Page 2 | Found out my DS is on SEN register via email?

Josette77 · 21/09/2024 05:43

Heartearrings · 20/09/2024 20:26

His actual learning is really advanced. So I’m assuming it’s something else , he’s been getting good behaviour tokens at school too, so it’s all very baffling.

If they've flagged him for autism and ADHD then something is tipping them off.

He can be advanced and well behaved and still struggle and have special needs. In fact a lot of kids with autism and ADHD are extremely bright.

Sartre · 21/09/2024 05:46

DragonCatcher · 20/09/2024 19:03

Children on the SEN register get extra funding and provisions made for them. If they've got him on the SEN register, I'd want to know what extra is he receiving to help him so you're on the same page at home. It's essentially just a list of children who need additional to or different from their peers. No diagnosis is needed to be on the SEN register either.

It's not great practice to find out over email like a surprise but I have emailed parents in the past to see if they've explored or had thoughts at home about their child having SEN - delivered more tactfully than that of course. I will admit schools are extremely stretched and finding time to meet or call is difficult. I can play cat and mouse trying to get hold of parents on the phone so in the end I send an email.

Children only receive funding if they have an EHCP in place.

One page profile is the lowest level so they believe your DS needs some help but not very much. They should obviously have met with you to discuss this and you should now ask for a meeting as a result.

TeenToTwenties · 21/09/2024 05:53

It may mean as low as 'this child is on our watch list'. Schools sometimes don't realise it can be scary to get an email like you have, they probably think you are aware they are watching him based on previous conversations so don't think the email is a big deal.

My DD2 bounced on and off the SEN registers until covid in y10. When she returned to education in y12 she got an EHCP. The one page profiles her school used were good when teachers used them.

Allswellthatendswelll · 21/09/2024 06:01

Children do not get extra funding on the SEN register!! SEN funding in schools is hard to get and involves an EHCP with loads of paperwork. Then you don't always get 6000 pounds either it can vary!!

If they've spoken to you about concerns then that is probably the conversation. Plus they might just have put him on and are now letting you know.

Being on the SEN register or not isn't a big thing there are usually 4 or 5 in each class or more in some classes.

Obviously chat to class teacher or SENCO about what actual extra support he needs in school. Bear in mind there won't be any extra money for this!

autienotnaughty · 21/09/2024 06:29

Id email senco and request a meeting. I'd want to know why I hadn't been told,what the concerns are and how they are supporting him? And what tge long term goal is.

MultiplaLight · 21/09/2024 06:47

DragonCatcher · 20/09/2024 19:20

@wafflesmgee
That's incorrect. Look up the delegated budget. Schools receive £6000 per child on the SEN register and then further funding when an EHCP is received, based on however much extra the local authority believe that child needs. I am a SENDCo and my responsibility includes deciding where that £6000 is spent for each child. For some, that will be access to a TA for some lessons, for others it might be purchasing equipment or resources, attending small group reading interventions etc. Staff cost a lot of money so much of the overall spending does tend to go on hiring TAs or an extra teacher who can then take them in smaller class groups to give them more attention.

I can't believe you're a senco with such poor understanding of SEN funding.

littleredcaravan · 21/09/2024 07:10

Heartearrings · 20/09/2024 18:53

I have received an email from the SENCO at my son’s school (he’s in year one) that was seemingly sent out to all relevant parents , giving info about the one page profile that they now use for pupils on the SEN register.
No one told us that our DS was on the register? Is this odd? They’ve mentioned before they think he may have signs of neurodivergence such as ADHD / ASD but nothing concrete either our side or theirs.

Conversations must have been had with you if they have mentioned the possibility of autism or adhd?

Good behaviour tokens and being a capable learner doesn't mean there aren't underlying issues or areas of learning that need additional support.

Being on the SEN register means that any difficulties a child has, diagnosis or not, are being addressed and supported.
These children need more than what the whole school provision offers, so they are given differentiation and reasonable adjustments to enable them to learn.

By all means ask for a chat about his needs, and what they are currently doing in school with him, but I don't think it's an all guns blazing scenario. As you were obviously made aware in an informal way at some point that they had some concerns.

ButterAsADip · 21/09/2024 07:24

Yes odd IMO.

I wouldn’t mind finding out my son had SEN by email if it was an individual email purely letting me know, but this is like a generic email to a group of parents you didn’t know you were part of.

I’d just email back saying ‘I had no idea my son has SEN, can you elaborate please’ etc

Avocadono · 21/09/2024 07:33

Heartearrings · 20/09/2024 18:53

I have received an email from the SENCO at my son’s school (he’s in year one) that was seemingly sent out to all relevant parents , giving info about the one page profile that they now use for pupils on the SEN register.
No one told us that our DS was on the register? Is this odd? They’ve mentioned before they think he may have signs of neurodivergence such as ADHD / ASD but nothing concrete either our side or theirs.

Could he have been added at the start of Y1? Often schools just monitor on Reception. Could this communication have been the communication to you that he was on the SEND register or was it not written that way? I wonder if this letter just came out a bit prematurely, before the teacher or SENCO had communicated with you he'd been added to the register. I'm sure they'd be very happy to discuss it further.

Danascully2 · 21/09/2024 07:55

Funnily enough I've got it on my to do list to check whether my child is on the SEN register before the move to secondary. It's a different situation though where he has a specific physical condition but only needs occasional informal support so I've no idea whether there is any paperwork anywhere. I spoke to the Sendco before he started reception and we agreed we'd see how he got on and I haven't needed to speak to the Sendco since as he hasn't needed anything specific. Secondary definitely need to be aware of it though and because of the larger numbers of teachers I imagine it might be useful to have some sort of paper trail. Sorry that doesn't help with the details of your situation but maybe similar in that he may well be on the register without me having any communication about it.

Luio · 21/09/2024 07:58

Our SEND register includes a note to teachers to say if a child has access arrangements such as extra time or a device and some suggestions like ‘benefits from movement breaks’ or ‘provide a print out of information as finds note taking difficult’. Some will have a diagnosis such as dyslexia but others will be pupils who just need a bit of support in the classroom. There are lots of children on it (about 30% of our school) across the ability range. If a child no longer needs support or access arrangements and doesn’t have a diagnosis, we take them off it again. It is an internal admin thing to provide information to teachers and for when we get requests for data (stats on numbers with a diagnosis).

crumblingschools · 21/09/2024 08:51

A local secondary school has 45% of its new Y7 cohort on the SEN register, bet they wished they got an extra £6000 for each of those pupils!