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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

Need help with dds school

12 replies

MaxwellCat · 31/07/2023 13:09

Dd is home educated due to no school available to meet her needs they wanted to put her into the local mainstream that said they couldn’t meet her needs, I really need her back in school as it’s very difficult having her home full time and I’m struggling with it (she’s autistic/pda/adhd) anyway she has a ehcp and was due an annual review this month but the LA keep ignoring me. I have called and emailed them so many times but they don’t get back to me. Even when I call them they say the case worker will call me back to me but they never do. Where do I go from here? I was looking forward to this annual review so I can get her a place in a suitable school (not mainstream) but they won’t do her annual review I’ve been trying since may. Any advice on what I can do next?

OP posts:

OvertakenByLego · 31/07/2023 16:38

Email the Director of Children’s Services, reminding them of their duty to hold an annual review at least every 12 months. If the LA ignores you or delays email again informing them if they don’t comply with their statutory duties you will be forced to pursue judicial review proceedings. Then, if that doesn’t work, you need a pre-action letter.

As well as this, in the email to the Director of Children’s Services inform them you no longer wish to EHE so they need to make arrangements to provide a suitable, full-time education and anything detailed, specified and quantified in F of DD’s EHCP.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 05/08/2023 19:06

https://www.kids.org.uk/Pages/Default.aspx?CategoryTitle=resources&SubsiteTitle=sendiass SENDIASS may be able to help in some way, or there may be useful advice on their website.

I know it's not helpful if you can't get a review, but have you identified a school which you think would suit your DD? Have you considered mainstream with a base or unit attached? I believe some special schools may also offer help with getting the school named, if they believe they can meet the needs of the student?

OvertakenByLego · 05/08/2023 19:10

Be careful with SENDIASS, some are good, but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies.

GreenMeanMachine · 05/09/2023 20:15

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/complaining-when-the-la-has-not-completed-an-annual-review

I would follow this advice. Complaint letter to Director of Children Services and then if no response as IPSEA advise call their hotline.

Complaining when your LA has not completed an annual review: Model letter 8

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD: Complaining when your LA has not completed the annual review of an education health and care plan (model letter 8) When should I complain? Following an annual review your LA must make one of three decisions: To amend (change) the EHC...

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/complaining-when-the-la-has-not-completed-an-annual-review

OvertakenByLego · 05/09/2023 21:05

If emailing the Director of Children’s Services doesn’t work contacting SOSSEN would be better than IPSEA because SOSSEN can help with a pre-action letter.

Doobrah · 07/09/2023 00:09

I would echo what is stated here - if you revoke your choice to EHE, the LA will have to find your child a school placement. This is unlikely to be the specialist provision you would prefer but it would mean she would be back in a school setting where staff will be able to support her needs and you in terms of navigating the system.

Doobrah · 07/09/2023 00:10

Oh, and, btw - a school with places has to take a child with an EHCP, they have no choice.

Original poster

MaxwellCat · 07/09/2023 09:35

Hi all thanks for the comments I can’t send her to mainstream she is aggressive and recently hit someone in a shop she also attacks her siblings and me and I’m worried for other children’s safety and her own as obviously they will retaliate. She has severe behavioural problems even taking her out is difficult and she often needs restraining and wears reigns for safety. She has also started behaving inappropriately with touching etc and doesn’t respond to no (she just laughs) I can’t guarantee she will be safe in mainstream.

OP posts:

gogomoto · 07/09/2023 10:38

Generally they need to place her, that breaks down then she'll get a specialist place - remember some children behave differently in school too

Original poster

MaxwellCat · 07/09/2023 10:43

She was the same in school if not worse she's been to school but she had a full time 1:1 all the way through till year 6 when she left

OP posts:

Original poster

MaxwellCat · 07/09/2023 10:44

She was worse in school, attacked teachers, escaped the school despite having a 1:1 but they still named mainstream.

OP posts:

OvertakenByLego · 07/09/2023 10:47

Have you pushed for the AR yet?

A school has to admit (whether they have places or not) a child with an EHCP if they are named in it. It is the LA, and ultimately SENDIST, who decides whether to name a placement in I or whether one of the lawful exceptions for refusing to name the parental preference apply, not the school.

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