Is it worth it

[Tootiredmummyof3]

DS does 2 hours a day at school. He does enjoy it and he has a wonderful 1:1 but he needs a special school.
He doesn't really do any learning at school. It's all learning through play, which I know they do in reception but his class are reading, doing key words, maths work and he can't do that.
I mean he's improved in a lot of ways socially, although this is massively hampered by the fact he's non verbal. He can now play alongside others and even sit on the carpet for carpet time.
This is positive but 2 hours a day is nothing. I'm torn between asking for more hours or removing him totally. The reason for removing him as that it seems a bit pointless him being there. He's miles behind the others, and while at this age kids don't care they will notice at some point and I'm worried he'll be picked on
LA are refusing to give him a place at SEN school but he needs it. Everyone knows it.
I know this is probably really garbled and possibly makes no sense but what would you do? Keep him in and hope he doesn't get bullied? (YANBU ) Or take him out? (YABU)

I think if it were me and my child, I would see value in him being in a social environment with some structure and opportunity to learn.

But I would likely not think the regular class was the right place for that all day. Not necessarily because of bullying, but because they aren't really working on the stuff he needs to work on, and even without bullying he might begin to feel himself to be on the bottom of the pile. I'd also worry about the overall impacts on the other kids in the class in terms of taking up time and focus.

I think I'd be looking for a class or school more suited to his needs. But if that wasn't forthcoming, I might go for teaching him part of the time at home, but also having him in a classroom situation part time - ideally at times when he can participate most.

Take him out and do what but? Home school? Sounds like he is making progress at the school at his own pace. It's shocking that you've got to fight so hard for a place at a special school when he clearly needs it! If you take him out and then he is granted a place in a special school it might be harder for him to transition to that from being with you than if he had remained in the mainstream school. Hope that makes sense

it does sound like he's benefiting from it, with the routine, and getting to meet new people. and he enjoys it. it sounds like this will help him deal with new situations as he gets older.
it definitely sounds like he would benefit from a school more suited to his needs, but for now, take the benefits this is giving him, while trying to find him a more suitable situation.

Don't compare your DS with the other children. It's not fair or as appropriate as it is for children in a regular school, because the children in this class have needs that are widely varied, and your son just needs a little more help than others.

It sounds like he is making progress, and socialisation is really important. Perhaps ask to increase to 3 hours and see how he goes.

Unless you can provide him with the same or better level of experience as his current placement can, I'd keep him in.

Im curious as to why he's being refused a place at a SEN school? Surely this is the most appropriate school for him.

When you say the LA are refusing a special school place, what do you mean? How far along in the process are you? Does your son have a definite diagnosis of anything? An EHCP? If not, that is your first port of call. Do not leave it to the LA or even the school to push this; you will need to advocate and fight for every bit of help. It’s hard to know what to advise without details but has he been seen by an Ed Psyc? Had a SALT assessment? Has his paediatrician advised or offered support? The whole system is on its knees but the last thing you want is to get to secondary school and still be in the same situation. Be prepared to push and appeal but get armed with information! Good luck.

Don’t deregister and EHE! That plays into the LA’s hands. They will then have no incentive at all to name a special school.

Does DS have an EHCP? If so, have you appealed? If he doesn’t have a EHCP, have you requested an EHCNA?

If you want DS to attend full-time (or if he is not yet CSA, if you want DS to attend part-time but more than he is), he can unless the school is formally suspending him. Are they?

If DS is compulsory school age and can’t attend school full time, alternative provision should be in place. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Op, it is a fight to get the right school environment for SEND.

but in the right environment your child will flourish.

get the EHCP
ed Psychologist will help in identifying the right environment
you may have to fight and fight

sendiags will help
every LA has a parent carer forum for SEND find it and join you will have others in similar situations

He has an EHCP in progress but it's not been finalised as I'm arguing he needs a special school.we had the draft which was fine but the lady from LA (caseworker?) said they'd be keeping him at current school.
I think I made a mistake putting him in school and should have waited for EHCP which might have meant his got a place at special school. LA seen to think of well he's in school so we'll just leave him there. Not our problem.
DS was upset at home time today, which is unusual, head teacher saw this and said to me, do you really think he's ready to do more hours?
I just am so bloody tired of fighting all the time.

What week of the EHCP process are you on? Push the LA to finalise then appeal. Do this ASAP. Because DS is not in school full time, you will be able to ask for an expedited hearing, and the sooner you do that, the better because of the avalanche of phase transfer appeals coming shortly.

Not sending DS to school wouldn’t have had the effect you think it would have. The LA would have seen you were willing to EHE and not named SS knowing that you would be more likely to continue to EHE.

Be careful with SENDIASS. Whilst some are good, many are not and repeat the LA’s unlawful policies.