHCP. If the thinking is that a different provision is required, that should be explored at the meeting.

How many classes per year group?
If only 1 there's probably not much you can do re y6 teacher.
However if 2 or more I would say it is worth flagging up sooner rather than later (but maybe not in EHCP review) that y4 didn't work well for your DS and so please if X teaches y6 next year could DS be in the other class.

If the focus is transition it should be about what school would best meet needs going forwards.

Thank you that's given me a good guide. Makes sense.