Free school meals and back to school for those on pupil premium ( disabled child )

[starsparkle08]

Does anyone know anything about this ?
My son has severe behavioural needs due to his autism , adhd , Tourette’s and learning difficulties . He attends a specialist school and I’m wondering if he comes under the vulnerable children’s category .
I’m so worried as my son is incredibly difficult to manage at home as a single parent with no support at all . He requires 2:1 in the community with carers. I’m hoping to make the use of outdoor space with national trust , staying in will mean I get attacked multiple times a day . I do not work due to my sons many appointments and no holiday club would have him in holiday time. I may not have the work issues other parents have which of course must be a nightmare , however am in a dilemma also due to our complex situation.

And this is why people shouldn't really post threads like this in AIBU because you get posts from people who have absolutely zero idea what it's like to have a child with disabilities but think their viewpoint is valid anyway .

I knew there would be people unhappy that disabled children are 'getting something' others are not.

I'd asked for the thread to be deleted op. You don't need the inevitable arsehole comments.

Boris said kids with an ehcp and kids with a social worker count as vulnerable. So in theory yes.
However a special school near me announced closure ahead of boris' announcement. I'm not sure where the children on roll there will be expected to go to receive their education. The education probably won't meet the requirements of his ehcp. But it should exist in some way. If his school is a special, if it is staying open, it should be open to all pupils, if they have enough healthy staff to facilitate this safely.

We are desperately trying in special schools to work out what we’re going to do to support. Now we know that teachers are considered key workers so our own children can go to school, we’re in a better position.

We're in a similar situation, my son has an EHCP and goes to a special school with about 100 pupils, mostly with autism. I've just spoken to the office and they are adamant that the new guidelines doesn't apply to all children with an EHCP, just those who are looked after or have a social worker. I'm not sure they've got that right, but I appreciate they're dealing with a rapidly changing situation.

My son's not as physical as OP's but today I've already been scratched, thumped and bitten. I can share care with his dad, but other than that we will see no one (no family for miles around), so no further risk of transmission should any of us go down with the virus. I would be incredibly grateful of he could go to school for even a couple of days a week, to give him a bit of socialisation and us a bit of time to work (and not get bitten).

Anyway, all power to all the special needs parents and following with interest to see what other special schools are saying.

sleepyblueocean the irony being that lots of children with disabilities are not in a position to take up the education on offer due to being high risk! Several families with a disabled child went into isolation before anyone else I know.

@lemonsandlimes123
I understand lemons sentiment. That teachers - who are not on the same league as anyone in health care etc - who will effectively be forced to have to continue not to self isolate, to in effect, make the lives of some parents easier.

Teachers haven't opted to be in a front line emergency service like health, army, police etc. Yet consequences are that no doubt they will be at greater risk of contracting the condition by virtue of not isolating.

So to be blunt at greater risk of dying, if things got to worst case scenario. Literally playing with lives.

I know - having just come out of a meeting with our schools, as chair of governors, that the weight of this is going to be on the teachers the ht believes can manage due to what they know/perceive of the teachers' personal circumstances (eg not married, no children) and volunteers if they get any.

How is that fair? If this is happening surely all the teachers including the headteacher (who will sit pretty on his 70k plus salary). Rather than the very well senior management team taking responsibility for this.

Oh and before anyone jumps on the you don't understand bandwagon. I well and truly do with my own child with a range of needs, as well as knowing that this will probably push to of my siblings over the edge of isolated for 12 weeks plus with their children with additional needs. But I also know they feel the same. We're the parents and guess what it's time to parent.

I think it’s incredibly hard for some to imagine my sons exceptional needs. A behavioural specialist has said he’s the most complex child seen in her career . I’m just one person and although his mother I am not super human I wish I was. I’ve stepped up all my sons life to meet his ever changing and increasing needs and to keep him home with me . I’ve been told residential cost is approximately £250,000 a year - his respite home are on the verge of refusing him due to his behaviours which shows a team are unable to support him . I appreciate these are dire circumstances for everyone in different ways - I’m just reaching out for help really as my mental health is suffering greatly . If he is able to access school I will be very very grateful for staff working and of course access to school would reflect staffing as rightly staff will be isolating if unwell . It seems I’ve pushed some people’s buttons which is completely unintentional . I know everyone is trying to put their own families first and I’m not trying to say I’m more important just that this is my situation and what I’m facing

I understand. My son has 2:1 support at all times except that at home I have to try to manage on my own with no training in managing the aggressive behaviour as parents are not allowed to have it.

starsparkle08 I really feel for you and families like yours - and I know quite a few. The specialist school my DD went to, with over 400 students (all of whom will have an EHCP) closed before Boris made his announcement. No idea what will happen now. Many parents struggle with the school holidays when there is usually 1 day a week of holiday club available and a light at the end of the tunnel with a set return to school date. Those who haven't been in your situation or who aren't close to someone who is have absolutely no idea of how hard things can be.

I really hope your social worker comes up with a workable solution to help you get at least some respite during this very trying time.