Managed move to assess learning disability provision NOT behaviour

[Fenna76]

Hello, I’d be really grateful to get some advice on a managed move for my son. He’s been attending a secondary special school (year 7) due to autism, a speech and language disorder and learning difficulties. He has absolutely hated this first year at school and feels socially isolated. His cognition is average and he enjoys age appropriate things which the rest of the class don’t. He has friends that attend the mainstream resource unit in the neighbouring high school and has spent some time there as the two schools share some resources/facilities. He’s desperate to attend this school and be with his classmates from primary. I requested a move with the local authority and we’ve had an interim review and moderation panel where they concluded that he’s in the wrong setting and needs to be in a mainstream resource provision. After hearing this news, I withdrew him from his current school with only 1 week remaining of term before the school holidays as he was so distressed by going everyday to the point that I couldn’t bare to see him so upset. The LA approached the neighbouring school and they initially said no as they don’t think they can manage to deliver his speech and language therapy or the literacy interventions (dyslexia) he needs as the other class members are working at a slightly higher level. After some negotiation between the high school and LA, the school have said they will offer a managed move for him, a 12 week trial period so that they can find out if they are able to meet his needs. I’ve been told his speech and language therapists are offering to provide training and they’re looking at training for his literacy requirements.

My concern is that a managed move is usually used as a last resort for pupils about to be excluded with conditions in place by the receiving school on behaviour (not on learning disability outcomes). This isn’t the case for my son as the LA have agreed that he won’t be returning to his original school and his IDP will be amended over the summer to state his provision needs to be in mainstream resource. I wonder if this offer is legal and whether it amounts to discrimination due to his disabilities? I’ve never heard of a child having to go through a trial period before to assess whether the school can meet a child’s learning needs. The school’s ALN admissions process specifically says that they can’t refuse admission based on the fact they feel they can’t meet a child’s needs. I’m waiting for a call back from Snap Cymru for advice, but in the meantime would really appreciate any advice or insights into this type of managed move. if I accept this move and it fails, do I have the option of appealing?

It sounds as though it’s the school you would like him to go to, so a 12 week trial to see if they can meet his needs sounds appropriate.

What is the resource provision at this school?

If SLTs are offering to provide training to the school, surely that should benefit everyone.

If he wants to go there; if he has the appropriate provision and support and progresses, won’t it then become a permanent move, with the IDP amended to reflect this?

You're obviously in Wales, which I’m not familiar with, but what are the alternatives if you don’t feel this move is appropriate?

If the IDP states the school and includes the resource provision they will have to admit. You don’t need a managed moved.

It's true that MMOs are used for pupils who struggle behaviourally the majority of the time but what you describe isn't uncommon. If the school are offering the trial, they will offer your son a place if it's the right provision for him. I work in a school where this has happened a number of times.

Take it - I don't think you've got anything to lose :)

The other concern with a managed move in this situation is what happens if it fails. With managed moves, the pupil should typically return to the home school.

The issue will be that if he’s in mainstream setting he won’t get much support. Taught in classes of 30 plus by teachers, trailing round a missive campus to different lessons taught by different teachers who with the best will in the world won’t really understand or be able to give him the aupport he needs. I always really feel for the students who are borderline for specialist provision. It’s an amazing thing to have been offered it and you need to think very carefully about giving up a place there.

OP’s DS has an IDP that can stipulate the support required. He may also not attend all mainstream classes if he is in the resource provison.

Thanks for all of your replies. Yes I'm in Wales so education policies are slightly different to England I believe. Sorry I should have explained that the resource in this new school allows the children to stay in the resource classroom for all of their lessons if they need. They can attend mainstream classes only if they feel confident enough but there's no pressure. I've just spoken to snap cymru and learnt that if the MM fails then there's no option to appeal which doesn't really give us any security. I'm going to ask for a copy of the MM policy which snap cymru have said they'll help me with if there's anything we don't agree with.

@Bluevelvetsofa thanks for your reply, forgot to add that there's only one other alternative in the county. We tried to contact that school when we were looking into high school placements a couple of years ago and they wouldn't answer any of our questions, cancelled any visits we booked at the last minute and promised calls back but failed to give us any information, despite us trying repeatedly. So I can't say I've got much confidence in that school.