Devastated DD denied special school

[Sendsystemsucks]

Will be appealing, but just another fight to be had.

DD is primary age dx ASD, ADHD, dyspraxia, dyslexia and language disorder. On a part time timetable. When in school DD parallel learns and spends 70% of her school time with her 1-1 in the hallway on her own. She has been known to hit, kick, bite, throw chairs and run off.

Apparantly mainstream can meet her needs and she doesn't need special school.

AIBU to think she needs special school?

I am fairly sure she needs an ASD school. Her school's wording was that they do not feel there is a conventional learning difficulty but her autism is the overriding issue and it means she learns differently nor can she adapt to learning how NT children

SOSSEN is your friend. They were mine. They fought tooth and nail and provided me with all the resources and support I needed which resulted in my DS being placed in a SEN/ASD school at a cost of £130,000pa for the LEA.

I had to go through months of hell with the LEA, fighting me all the way but less that 12 hours before Tribunal, they backed down and said they would fund his place.

You will very much need to be a "Warrior Mum" and fight for what you know your child needs.

Senior SEN professional in LA here.

Apologies not read through whole thread so not sure if it has been touched on. What were the reasons for the special school(s) to not offer a placement to your child?

Had the EHCP been finalised naming a mainstream setting yet?

Are you happy with the EHCP except what has been named in section I?

Sorry if this has been touched on already

Good luck. I think tribunals are well, very often successful for families.

Keep on seeking advice from organisations, such as National Autistic Society and BILD and Mencap. See if they can help with your appeal.

Special schools have the trained staff to manage challenges like those you describe. Class sizes are small; therapies are appropriate. Sensory rooms and quiet areas make it easier for children to cope.

A barrier might be your daughter's academic levels, if it is considered that these are higher than the ones of the majority of learners in the local special school.

@greeneyesbiglashes She started mainstream in reception with an EHCP, at the time the crux of the LAs issue was that she fell into a grey area for specialist provision available so in credit to them she is very highly funded within a mainstream. The issue is that she can't cope with the classes, to be there she is completely socially isolated and can't manage full time. School have said from the start she needs specialist provision.

The LA are still saying no to specialist as her needs on paper can be met in mainstream with enhanced SALT and OT, except her needs aren't being met at all.

Her caseworker has unofficially said the issue remains along similar lines but the LA are just saying a flat no.

Thanks for info @Sendsystemsucks

I assume when the SEN team consulted with her current setting, they advised they couldn’t meet needs. Do you have a copy of this response? If you appeal, the school will have to be witnesses which sounds like it will work in your favour.

I saw you mentioned she has a high level of support 1:1, 1:2 etc, is this full time, well when she’s able to he in school? I saw you mention that your child is on a part time timetable. This is horrible to hear however it will also help you with your tribunal....placed in mainstream (I assume LA directed current school to be named in EHCP) but still not accessing full time education. This feels like poor decision making to me.

Did the LA say no to mainstream following a response from a special school saying they cannot offer a place? Please tell me they did actually consult? Did you give a parental preference for specific schools to be named in section I?

Do you think she'd cope with a mainstream with small class size?
There is a mainstream independent in our county that has small class sizes and a lot of children with EHCPs for that reason.

Submitted the tribunal paperwork yesterday and booked independent SALT, EP and OT assessments at eye watering cost.

In the mean time school have emailed 4 times since returning after Easter as she isn't coping at all! I'm forwarding each one on to the LA and will be collating them as evidence against her placement refusal.

I am so frustrated.