To think the LEA should pay our bloody salary then....

[springintoaction]

Well, not really. But we're so frustrated and upset at our current situation I don't know what to do.

To cut a very long story short, ds8 has had a fairly recent diagnosis of autism and is also gifted. He is behind in social and emotional development mainly and has severe anxiety that makes him explosive in the wrong environment. He's had a really difficult time at school for 18 months and hasn't been full time for a year and now hasn't gone for nearly 4 months as they kept excluding him and his mental health was worsening. He now has an EHCP and needs a new setting.

Small mainstreams all say his autistic needs are too much. Autism school says he's too bright. Provision is poor here. Independent schools are very intolerant and independent specialist schools are all focused on forest school/EBD type provisions which doesn't work for him (we've tried as intervention support). He needs the structure and learning of 'school' but in a quieter, more nurturing environment. The nearest place is over 2 hrs away. He couldn't travel 4hrs a day nor could he board - it would break him and us to rip the family apart - we're what keeps him safe and secure.

LEA have said there don't think there is a school for him. Very sorry.....you'll have to keep him at home and we'll send a tutor in a few hours a week for the rest of his education.....

Apart from everything else (ds wants to go to school, he has no friends at home, we don't want to be responsible for his whole education for the next 10 years and all his therapy requirements - it's terrifying and he's hard work) we need to work ourselves. I've taken a 6 month career break as things were so bad for him thinking we'd get him in to a school by then but I had no idea there wouldn't be one for him. I need to go back to work. We've spent every penny of our savings and we are getting in debt with this 6 month break. Our mortgage is fairly big. We can't afford to move house now and actually, why should we have to? Children without disabilities get to own homes and go to work. I love my career. I can't stay at home for 10 years dealing with everything. I'm absolutely terrified and trapped in an impossible situation and have no idea what to do.

[springintoaction]

The CAIRBS aren't suitable unfortunately. They're within quite large schools and the focus is on getting them into the Ms classes which at this stage he won't cope with (maybe in the future). They've said no at this stage.

[Foxyloxy1plus1]

The issue is that, generally, provision for SEND is crap and getting worse because of cuts in budgets and loss of expertise of TAs and teachers who have/had specialist knowledge.

Some schools try harder, some schools can’t or won’t, some have success and some ar so entrenched in data etc, that individual provision goes out of the window.

None of which helps the OP and of course every child is entitled to access an education. Of course the LA will say they’re providing that through a tutor. If there is a school opening in Newton Abbot next year, is it possible to consider that for the future, when he will presumably be 10 years old. The issue then is, what to do in the interim. There must be a sum of money attached to the EHCP. Is it possible to use that for the therapy needed and to provide 1-1 support in a primary school. I have no idea about the circumstances in Devon, but surely, you should be able to name a school according to the EHCP.

[springintoaction]

If they force us to have EOTAS, I'll be saying they need to pay for our salaried hours during school time or pay for a suitably trained TA or childminder to look after him! They know he has a legal right to be in a school and by not finding him one and forcing us to home educate is against the law.

[Sockwomble]

A friend's child was permanently excluded last term because the mainstream school didn't want to be named on the ehcp. The school suggested the parents home educate but they refused. No special school place available ( and this is a child who has a standard special school profile). Alternative provision isn't suitable so now on home tutoring. The only way out of it is tribunal to force a special or mainstream school place.
My friend works nights so is regularly going at least 36 hours without sleep and looking after a disabled child.
There must be lots of cases like these but I think most people don't have a clue that it goes on.

[StinkyCandle]

Ouryve
I can't believe you don't realise that all children have various needs and the entire school system is not enough to support them. It is scandalous that the kids potentials are being ignored because of the lack of budget and support.

It is a disgrace, but let's stop pretending that some have it easy

[springintoaction]

The school in newton abbot is a possibility next year. It's quite similar to the one that has said no due to him being too bright so I won't pin all my hopes on that being possible at this stage but worth thinking about.

His EHCP money is going directly into the pockets of the MS school he's still on roll at and he's seeing none of it for his education or therapy. School say it is LEAs responsibility to sort out and LEA say it's the school. That is a fight we are in the middle of. Devon have cut EHCP funds massively so even as a 'top tier' he only gets a few thousand a year which isn't enough to provide more than a few hours TA support. To get more you have to go to tribunal. As I said, Devon have just had an utterly disgraceful ofsted due to how children are being treated so things may change in the future.

[Goldmandra]

Have you considered the bases suggested by reefedsail above? If not. Request permission to visit all of those within a reasonable travelling distance.

it’s the LAs decision and once they have named the school the school must admit.

There are reasons these schools can cite for not accepting pupils with additional needs.

Have you considered the option of him attending a local special school which can deliver the therapeutic curriculum and having LA tutors brought in to teach him a more developmentally appropriate curriculum?

Another option could be a dual placement where he accesses therapy in one school and the academic curriculum in another.

You could also look into the option of him boarding two nights a week and attending the specialist school four days a week, i.e. Go to school Monday morning, stay Monday night and return home after school on Tuesday, repeated on Wednesday to Thursday and staying home just on Fridays.

None of these is ideal but it doesn't seem like an ideal solution is available to you. No judge will order the LA to build a school for one child.

Have you considered registering an appeal with the SEND tribunal?

[mumwon]

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfisH5d6eqLOQ1gChtEWbvSbKGE_fXyrZQISRTn9T6ZP-taZQ/viewform?fbclid=IwAR2iTHVgJ3z3GElVpy7AsWJaTjROK0qJMBNDBPt3APtqSYe9f_ZMpAyaCKA

[reefedsail]

Have the CARIBS said no due to challenging behaviour?

There is a real lack of placements for cognitively able pupils with behaviours which challenge others- with and without autism.

In your shoes I think I would go to tribunal for a reasonably adjusted CARIB place (i.e. not focused on MS integration). CARIB might have a few things to get their head round, but I'm sure your DS would not be the only one to benefit.

If you need a model of a MS base which runs 'satellite' classes (small classes each with own FT specialist teacher + TAs with full curriculum offered in base) to demonstrate to casework that it exists and can be done, PM me!

[reefedsail]

*CAIRBS

My head wants it to be carib... like Caribbean!

[Buddytheelf85]

But if there's no provision in your area, there's no provision. What do you expect- the LA to build your son his own school using taxpayers money?? Your son, so you need to move or educate him at home surely.

What a stupid fucking comment. The LEA is legally obliged to educate the OP’s son. That’s the law in this country. We pay taxes for many reasons, but two of them are: a) to educate the country’s young people (our future workforce) and b) to support the more vulnerable in our society. Yet there’s a lacuna in the education system in the OP’s area that means that a child that’s too autistic for mainstream school and too bright for autistic school is effectively being excluded. He’s slipping through the cracks. It’s a disgrace.

As for ‘if there’s no provision, there’s no provision’ - well, let’s shut down your local GP and hospital. And stop your rubbish collection and road maintenance. What do you mean you don’t like it? If there’s no provision in your area, then just move or give up your job and do it yourself, stupid! They’re YOUR health problems.

[Goldmandra]

In your shoes I think I would go to tribunal for a reasonably adjusted CARIB place (i.e. not focused on MS integration).

That sounds like good advice.

You may be told that it isn't how the bases work but a tribunal judge won't be tied down by their local policy and will expect a proposal that meets the provision set out in his EHCP.

[NotAnotherJaffaCake]

I'm sure you are doing this already but you need to shout, scream and make an unholy fuss, ideally involving your county councillor ( education is primarily LA funded) and your MP, and threaten legal action.

Small mainstream primaries are absolutely capable of meeting the needs of your son, they just don't want to.

[SinkGirl]

I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. I have 2.5 yr old twins both diagnosed with ASD but who present entirely differently. I am absolutely petrified about schools already.

Staggered by some of the comments here. Finding the best school for your child is nothing like being refused a school place.

The state should absolutely have to support you if they’re forcing you to stay at home and home educate.

[EvaHarknessRose]

I think there's a huge gap for something like kitchen table or church hall schools (or schools within schools) set up where two adults support a small group of children (maybe with anxiety, ASD or SEN) to access online education and meet their need for routine, PHSE, activity and socialising. There are so many dc not being able to access what they need.

[AzureApps]

How much home tutoring can you get? I am would totally max that in your shoes and look at changing working hours.

[instagland]

I'm pretty sure that legally the LA must provide an education to your child. When you sign a birth certificate, you are signing up for these benefits for your child. They cannot refuse you a place. I would get some legal advice around this.

Hope this works out for you.

[colourrunruinedmyhair]

I noticed you’ve mentioned a few times the smaller schools have no places for him and can’t cope with him, how about the larger schools?

I have a ds (8) with autism and I was of the same mindset to you that he needed to be in a small nurturing school and that was where he would thrive and don’t get me wrong he loved it, the teachers treated him so well, they treated him as nicely as his aunties and includes treated him he’s got a way about him that really innocent and he manages to have everyone wrapped around his little finger really quick.
My ds has severe speech delay but is classed as gifted in mathematics (can definitely outsmart me already) and in spelling, writing, map reading etc. It’s just more the social side of things.

I had to move his school and didn’t want to and the only school taking on was the largest school in the borough. It had good reviews but is huge I was so apprehensive I was looking into home schooling’s bd quitting work etc but I thought I’d give it at month.
He’s been there 2 years now. I can’t fault it and he’s come on absolutely leaps and bounds.

What I didn’t realise about a massive school like that is that it has so much more provision than a smaller school can have the funding to provide.
He has some lessons in his class, then some lessons in a class with children with speech delay and other social problems. They even have provision for children who can’t quite cope in a class and have a sort of ‘reception’ style classroom where they learn more through play.

When I took my son they were quite clear he definitely wasn’t the most ‘needy’ child in school by a long way, whereas at the last school he genuinely was. There are two SENCOs too and he has his own one to one worker too that again the previous school struggled to provide.

If you have brushed aside bigger schools thinking they won’t be a good fit for your child I would strongly urge you to explore this as I was genuinely expecting that this wouldn’t be a good fit for my son and I’d go so far to say that it’s even better than the smaller school for his development and learning needs.

[colourrunruinedmyhair]

I tried two independent and a village school before trying the large one too and none were as good a fit as this one

[springintoaction]

Will definitely look further into specialist bases. It might worth going back to them as a different model. We weren't given a great impression when we visited but I think it was that they didn't want us to like it.....MS schools were the same. Made ds sound like a monster and they would have to exclude him if he did anything wrong. We haven't been to single place that has made any indication that they would welcome ds.

We art making an holy fuss honest. Calling every day, formal complaints in. Constant emailing to all parties etc. It just doesn't move. Everyone is very shocked and saddened that a school can't be found....and that's about it.

[SinkGirl]

I was going to say, if the provision is so bad there, there are probably other parents in a similar boat - what do they do? Is there a home educating community you could tap into?

[TowandaForever]

@blue25

What a disgusting response.

[springintoaction]

Provision is very poor here and a lot are forced into home ed. But usually by giving up on the system so not the same as EOTAS. Despite this, the home ed community is sparse. I think everyone has become a recluse due to the system and these children are getting used to being alone at home. That's certainly the case for ds. 18 months ago he went to school happily every day and went to after school clubs and wraparound care at school. Now, he doesn't really leave the house, see anyone or do anything and that's the life he is used to.

[Bamchic]

I’m not sure if any of these will help, but I know some of them have fairly high functioning/ able students

Cambian Devon school, age 9-19, Paignton: SEN & SEMH Provision
Paignton community academy ages 11-19, Paignton: Mainstream with a really good range of Individual curriculum stuff done, it has the highest number of EHCP’s in south Devon and caters for them fantastically and is an utterly fab school all round, a great feeling on site etc.
St Luke’s High, Ages 11-16, Exeter: Mainstream, with a really high number of EHCPs and lots of 1:1’s and thehighest TA ratio of any school in Exeter iirc. Really accessible and I am aware of kids traveling up to 20+ miles to go there.
St James’ high again 11-16, Exeter: Mainstream with really great work with EBD kids as well as any children with S&L difficulties, as they work with lots of EAL children.
Orchard manor all through, Dawlish: DCC special school, formally 2 schools, ratcliffe and Oakland’s Park I think, it’s a school for cyp with a range of ECHP’s. Admission is solely through the social care 0-25 team though, but I would seriously suggest giving them a buzz about this whole situation because they might offer help. They can be reached on Exeter 383000.

I can offer lots more suggestions if you’d like but I need to sort out supper.
Just shout if there’s anything I can do.

[theWarOnPeace]

How much funding is attached to his EHCP? We had similar problems OP, and settled on mainstream and have essentially created a buffer zone for him within the school, using his budget. They resisted at first, but I made it so much of a headache for both the school and the LEA that they relented, and now he has a perfectly managed day at mainstream school and he loves it. The support he receives now is incredible, and he loves going in every day. He’s also extremely clever and has loads of time and support from school tailored around his special interests. I came to the conclusion that I’d rather mould (enforce the EHCP, really) the big local school to suit him, rather than put him in an inappropriate special school and have to fix all the arising issues at home.