Homeschool

[Nic0714]

I am new to this and not here to be critisised. My child is in year 6 he is dyslexic cant read properly, write or spell. He cant do maths, struggles with understanding what is being said and has long term memory difficulties so what hes been taught today theres every chance he cant remember any of it tomorrow. Most of the work he does is year 3 work. He starts high school next year and i am dreading it as i feel he will not cope at all. The high school have said there wont be much support for him and he wont get half as much help as he does in primary school. Obviously i want him to give it a go for the social side of things but if he becomes withdrawn, sad, miserable then i will pull him out and homeschool him because his mental health and happiness is more important to me than his education.
Has anyone pulled their child out of high school who is dyslexic and homeschooled? How do you know what to learn them and were to get the materials from? Also do they sit GCSE's. Any info would be great. Thankyou.

DS20 is dyslexic, he never went to school and I home educated him to GCSE level. He didn't read fluently until he was about 11 and still found language difficult. He worked at his own pace, focusing on his strengths and interests and slowly building up his literacy skills.

He went on to our local school 6th form, did 4 A levels in his strongest subjects and got 3 A stars and an A, which were the highest grades in his year group.

He is now in his 2nd year at Durham University doing Maths and current grades look like he will probably get a First if he continues like thid.

Don't worry too much, I wondered if he would ever learn to read and write but he got there when he was ready. He had to work a lot harder for it than others. He was motivated to do well in his GCSEs and put a huge amount of work in and really developed in his teens once he had a goal.

My son is severely dyslexic. He didn't get much help throughout any of his school years. We concentrated on extra curricular things that supported his self esteem - youth theatre, sea scouts, music lessons and orchestra. We allowed him to explore computers and coding at home, with friends.

We did personally pay for an Ed Psch report and colorimerty optical test and glasses (as he had irlens).

His high self esteem and passions allowed him to survive school, access and nail top grades in a Level 3 BTEC in IT, build a handful of computers, and secure a degree apprenticeship. He's currently buying his first home at 26 and still has dreadful problems spelling.

Dyslexia is a gift as well as a neuro diversity. Allow him, when hes home, to enjoy the things he is good at. Sure standard schooling is important to a degree but he should follow the path of least resistance in life, explore what he loves, and is good at.

I've been where you are, although HEd was never on our radar, I know how worrying it can be. I firmly believe your son will have something really special its just waiting to be uncovered!

Yes it's contradictory. But that's the reality. You apply for EHCPNA and the LA say no and then you have to quote the law to get them to do it. This happens to an unacceptable number of SEN families. Do you have experience getting an EHCP? Do you know many people who have got them? If you do then you would know this is the reality. There isn't enough money for SEN so LAs say no most of the time relying on parents accepting this without a fight

Do you have experience getting an EHCP? Do you know many people who have got them? If you do then you would know this is the reality.

Of course I do! Otherwise I wouldn’t know the legislation. I have DC with EHCPs and have supported thousands of parents across the country to secure EHCPs for their DC.

I know exactly what the reality is. I also know parents need to know the actual law. Not myths LAs and some schools like to perpetuate. Because without accurate information about the law, it makes the lives of parents advocating for their DC much more difficult. Sadly, DC whose parents know the actual law and can advocate and enforce their rights, get better support. It shouldn’t be like that. It fails the most vulnerable, but it isn’t going to change in the foreseeable.

Even when parents have to appeal, they do not need to show a child has SEN. Only that they may have SEN. Subtle but important difference.

Many parents do not have to quote the legal definition of SEN even in an appeal. As I said, when LAs RTA most of the time it is because they dispute the second part of the legal test. Not the first part.

Have you any idea how much a full time tutor costs?
If the OP had some money she'd send her child to private school.
She doesn't and it's bloody obviously from her post that she shouldn't be home schooling so why would you encourage it?

@BrightYellowTrain
"I know exactly what the reality is. I also know parents need to know the actual law. Not myths LAs and some schools like to perpetuate. Because without accurate information about the law, it makes the lives of parents advocating for their DC much more difficult. Sadly, DC whose parents know the actual law and can advocate and enforce their rights, get better support. It shouldn’t be like that. It fails the most vulnerable, but it isn’t going to change in the foreseeable."

I think we are almost trying to argue the same point. You said "DC whose parents know the actual law and can advocate and enforce their rights, get better support". That is all I'm trying to do. Give this mother direction to the relavant laws so she is best able to advocate for her child. I don't do this for a living, my knowledge comes from going through it myself and knowing dozens of families with SEN kids with similar experiences. Almost universally our experience has been the LA turn down EHCPNA for Sen kids without obvious severe and multiple LD. It's not a myth as you say that LAs act this way it's a fact. It's a myth that they are allowed to act this way as schools and LAs frequently claim and that is my point. Obviously it's not universal but it's significant enough that it is wise to quote the laws and start the fight as soon as possible so the lengthy process of getting support for a child who needs it can be a little shorter.

Anyway I will bow out of this now. I wanted to give the information and advise to the OP that I was able to give. I'm not interested in arguing in circles to no purpose

you have to argue your child has Sen so meet criteria for assessment as the assessment criteria is "may have SEN".

@TheyDidntBurnWitchesTheyBurntWomen saying ^this isn’t providing accurate information, though. Parents do not have to show their DC has SEN as per the first part of your sentence. The first part of the legal test is has or may have SEN. So you don’t have to show the child has SEN. As I posted, subtle but important difference.

It's not a myth as you say that LAs act this way it's a fact.

Can you quote where exactly I said it was a myth LAs act unlawfully? You will struggle because I have not posted any such thing. The myths I was referring to are, as I posted, the myths LAs and schools perpetuate such as the myth you have to show the child or young person has SEN.

Pointing out the actual law isn’t arguing.

Oh for goodness sake.

you have to argue your child has Sen so meet criteria for assessment as the assessment criteria is "may have SEN".

@TheyDidntBurnWitchesTheyBurntWomen saying ^this isn’t providing accurate information, though. Parents do not have to show their DC has SEN as per the first part of your sentence. The first part of the legal test is has or may have SEN. So you don’t have to show the child has SEN. As I posted, subtle but important difference.

I said argue your child has sen not SHOW. Within the same sentence I say the criteria is "may have Sen". You are being pedantic over this.

And re the myths comment I read it that way. Your tone read to me like you were saying mine and many other parents experiences are myth. I'm dyslexic myself perhaps I misunderstood.

You just seem to want to argue. I've not misquoted the law. I've directed the OP to the law as best I can. I've accurately represented mine and many others experience of the EHCP process. Perhaps it reads like I'm saying these facts are the law but that's not what I mean and when I reread it I can't see what I've said wrong to set you off like this. You could easily of added the information I missed and your own advice without tagging me like this and derailing a thread. You say it's not arguing? Whatever. Semantics. It feels like I'm being attacked or argued with when I'm just trying to help. If you are as experienced as you say with the EHCP process you should know how emotive it is and how many of us can only access advice and support from other SEN parents.

If you are happy with how you have been posting good for you. I wouldn't be happy with myself if I conducted myself that way is all I'm saying

Yes, the legal test is may have SEN. Not definitely does have SEN. So, no, you don’t have to argue your child has SEN. Only that they may have SEN. As I posted, a subtle but important difference. It is not pedantic. It is not about arguing. It is about giving parents accurate information to counteract myths LAs and some schools perpetuate. LAs often tell parents they have to show/argue/demonstrate their DC has SEN. Posting the law is not derailing the thread. I make no apologies for posting the actual law. As I said, DC whose parents know the actual law get better support. I did acknowledge the second part of your sentence said ‘may’ when I posted “Only that they may have SEN as per the last part of your sentence.”

You did misunderstand. That is not what I said at all. “Not myths LAs and some schools like to perpetuate.” is quite clear I was talking about the myths LAs and schools perpetuate. I made no mention of parents in that sentence.

I have not attacked you.

Until my last post I had not tagged you at all.

I'm sorry, I like the guy and he's quite charismatic but (with no offence to him) Alfie Odd Job does not have a successful business.

Just because people compare him to Fred Dibnah and he comes across as the absolute salt of the earth it doesn't necessarily mean that its in anyway financially successful.

If the LA refuse to assess because they say there is no proof of SEN appealing that if you have to take it all the way to tribunal is months. I just had 11 months wait for tribunal after the LA dragged their feet the full allotment of time to get to mediation. Then you win because the law is may have SEN, tribunal orders the LA to do the EHCPNA which they have 20 weeks to do from the date the order is written up. My order took 4 weeks. Most LAs are going over the 20 weeks regularly too as there is a national shortage of EPs. So by quoting the LA legal obligations and arguing your child has SEN you can save over a year of time a child is without adequate support for the education they are legally entitled to. Then the EHCP may not be fit for purpose with lots of wriggle room for the LA to get out of providing so in real terms the child isn't getting the support. Then you either go back to tribunal over the contents of the plan- again this process is near enough a year in at least some areas. Or you fight it out at the annual review which you may not be offered and also have to make formal complaints to get (routine occurrence in mine and neighbouring LA).

It may be true that you don't technically have to argue your child has Sen. It may be true that the LA should do the EHCP needs assessment to determine the needs rather than declining because they say no evidence of needs. But the reality is if you start the process countering this common LA delay tactic you can save the child a year+ of inadequate education.

OP I would use the reports you have from school about your child's academic level as 'evidence' of SEN. The support plans in place for the support he currently receives. If the dyslexia diagnosis is official use that too if not then the screening the school did or any emails you have where teachers raise concerns around dyslexia. Read up on the assessment criteria and join your local Facebook send page and read others stories locally of your LAs tactics. try to preempt the LA reasons for refusal before they make them so hopefully they accept the application without having to go to tribunal etc.

This is a long process and won't be done in time for senior school. You said you planned to see how he gets on. I think that's wise. If he can't cope you are not faced with just the two options of leave him in school while the EHCP cogs turn or pull him out to home educate. You may be told if you withdraw him then the LA don't have to provide EHCP. It is true technically if you withdraw him you become responsible for his education and the LA don't have to fund or provide sen support. I got around this by arguing I'm not willingly withdrawing my child, this was not my choice it was the best way to meet my legal obligations as a parent. I can't remember the law but there are multiple parts you can quote. The main one is actually relevant to home edders ALL parents have a legal responsibility to ensure their children get an appropriate education either by attending school or otherwise. You can argue the school is not appropriate and by sending your child you break your legal responsibility. You also break your legal responsibility to protect your child from harm by knowledge sending them to a school you know will de emotional damage (again I can't remember exact phrasing and the acts are long it's late I'm not reading them to get the reference now). If you argue this the LA have no defence and will have to continue the EHCP needs assessment or tribunal. Then after a certain number of days you can argue the school or LA need to provide alternative provision or some form of edit while your child is out of school. Again there is a law you will have to quote likely in a formal complaint. I want to say its 20 days out of school but not sure. This is another fight you may not want to face but it's an option you should be aware off.

I know loads of families who gave up on EHCP as it's a stressful process and just home educate. I know quite a few who got the EHCP and still end up home educating either because the provision was still inadequate or while they wanted in a Sen school place. So you may not want to even start the EHCP fight. I just personally feel it's better to fight the LA over your kids education than have the fight be with a child who struggles, who you don't have the skills ti support and who subsequently resists your teaching. The LA will check you are proving a suitable education. Arguing with them over what is suitable for your child is also very stressful.

And I'm absolutely not saying you cannot support your child so absolutely should not home educate. I don't know you I can't judge. I'm speaking from my own experience home educating two very different children, one is out of school due to anxiety and struggles surrounding her autism. She does not have significant LD, im paying for her to have dyslexia assessment as everyone else in the family has it and she's got traits. But she is not 'behind'. My other child is significantly behind, still can't really read or write. He should be year 3 but working at reception level. It's completely different educating him at home the stress of it has been so damaging to our relationship. He make minimal progress even with a fair bit of "alternative provision" and tutor hours I got for him while we waited on the tribunal. Because his education isn't my responsibility I have not been penalised for his lack of progress. I have a friend with a similar child who is being taken to court to put her child back into school (without support in mainstream) because she cannot evidence progress enough to satisfy the LA home education person. There is a real drive for further monitoring of home education it is very hard for us home educating kids with LD to meet the requirements. My dd who is academically able is easy to write the reports and show progress, I don't feel aweful when I say no screens till the work is done etc because I know her resistance is because she doesn't want to not because it's so hard for her it's causing such distress as is the case for my boy.

You know your kid and what your relationship can take. Just think it through. And good luck

When LAs RTA, it is mostly because they dispute the second part of the test rather than the first.

As set out in Reg 44 of the SEN Regs 2014, when LAs are Ordered to assess, the LA has to inform the parents they aren’t going to issue within 10 weeks of the date of the Order or finalise within 14 weeks of the date of the Order.

If the LA breaches the statutory timescales or fails to review the EHCP at least annually, parents can force the LA to act, via JR if necessary. The normal timescales for the complaints process aren't a suitable remedy in these cases because it takes too long. Same for failure to provide s19 provision once it becomes clear 15 days will be missed. The days don’t have to be consecutive and don’t have to have already been missed, and provision should begin by the sixth day of absence. Although there’s no duty under s19 if parents are EHEing.