To want to speak to the school SENCO

[Thequeenhascovid]

DS is 4 and at primary school where the teachers flagged up some concerns. He’s referred to the CDC and we’re on the waiting list. I’ve called his school twice to speak to the senco. The first time I was told she would call but no one has. The second time I emailed they said you need to speak to the class teacher. I emailed back saying I’ve already spoken to her and she cannot answer my questions. They’ve said to put it in an email and the senco will get back. It’s been a week and I haven’t heard from them. I know things are busy in schools but I would really like to speak to the senco to see what I could do for him and what they are providing as we wait for a diagnosis.

see what I could do for him

what are they concerned about?

Can you go into the school office and ask to book a meeting with the senco. Or speak to teacher on the gate and ask how to meet with the senco. Continue to email.

SENCO has probably been tied up with SATS this week. It’s an incredibly staff-intensive process. Some children have support needs that mean they have to sit their papers in separate rooms and every room needs two adults at all times. Loads of children under SENCO care will also have needed lots of support and reassurance before and after the exams.
I’d give it another week before you start chasing a response.

I’ve already spoken to the teacher..managed to catch her leaving the school yesterday. She said they’ve put him in speech link and his speech is better. They had a number of things like he doesn’t have spatial awareness, unclear speech, social concerns. I slaked her if he was referred to anything but they said no.

Ive sent a long email to the SENCo outlining the teachers concerns and some concerns I have.

@DaisyDozyDee wasn’t aware of this. But this is a 1 form only school ….

What is the SENCO role in your school?

In ours she has a full-time teaching commitment. The same work as every other teacher plus the SENCO role. She has no choice but to prioritise, triage and make people wait.

Mind you, it's unusual to have a call and an email go unanswered for so long. And it's counter-productive because the parent's anxiety about the situation increases with every day that passes. I suppose she could have some sort of personal emergency going on, but even a holding email would have placated you for a bit.

What are your personal concerns about your DS?
Yes, they should speak with you, but undoubtedly need to talk with the teacher first, so I'd leave it a week before calling again. It doesn't sound urgent.

The class teacher and Senco have sat down to write about 10 or more things that they are concerned about. I would like to sit with them to see what they are providing and whether if at all necessary for me to take him to therapies that could help him. I don’t want to leave this too late.
Some things they’ve mentioned;
-lack of spatial awareness
-behind on social skills
-figeting
-avoiding eye contact
-set on routines and doesn’t like change
-obsessions
and more

some of the things I see at home and some I’ll be honest I don’t so I would like to know what is triggering them and what I could do with him. I called the school office 4 weeks ago and waited and didn’t get a call back. Then emailed and they said she’s too busy. I’ve emailed again and haven’t heard back. I’ll leave it another week before sending an email

@justfiveminutes she’s also the assistant headteacher. This is a very small school with only one class per year. Both times I’ve tried to get in contact (4-5 weeks apart) they’ve said she’s busy/not in school

I'd speak to the class teacher again and say you'd like to book a meeting with the senco. Wait 48 hours and it no meeting has been set up and scheduled in, ask to speak to the head of the key stage. Wait 48 hours, ask to speak to the head teacher.

Failing that, ask to speak to a governor

How long in total have you been waiting since you first spoke to a staff member asking to speak to the senco?

About 5 weeks or more.

That's not good enough. I'd be a lot more pushy and ask to speak to the Head

They still do SATs at a one form entry school, and being small means they have fewer staff to spare. It’s also more likely that SENCO only works part time or does it on top of a different role.

You absolutely should be able to speak to staff that are responsible for your child’s education when you want to, but IME it doesn’t work like that with SENCOs. There might not even be much a SENCO can tell you that would help until she’s has a chance to observe and work with your child, who at the moment might be a lower priority than other pupils. Nothing you’ve said about your son would cause an over stretched SENCO to prioritise him, especially as he’s still only 4.

I’d call or email again next week, but be aware that Y2 SATs will also be coming up. Unfortunately, the only way to get your son the support he deserves will be to get used to having to push hard for everything.

@FairyCakeWings I guess that’s how it would be. I get that completely but at the same time it’s much harder when it’s your own child.

Coming from a teacher and Lead, I'd push because other SATS wouldn't stop me from doing for my job for every child. Your child matters as much as SATS. MORE THAN SATS. Five weeks is far too long

Don’t speak to a governor directly about something like this. We can’t do anything and if you made a formal complaint then we have to have no previous knowledge if we’re asked to be on a panel.

Ask again, suggest some times or a good time after school for a phone call. If you don’t get a reply escalate to the head, if you still don’t get a reply within a week then you can make a formal complaint.

Ok, as a SENCO, I am sorry you are waiting this long but in a one form entry school the senco is likely to be part time with very few hours a week for the job. Sorry this is shit for you but unfortunately it is the reality. Secondly, what you have written here is them starting to walk you down the neurodiversity pathway so what I suggest you do is go to the GP and ask for a developmental paediatric assessment pkus a speech and language assessment and an OT assessment. The SENCO might have access to an LEA early years OT, SALT and support but these things take aaaaages as they are poorly funded. Do keep on to speak to the SENCO because they will signpost you and let you know if they have asked the LEA for outside referrals. If they haven't then ask what is available (wide variety depending on which LA you are in).
You are right in that early support is essential and you need to know what to do at home as well. Are the school giving him some one to one or is he in social skills groups or having any support. I am sorry you are in the dark a bit and it is a bit bad to drop this on you and then go on radio silence.

Best of luck.

Thanks all @KathieFerrars I briefly spoke to the class teacher and she said he was in something called speech link. She said he hasn’t been referred for anything as he doesn’t need it (but I’ve got it in writing that he has problems with spatial awareness and often falls and bumps into things as well as speech issues).
We couldn’t talk about other things as she was literally by her car when I spoke to her.

It's the SATS week.... very busy!!!!

@KathieFerrars i will go to the GP but if needed I am willing to take him to therapies privately but I do need assistance in finding the right place to go to

Hmmmmm. You need a good quality SALT (if you can find one) and honestly, if you can scrape the beans, pay for a private assessment and also any therapy. Have you noticed the spatial thing? Sounds like Motor Coordination Difficulties which can also affect speech and social communication.

SATs or not, every child matters. Doesn't matter how busy it is, it takes seconds to write an email and put a date in the diary for a meeting.

I would email again and copy in the class teacher and the head, and say you've been left very anxious and concerned and need a meeting ASAP to discuss it all properly.

Occupational therapists are amazing too. If I ruled the world I would make it mandatory for every school to have weekly access to a SALT and OT. However, you need to know where you are before splashing the cash. If you have noticed that there is a disparity between him and his peers then perhaps time to start pursuing this.