SENCos response to my concern...

[Eeve]

My DD is 10 and has a diagnosis of ASD. She is really very sensitive to changes in routine and has a lot of sensory issues, particularly around noise. Additionally, she get hugely anxious generally in school and as a result we do have issues getting her in at times. The SENCo is aware of all this.

We got a letter to say that on the last day of term the children will be having a party in each of their classrooms and included a list of food and drinks parents could bring in for them. My DD is in a state as this is obviously a big change to the normal run of things, and additionally she is getting het up about the fact that the other children will be "loud and excited" (as they should be!).

DD really does not want to go to school on Friday, because she is going to be overwhelmed. Knowing this I emailed the SENCo to ask whether she should be able to read in the library, or generally go somewhere that would be more calmed and settled for her. Additionally I asked that if this was to be the plan that she let me know so I could make it clear for my DD what to expect.

Anyway, this was the response I got: "Party is strong word! They are actually watching a movie, having some snacks, no music! If it all gets too
much (Adult availability willing) I am sure DD can have a break. But try and reassure her that it is not going to be a wild party!!".

AIBU to think that this is not a good enough adjustment for her? Adult availability willing means she's going to be stuck and very, very stressed. I'm trying to work with the school to improve her attendance, but I feel they're not meeting me half way.

Coming in as the wife of a 1:1 SEN. He would be horrified at the blasè email but the poor SENCO is probably trying to accommodate so much.

I know ear defenders have been suggested before, but what about bluetooth noise cancelling headphones, that your DD could listen to music that calms/helps her through, while sitting in class? I'm ASD myself and have a particluar playlist that I use in similar situations.

Good luck , I hope you manage to get things sorted

Just wanted to check that you knew that you an apply, you don't need to wait for school to do it. You can download a model letter from the IPSEA website and send it off tomorrow if you like.

I would double check this, but afaik reports by professionals have a shelf life after which you would have to get new ones, so I wouldn't delay in applying.

Do contact SENDIASS too, they can be very helpful

www.ipsea.org.uk/making-a-request-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

Model letter here

@shreddies yes, I know we can apply. I've been advised, however, that the school is really pivotal in providing the evidence that will get it pushed past the post as it were! And yes, you're right RE the shelf life!

As it stands I'm looking to get an OT assessment, but I'm not really sure how else to evidence her needs. Like I said, usually it would come from school but they need to be onboard and on the same page.

Senco here. It’s a tricky one. I’d sit down with the student to listen to their fears, talk through what might be happening on the day, but ultimately put something in place so they still attend school but not by force. My office was usually their safe place at these times. Reasonable adjustments and all that.

YABU. SENCo’s response seems reasonable to me. Your Dd needs to face and get through anxious situations & not constantly avoid them. We learnt this with our DS, also ASD.

I've scanned but don't know if it's been addressed? You've got loads of helpful ideas to support her through the day but do you know what the film is? Is there any content in it that is likely to be distressing? Watching a film sounds pretty innocuous but for a sensitive child it might not be.

....

The school will still be asked to contribute if you make an application for an EHCNA. If the LA refuse to assess, school can't appeal, only parents. I would definitely make an application for one yourself.

Ds's school at the time did not support our EHCNA application at all, in fact they told the LA it wasn't necessary.....Ds got an EHCP. So they were wrong.

Honestly you need to apply yourself. The first stage is that the LA agrees to assess.

Your private reports need to be in date WHEN the LA has agreed to assess.

You really need some professional advice here. Do try to talk to SENDIASS, or SOS SEN. There is also a Facebook page called ehcp England

@shreddies thank you for your help. I've emailed my local SENDIASS today.

I've had work back that they are happy for me to collect DD at 1:30 as that's when the party/film etc will begin and so she will still get her afternoon registration mark.

Thanks for all of the responses.

That's good. It's so hard to get the balance right, I'm glad you can take her home early,

Of course they are, an EHCP is going to cost them a canny chunk of change. Problem is most schools are obstructive while ignoring the issue. What they 'should' be doing is pulling out all the stops to make school doable for SN kids if they don't want to pay for one.

I just used to collect him early before the thing. That way he still got his mark and attendance wasn't affected.

It's depressing how autistic children have to 'get on with it' because you know - Christmas .

I'd reply and say it would not be suitable for your daughter but you are happy for her to attend school providing alternative arrangements can be made. Otherwise if school is unable to make reasonable adjustments you will keep her at home as an authorised absence due to schooll not meeting need. I'd include head and if you have any contacts in local authority such as a Sen officer you could include them too.

I’m glad a reasonable solution has been found and she won’t lose any attendance marks! Of course, schools should be able to provide that alternative provision for such occasions which is why I urge all readers of this thread to lobby their MPs to address the ever increasing issues in the education sector so that all pupils can receive the quality of education they are entitled to and so that all pupils with SEN receive the provision they need to make school not just bearable but enjoyable for them.

Thank you for your kind words earlier, they really do make a difference. 😍

Keep her at home and have a lovely day.

Make a note for yourself about why she stayed at home, and encourage her to keep telling you if she can’t cope with something , it’s something to praise her for.

Ignore threats about non attendance and call education welfare yourself and tell them, so school can’t use it as a treat.

Does she have an EHCP?

Just read the updates, really should read more before replying !

I have a DD of the same age who hasn’t been to school for months because school weren’t supporting adequately (she masks at school and suffers at home). Battling away for EHCP but focusing on supporting her mental health and advocating her her, above all else.

Also finding SENDIASS helpful

It’s also helpful that you got “adult availability willing!” actually in writing. I’d be including that in EHCP application as evidence that school cannot provide a keyworker to support her when she needs that.

If your happy to have her at home and it's just attendance your worried about, ask the school if she can be flexible schooled/ educated off site that day. Before he moved school, DS's old mainstream used to allow that for things like sports day or class assembly's he wouldn't have managed, and it didn't affect his attendance record.

The school would give us a vague 'project' to do at home and I'd print of some twinkl work sheets, and that was enough to show he'd been in education that day, just not in the building.

I agree with applying for an EHCNA yourself now, don’t wait. You don’t need any independent reports to submit an EHCNA request. The LA will then approach the school for information and it is governed by statutory timescales. If the LA agree to assess assessments are part of the EHCNA process. It makes it easier but plenty secure an EHCP without the school’s support.

Be careful with SENDIASS, some are helpful but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies. IPSEA and SOSSEN are better.

ScrappyCats if DD is compulsory school age and can’t attend school due to their MH &/or SEN the LA have a statutory duty to provide alternative arrangements under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. If that provision isn’t in place email the LA’s Director of Children’s Services.

@JustKeepBuilding - Thank you. I did email director, a few months ago (using an IPSEA template re: section 19) - 3 months later, we have eventually been told some tuition is starting in new year (and a stage 1 complaint is going in from me next week, about delay, our local SENDIASS are good luckily and they are helping me with the complaint process. I have learn to trust them over LA caseworkers and staff, they just seem to be a very manipulative bunch so far! 🙂)

If the provision isn’t forthcoming or it isn’t the equivalent of full time email the Director of Children’s Services threatening judicial review. Often the threat works but if it doesn’t contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.