No reason given for suspension

[noreasonsuspension]

Have name changed for this. My son is 19 and at a special needs unit of a mainstream college. His needs are autism and anxiety mostly. He called me today before pick up to say he'd been suspended. When I collected him a member of staff said he'd been suspended and they would be investigating but wouldn't give me any other information. I was under the impression they have to give a reason, is this the case with a college? DS can't understand why, no members of staff of students were upset with him. It's bizarre. I'm hoping to speak with them first thing. I have a meeting after the investigation in Thursday. They said to explore it with DS but he has no idea so how can I? He js now getting very worked up. If he's done something wrong I understand it needs to be dealt with, but surely he or I should be told what it's about?

is he seen as having full capacity?
If so as he is over 18 perhaps they can't tell you but if that IS the case surely they should have told him

You should be able to get hold of the colleges disciplinary procedure. He must have an idea of what he's done wrong. I would have thought instant suspension would really only be used for fighting or maybe drug possession. But something serious.

Thank you both, yes he has full capacity but they haven't told him either. Definitely no drugs or fighting. It's honestly bizarre.

This seems strange - usually special needs units work closely with parents. My daughter went to ours - she has a mld - and she is rarely able to explain what happens to me on any given subject. So college would definitely have contacted me.

I guess something has happened even if your son is unaware of it. Does he have an ehc plan? If so, get ready to call an emergency review if this college place isn't working out. He may need more support than he is currently getting.

Thanks @Arran2024 they've been really disappointing so far with lack of communication in general. He has got an EHCP so had wondered if an emergency review would be needed. It's just so frustrating, I wanted him to go elsewhere but the LA wouldn't back down. Obviously somethings happened and he's happy to own up to something but he just doesn't know what it is.

@noreasonsuspension

Is there a teacher at the school with whom he has a good rapport and to whom you could speak on the phone tomorrow, just for clarification?

@TheSquareMile that's a good idea thank you, I'll try and speak to his pastoral support.

He's over 18 & at a college so things may be different but I suggest looking up the rules about suspension AND the College has to give him 'due process'

He may be entitled to legal aid if thats any help.

If he has an ehcp contact your local LA SEND dept asap to speak to his caseworker. Tell them they wont give you reasons and you don't know if it's legal or not.

@noreasonsuspension it's possible someone has made an accusation against him or he is suspected of something which, if true, would result in suspension. They may need to act as if it is true, to safeguard other students, but may not yet have the full facts, e.g. witness statements, video evidence.

However, they should give you more info than they seem to have done.

Stay calm and ask questions. If at some point you need to log a complaint then it will help for you to be regarded as reasonable and rational, not emotional.

@noreasonsuspension

Were you able to speak to someone, OP?

Did you find out op? It does seem odd

My son attended a unit attached to a mainstream school - prader willi syndrome and autism. Suspended twice for behaviours related to his condition. I wasn't happy - schools even with units are often very ready to suspend.

Hi everyone, we have a proper meeting tomorrow, but sounds like something DS has come under the bullying category. College don't believe he understood what he said would hurt anyone and so it obviously wasn't done on purpose. We will find out tomorrow exactly what is allergies he said. DS is so upset, he hates hurting anyone. Once we get this meeting done we can put a plan in lave and move forward.