Parents wanting support

[CakAndMoreCake]

In our area we have an ever increasing number of families with some level of need leaving the school system, mainly as they have been failed in some way. I have every sympathy with this, and understand how hard it must be.

However, many families have received some ongoing help with SEN or social needs which ends as home schooling begins. More and more often this is turning to anger when home educators don’t provide support.

Our groups are inclusive, all are welcome, however I’m not paid. I’m also balancing my own children’s needs, SEN and my own job. I’m stretched to breaking. For example people expect information directly, as they can’t follow groups or in another format. I just don’t have time to do this on repeat. Or they want summaries of activities made for them, or their child’s needs met without contributions. I can’t watch/ teach more without someone releasing some of my burden. I have kids left, and people keep complaining they want the groups to change for them- but like a drop off service.

I’m really tired from the anger, but I don’t want to close groups or exclude. Is anyone else struggling with this balance? Our groups have become 80-90% of people looking for a provider, or seeking teacher figures to manage behaviour/ learning. Then complaints when people aren’t.

I get it’s hard. I just really am
already at the snap point managing my own fires

What sort of group are you running? Is a a home ed co-op for specific subjects?

More than one group, mix of social and self directed supported learning.

Gosh, that sounds really hard! No, we don't have such extreme problems in my area. There are definitely more people home educating now who don't want to be, many of whom would prefer to replace school with a school-like service. This does seem more common now than it was a decade ago. But we only get a few parents who really EXPECT that and are disgruntled that it isn't on offer.

Usually it is quickly resolved; other people on the local FB group chip in to help explain that parents who organise groups are volunteers who typically don't receive any money for all their hard work, drop-offs are seldom allowed, if you don't like what's on offer then you can organise activities yourself, etc etc.

So I wonder whether there is something strange going on in your area? Is it possible that someone from the LA has been misleading new home educators into thinking that you offer some kind of professional service? Or a school offrolling by spinning tales of the huge free support parents can get from you?

It’s a combination of factors, no suitable school places for autistic children/ mental health needs and a funding slash across all SEN. A ‘get tough’ approach on attendance with vulnerable families not in school regularly.
We’ve always been a very large community here, and it’s a well known option rather than a small group of parents.
I’m guessing also a level of off rolling with a lot of academisation in recent years, some schools are half their year 7 size in year 11.
It’s enough people to make it tiring, not a half term goes by without a significant fall out over it. The Facebook group can get heated.
I don’t want to be clique like, but it’s draining. Sometimes it feels like the second you help you become the one who gets an earful.
I’ve never had contact with the LA myself, I don’t really know anything about them. They seem heavy handed from what I see, but in an inconsistent way.