To think the local authority can shove it up somewhere..

[ToastyCat]

Hi all,

Sorry to post here, but SN children don't really get many replies, but I just need to rage.

My DS starts school in September - he has a dignosis of Autism, a rare chromosome disorder, global developmental delay, hypermobility, and low muscle tone.

He can not walk, he's very limited verbal, he's still in nappies, he can not dress himself, put his shoes on etc he overstuffs his mouth when feeding, limited diet. Becomes very distressed in groups of people, can be aggressive if space is invaded, and other things that aren't fun.

He has an ECHP in place, and the local authority have decided that a mainstream school can meet his needs even though all the mainstream schools we've visited have said they absolutely could not and if he goes to mainstream school we're looking at heavily reduced time tables and they'd pretty much just be babysitting him.

It's absolutely disgusting, and I'm not sending him to a mainstream school.

I know I can't appeal until they have named a school, which I will absolutely be doing, but is there anything I should do in the meantime?

Thanks all.

Well that's not quite true is it?
My 14 year-old has always gone to a special school, the problem is the are huge disparity, s in what LA,s offer ,in my LA we have four special school, s two for primary and two for secondary, one of the primary and secondary schools cater for children with moderate to severe learning disabilities and the other two cater for children with severe to profound learning disabilities, we also have severel autism hubs ,I realise we are luckier than a lot of LA,s

LAs are in an awful position because there isn't the funding or the provision to meet the current, growing demand. Very few people go to work for LAs on EHCPs wanting to deny children what they need. They are in an impossible situation because they are required by law to provide things they don't have, and that is soul-destroying.

So I think quite often they offer as little as they can in the hope that you'll accept it, and delay due to lack of resources and because it just pushes the problem down the road. They know parents of children with additional needs will do whatever is necessary for their children, so they rely on you picking up the slack.

Sending letters regarding breaching timescales is worth doing but may not have much impact. They will know they have breached timescales and be monitoring it but not have capacity. It may help a little and it can't do any harm.

My experience is that specialist schools won't generally let you visit until the LA has consulted with them. However, once they have consulted, it's worth speaking to the school etc yourself as you will probably move the process along more quickly. In my area there are very few state special schools - they are mainly provided by independent schools and can be very expensive.

If you think it would help, ask for a needs assessment to get a social worker. They don't necessarily do loads but they can help with navigating systems, asking questions and knowing about resources. However, it sounds like you've got quite a team already and it might not add anything.

Writing to your MP is useful - they will write to the Director of Childrens' Services and it gets noticed. People are more likely to prioritise parents who are making a fuss than parents who are waiting patiently.

Womens Hour (Radio 4) did a series on SEN needs a while ago. It's worth listening to as it gives you some insight into the process and tribunals. If you complain and make it clear that you will go to tribunal and ask for compensation, and thar it will cost them, they may find provision.

You should also be able to get transport to school for your child.

I'm sorry you're dealing with this. It is exhausting. Hopefully once the right provision is put in place your son will thrive and you will be able to relax a little.

I'm glad I posted because I've learnt a lot. Definitely won't be home schooling now.

I appreciate the local authorities' position. However, unfortunately, I'm absolutely going to be "one of those parents" because my son deserves to be in a school where he's going to thrive and be safe.

Sending letters regarding breaching timescales is worth doing but may not have much impact.

The letter warning of the risk of breaching the timescales may not do much, but it is part of the process to enforcement action. If it doesn’t work, the LA fails to act and they go on to breach the deadline, parents can then send a pre-action letter, which mostly does work. Where a pre-action letter fails, JR proceedings definitely will work.

I'm in a similar situation here, son 5 asd,chromosome abnormality, still in nappies.. no placement, awaiting the plan to be issued next week(hopefully) so we can appeal if its no placement, will keep you posted how we get on, big hugs!x

I'm a qualified primary teacher of 20 years but I'm currently tutoring EHCP children (EOTAS) funded by LA. One of my lovely students is a non-verbal child who is unable to access mainstream due to needs.
Is this an option?

@everychildmatters, legally, EOTAS/EOTIS is only possible where it is inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school. It isn’t only about being unable to access MS.

@BrightYellowTrain Who makes that decision ultimately? And how?

@everychildmatters if parents appeal, SENDIST would make the decision based on the evidence in the case.