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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

shit, EHCNA refusal, aibu to feel mad at school & SENCO?

90 replies

sillygames · 28/03/2023 18:14

EHCNA just refused after the first 6 weeks? It was a parental request.

Can't believe it. I feel sick. DS has a long list of complex SENDs (ADHD/ASD/SPLD/SEMH) and chronic anxiety. He's at one of those super strict Academies. We only discovered SEND issues after joining. It's totally inappropriate for him as many professionals within it agree. I thought the SENCO agreed.

ECHP co-ordinator said the "Panel felt from the evidence provided that DS is making progress with the support provided by the school Panel felt that the school can use more strategies from EP’s recommendations to support DS social needs."

I feel sick. He's so anxious because of all the rules and his failure to do well that he's suicidal. The school & SENCO is know this. WTF did they say to the EHCP team?

How long do tribunals take?
If we take him out of school for the sake of his sanity will it make a tribunal and (hopefully) resulting EHCNA take longer or take less time?

OP posts:
Goneroundthetwist · 28/03/2023 18:17

Google your local parent partnership service for free advice.

2reefsin30knots · 28/03/2023 18:18

Can you not move schools?

FelicityFlops · 28/03/2023 18:19

Presumably he was not born with chronic anxiety?

Original poster
sillygames · 28/03/2023 18:20

Trying to move schools. That's the whole point. The sort of school he wants/needs you need and EHCP for

OP posts:
Theunamedcat · 28/03/2023 18:20

You can challenge it but I would also be looking at a new school

You should have been sent a copy of the senco report anyway

Original poster
sillygames · 28/03/2023 18:21

@FelicityFlops, no, he was not born with chronic anxiety. it developed since he started at this school, which we made very clear in the application for EHCNA.

OP posts:
Ralphschocolate · 28/03/2023 18:22

Is he making progress? What did his last report say? How old is he?

helloisitmeyourelookingfor · 28/03/2023 18:24

Don't be mad with the senco -they are probably similarly frustrated by the process

You have the right to appeal -please use that right

Original poster
sillygames · 28/03/2023 18:24

His reports are getting progressively worse. He started y7 in top sets, now near bottom sets. The reports do not use words but show traffic light colours per subject. His reports have gotten increasingly red term by term.

OP posts:
FourBoysAndAFeline · 28/03/2023 18:25

I just submitted our EHC assessment request today.

My son is struggling similarly.

I sent 28 bits of evidence to show the school were not meeting his needs.

Thats what you need to prove. That the school has put in XYZ and that there is still a gap in his learning/falling below attendance level.
And even then, I expect we will be rejected 🙄
I have other bits up my sleeve that I will add to the appeal though.

OP we have now resorted to a reduced timetable and my son says he feels SO much better. His anxiety has decreased as he only has to worry about two lessons per day.

What evidence did you send in to support your application?

Contact your local SENDIAS for advice.

User17865 · 28/03/2023 18:25

Have you spoken to SOSSEN or IPSEA? Can you afford a private Educational Psychologist report? What did the LA Educational Psychologist report say? Keep fighting OP. I definitely wouldn’t take him off the school role for now.

TeenDivided · 28/03/2023 18:26

OK. So the EHCP Coordinator says there are things in the Ed Psych report that the school hasn't yet tried that they should do.

So you could try appealing, but I think you also need to go back to the school SENCO and say 'right you need to try X and Y and Z'.
Either they try and it works (super), or they try and fail (go back to EHCP and tell them so) or they refuse to try (go back to EHCP and tell them so).

Also, is he on the waiting list for more suitable schools? You know you can appeal for them too?

2reefsin30knots · 28/03/2023 18:27

Could you not give a less dictatorial mainstream a go as it seems to be the specific school he's struggling with?

Most parental requests for EHCNA get turned down, but you can appeal and lot of refusals get overturned.

A nicer school might do the EHC request for you?

jenandberrys · 28/03/2023 18:27

What year is the in now? You say he didn't have needs prior to the school but ASD and ADHD are not conditions that you suddenly develop? So do you mean his needs were managed at primary but the transition to secondary hasn't gone well? It would be unusual for a child to suddenly go from no SEND at all to needing a specialist provision all of a sudden. The SENCO will want an EHCP as much as you do. they are your ally in the fight, not your enemy

isthisreallyit70 · 28/03/2023 18:29

I'm speaking from experience . Piss people off , you know what's best for your child.

When I was fighting for an EHCP. I included the following people in the email

Head of local SEND
Local Educational psych / or dept
Headteacher of current school
SEN Teacher at current school
Virtual head for area
Any other professionals involved

The following Carry clout
Head of OFSTED
Education Minster
Local MP

people who scream the loudest will get what they need. I did (normally not obtrusive) and got my child into a school that charges between 70-100k a year. They don't like to pay but they don't like having MP's involved . I would also make contact with MP about Thai anyway.

Don't give up , they normally automatically reject parental requests . It's all about money obviously but people who don't give up can get through it . Push the school to get an Ed psych assessment too.

Ralphschocolate · 28/03/2023 18:30

I'm assuming he started year 7 in September?

Our local authority ask for 3 one plans to be completed before even considering a needs assessment so it can be shown what the school have done to support the child and what works and what doesn't. We're only at the end of the 2nd term so that's only 2 one plans.

Skiphopbump · 28/03/2023 18:32

Carry on with the process, use your right of appeal - a refusal to assess shouldn’t take too long compared to appealing a completed plan. Given the needs you have described it’s likely the LA will concede before your appeal date.

Was the Ed psych LA or independent? Could you ask them to write an addendum I’m support of your appeal.

Contact IPSEA or SOS!SEN for support.

jenandberrys · 28/03/2023 18:33

Ralphschocolate · 28/03/2023 18:30

I'm assuming he started year 7 in September?

Our local authority ask for 3 one plans to be completed before even considering a needs assessment so it can be shown what the school have done to support the child and what works and what doesn't. We're only at the end of the 2nd term so that's only 2 one plans.

That's unlawful and they cannot insist upon it.

isthisreallyit70 · 28/03/2023 18:35

Email for head of ofsted

[email protected]

Education minister

[email protected]

If struggle for others I can help .

They may not reply or do anything but people don't like it.

I included everyone every-time I sent an email

jenandberrys · 28/03/2023 18:38

isthisreallyit70 · 28/03/2023 18:35

Email for head of ofsted

[email protected]

Education minister

[email protected]

If struggle for others I can help .

They may not reply or do anything but people don't like it.

I included everyone every-time I sent an email

This is really silly advice. neither OFSTED for the Minister have any input into EHCNA processes. By all means include the other people @isthisreallyit70 mentioned but these two are completely pointless. The best thing is to appeal as is your right and you will likely win.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 28/03/2023 18:39

Try the mediation offered. It worked for us and gives you an opportunity to point out that the only criteria for assessment is that the child has, or may have a SEN. We got the Senco on the phone after an hour and they caved after that.

sevencontinents · 28/03/2023 18:40

I am experienced in this. PPs are right. If you put up a fight you will get your Needs assessment. And yes, it's not the SENCO's fault, they want this a much as you and usually have no clout when it comes to panel decisions.

Hankunamatata · 28/03/2023 18:40

If its similar to old statementing process then nearly all parental requests get turned down first time and you have to appeal.

cansu · 28/03/2023 18:43

Are the list of conditions you mention diagnosed by a professional? You say you only became aware of send issues in Y7.

sevencontinents · 28/03/2023 18:44

jenandberrys · 28/03/2023 18:38

This is really silly advice. neither OFSTED for the Minister have any input into EHCNA processes. By all means include the other people @isthisreallyit70 mentioned but these two are completely pointless. The best thing is to appeal as is your right and you will likely win.

Show quote history

It's not silly in my opinion. The poster who recommended this knows that OFSTED and education ministers aren't involved in EHCPNAs but Local Authorities do not like their poor practice highlighted. In my opinion, this shows that a parent isn't messing around.
I also know of a local MP who got involved in a case on behalf of a vulnerable family who were being messed around by the LA and hoped resolve the issue by being copied into emails etc.