The EHCP is a chocolate-flipping fireguard. Discuss!

[DragonMama3]

My 8 yr old has an EHCP. He's struggling with mainstream. I ask for specialist provision. Get told no. He runs into a busy A rd and throws his backpack down screaming " I hate my life". He nearl got run over.

I know he NEEDS specialist. He's ADHD/ODD, ASC and unable to cope with the challenges of a mainstream classroom

It depends how its written and whether it meets your child's needs which it sounds lile it doesn't at the moment have you been in touch with your locsl.independent advisory service? I know some are better then other
Can you call an emergency review ?

You are completely right and it is so frustrating for parents, children and teachers!
There is a massive lack of funding and a lack of special school places and because of this everyone is being failed.

I’m a teacher and feel like I’m failing my whole class! I do a lesson input whilst my ND pupils struggle and then as soon as I set the rest off, I become a 1:1 for the ND pupils to try and support them and help them access the work. But then the rest don’t get any support and my ND pupils deserve more than me dashing back and forth to them.

The system is broken 😞

Just keep fighting! The ‘pushiest’ parents are more likely to get the SENCO and council’s attention and time.

EHCPs are pretty pointless in mainstream I think. However I have two boys in independent special schools and that's another story.

My dd has a ehcp in mainstream. I feel school are engineering to expell her

Sounds like you need an emergency review and get section f absolutely nailed down, no wishy washy language, exact hours needed, who, where and when. They have to be sooooo exact otherwise they aren't worth the paper they're written on.

My DD has an EHCP in mainstream, which is actually fairly well written. Admittedly she's only had it 2 months but school can't implement it as they cannot recruit a 1 to 1. The SENCO did say they could get supply in but it would likely be a different person every day ( which wouldn't work for DD) and most supply TAs they've has have been so bad they actually make things worse.

A lot are written very badly and dont really identify needs, have sensible outcomes or provisions to support the outcomes. So reviewing the ehcp is one starting point.

Also checking the school is actually providing the provisions is worth doing.

I also agree that ipsea or similar is a good place to start.

You need to ask for an emergency review.

a well written plan is great. A badly written one is pointless

I feel your pain! We are really struggling to get decent TAs in school - after 3 different adverts we only got 1 applicant, with no knowledge of schools, never mind SEN! The supply agency keeps sending people but they’re just not experienced enough. There’s no availability in specialist provision, not specialist TAs, no nothing!

I hear this so much from friends who also have Sen kids . We have been so lucky as dd1 had 1-1 YR - Y6 with no ehcp, ds1 has had 1-1 in YR and now in Y1 has support for 6 hours a week plus 6 intervention groups a week also just on a SEN plan

Have you appealed? If not, you should when you next have the right of appeal. To get the right of appeal have you requested an early review and when was the last AR?

A good EHCP is worth its weight in gold. The problem is many are far from good. Many are vague and woolly and not worth the paper they are written on.

@Jules912 if 1:1 is detailed, specified and quantified correctly in F put it back on the LA. It is the LA who is ultimately responsible for ensuring the provision in F is provided. They won’t do so unless forced, but they can increase the funding to attract applicants so an appropriate appointment can be made.

I think it's got massively worse in the past 5 years. We got one for our son when he was 4 (has moderate ASD and severe ADHD) we had to be pushy as fuck to get it. But I know families similar to ours who have been turned down since then.

I've had 6 hours of jumping and singing as he refused carte blanche to attend school today. I've a migraine. I love him to pieces he's just so kinetic and loud. He gets kicked at school by another student. He has bruises in term-time and none when he's off. I know which school he needs. If he can't get in there then we are both screwed.

Have you spoken to the school about DS being hurt?

Request an early review. In the meantime, if DS can’t attend school full time the LA must ensure he receives alternative provision so he receives a suitable, full-time education.

He's been bitten twice. By 2 different children. in 2 different years.

I've had 6 hours of jumping and singing as he refused carte blanche to attend school today. I've a migraine. I love him to pieces he's just so kinetic and loud

What does the EHCP say he needs in the way of support? It might be non specific and funding might be virtually non existent, but it sound like the issues are not only present at (mainstream) school.

oh they are. His classmates complain often to me about him. He doesn't realise

he kicked his ta.

I work in an SEMH school - it's a different world after years in mainstream.

Are there any school near you that you could at least visit?

I've a school I'd like. I just can't get __ to agree.

Have you appealed?

no

So if you have the right of appeal at the moment you need to appeal. If you don’t currently have the right of appeal you need to request an early review in to try to get the right of appeal.

Is the school wholly independent? You only need an offer of a place if it is. But either way you need to appeal as the EHCP isn’t meeting DS’s needs.

Contact SENDIASS https://www.kids.org.uk/sendiass-home/

They may be able to help you. At least they can advocate for you and your child and support you. Worth a try