Ok so DS (21) has ASD and a mild learning difficulty together with social, emotional and mental health issues although he is very able. I am trying to keep him in education as he has not achieved any of his outcomes (no qualifications or skills for work) and he wants to stay in education and work to a qualification as well as independence skills. There have been multiple failures in his education so far as his ASD was diagnosed late, he didn’t get any support in mainstream school and his mental health had been affected. He has been isolated at home for almost 2 years now with an LSA taking him out for a few hours twice a week.
I finally found what looked like an amazing college out of area that specifically caters for students with his issues. I approached them and they said they couldn’t see any reason why they wouldn’t admit him. Then we had to go down the local authority consultation process and they totally backtracked and said they wouldn’t be able to admit him as they couldn’t meet his needs!
I’ve now been fighting to get him admitted for 18 months. The college’s reasons change every time i offer evidence to counter them. He’s done two assessments there which went well but they picked up on minor things like him not making eye contact (er, he’s got ASD like all their other students) or tried to be friendly with students that he’d only just met for that day (social anxiety) so won’t fit in.
They also say his learning levels are too low although he was working at their minimum requirement 2 years ago but has had no provision since then so could not answer questions to that level in his assessments.
Today I was informed that their decision is final.
I could still try to get them ordered to admit him but worried even if I’m successful as they don’t want him there, they’ll try to make the placement break down.
There literally is no where else suitable for him to go that will offer that level of support so he can progress and he’s running out of time as his EHCP will cease at 25. I’ve approached 28 colleges now. They all have said they can’t meet his needs either as he’s either too able or not able enough for a few of them.
Even the college the local authority want him to go to have said this week they can’t take him.
The LA now trying to force another college which is a 1.5- 2 hours drive away (northern Home Counties to South London) but I had already approached them and they have told me verbally they can’t meet his needs and they’ve never had a student from so far away. I can’t drive him 6-8 hours a day there and back as I work and have younger DC! He can’t travel independently on multiple trains and tubes. The LA have said there is no post 19 transport available so know he can’t get there so will probably try to say he’s not engaging and try to cease his EHCP.
I just don’t understand why the college,that is perfect for him won’t take him. They have places available. The whole point is for them to educate him! He’s not violent or disruptive. In fact they remarked on how polite he is.
What can I do? They’ve refused to answer emails I’ve sent querying it and to have a meeting to discuss. Won’t engage with me at all.
WIBU to try and force them to take him?
I am totally burnout with it all and need to have made a decision by the end of next week to present to a Tribunal.