Requirements for SEN for primary admissions

[panicmerchant]

Dear all, DS is an emotionally challenged 3 yo boy, who needs routine and is having problems socialising at pre-school. Am petrified he will not get into our closest primary this coming year due to high number of siblings. I hope we can make convincing case on social needs basis that this is only school suited to him due to familiarity and routine and intimate one form entry.

Recently his teacher suggested speaking to SENCO and it got me thinking if I could apply to get him accepted to that school under SN criteria. I doubt we will get statement in time but how do we get referral? Who should we ask our GP for referral to - psychiatrist or other specialist? Any recommendations in London. Time is running out and prepared to pay for private assessment.

Ps this is not an 'outstanding school' and there are others we could put down with higher results etc but fear for his ability to settle as an August boy among other issues.

Many thanks xxx

Hi Panicmerchant - I don't know about the school admissions part, but from what the teacher (at pre-school) has said (or not said?) I wonder if the more important thing is a referral for an assessment?

Have you met with the SENCO at the pre-school to ask what their concerns are? What specific issues have they noted with your DS? How is his development, compared to the early learning goals? Do they think a referral is advisable?

If you wanted to go along this route, then I think you'd need to see your (child's) GP, and request to be referred - I think this can be different in different parts of the country. My DS (sounds similar to yours at pre-school age - he was also reliant on routine and had trouble socialising) was referred age 4, at the end of his pre-school year, firstly to a paediatrician, and then to a clinical psychologist, under CAMHS (Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services). For us, it was a two year process to get a diagnosis (Autism Spectrum in his case) - so not quick! I don't know what waiting times are like in other parts of the country.... but if you have concerns, it is worth at least getting into the system by requesting a referral from the GP.

By the way, the statementing process has changed since 1 September, - (although mostly in name) to EHC - Education Health and Care plans.

One issue you may find with private diagnosis is that I think schools/local authority may not be prepared to accept them with the same weight as NHS diagnosis - I am not sure about this, but it would be worth checking with others that might know better.

Thanks for your replies. Sorry it took you so long to get a diagnosis Pawan. Was that down to waiting times or because it was tricky to detect? Do you need to get a statement to be considered for special needs for admissions criteria to a school? Poltergoose by emotionally challenged I mean he finds it hard to keep his anger in check. He goes from nought to 100 in seconds. He doesn't always hit but does scream or fling stuff. This is over the smallest thing such as if you open a door he wanted to open. Other times you will ask him a question and he will completely blank you. He struggles badly with motor skills, dressing etc. am meeting school's SENCO soon thankfully at their instigation.

Diagnosis wait in our case was down to waiting times in our area, which were very long. The assessment they do is fairly comprehensive, and some children are found to be "borderline" - so some parents can feel their child has significant issues, but not end up with an actual diagnosis. The diagnosis of anything (e.g. Autism Spectrum) doesn't mean you can or will get a statement (or EHC) at school.

My DS was on "school action plus" with an IEP (individual Education Plan) at a mainstream school, (now called SEND support I think) which means the school got in a small amount of extra services for him (ELSA in his case, but could be things like speech therapy etc) - and that they could meet his needs without the need to apply for a statement.

Individual schools will have their own admission criteria (check on the school website). For children in the past that had a statement, I think you could make a case (and name) which school could best meet their needs; and I believe you can do the same in the new EHC plans. But it's quite a long process; and I hear that EHC plans will be more difficult to qualify for (more people applying and no more money in the pot for support ) - and it's not a magical passport to school admission, so I wouldn't look at it that way....

I would try and make a note of your own concerns about his development, motor skills, and frustrations, and then see what the SENCO says as well, as hopefully he/she will have some thoughts on what the issues are, and whether he needs any extra support now, or might need it in the future.

Best wishes.

for school entrance criteria, I think that I am right in saying that unless he has a statement before 15th Jan (application deadline) then it won't make any difference.
School applications are done by computer on a complex formula. I have no idea why they have a section for you to write your reasons, as they are not relevant, and not looked at. (they may become relevant in the event of an appeal?)

It is really hard to convince parents that the fact that this school suits your child for this reason has absolutely no influence on the application.

The criteria listed on the councils website (typically - looked after children, SEN (which means that the school is listed on the child's statement) then siblings, then distance from school ) these are the ONLY criteria that are used. The SEN one is very specific to children with a statement, where the school is listed as part of that statement, possibly because the school has eg a unit for the deaf.

sorryI meant to say, statements no longer exist, so it is the EHC plan that now replaces the statement.

I think you definitely need to seek an assessment for your son. Gp is always a good starting point but it would be a paediatrician you would need to see, at his age it is likely to be a developmental/ congenital issue rather than an issue for a psychiatrist. As the previous poster mentioned, they are right about private assessments not being viewed in the same way as an nhs assessment by local authorities, so its always good to go via the NHS route. Even without a long waiting list diagnosis take time because they like to gather evidence from teachers and parents and observe the child in clinic, often a number of times.

In theory you can start the statement process (now the EHC plans) without a diagnosis but in practice it is very hard without a diagnosis of 'something' from the NHS. Even without a statement/EHC plan there are two levels of support the school can provide.

As for SN securing the school of your choice, this would be in the case of a child who had the school named on their plan/Statement. If it came to appeal though you can cite SN and the suitability of the school of your choice, however it is entirely up to the head, its not a golden ticket unfortunately. A nice head however may accept your appeal.

Do you have any support OP, by that I mean any agency involvement? Getting someone to start a team around a child meeting for your son sounds like it could be a real help in helping navigate you through the next steps and offer you support parenting a child with additional needs.

Thanks everyone. Stepped that's really good advice re all admissions just being computer generated. Notgivenupyet that is an excellent point about using it possibly in an appeal. The teachers are very nice though do not yet know the head personally. Must make an effort in the new year.
DS is now being referred by the school for a clinical assessment through the NHS but it will take ages and not enough time for school admissions. Wonder if we can delay his reception by one year as he is also summer born, so a double whammy of potential challenge. The SENCO person refused to give me any labels or diagnosis, quite rightly, but based on his symptoms he may have dyspraxia. On the social side, it could me mild autism (goes up to children and makes noise or shouts to get their attention, or snatches toys. Wants to make friends but no idea how) or ADHD - flits from activity to activity, does not sit except if it involves a screen or a book being read to him. Clearly no expert but these are my hunches.

I think your hunches sound sensible ones, its also not uncommon for their to be 'more than one ' both my sons have Autism but my eldest has ADHD and Dyslexia too he also is a summer Birthday and I wish I had known all that I know now,( having learnt the hard way!) and delayed his starting school, but back then if they missed reception they had to join year 1 and I thought that would be even worse for him. I think your suggestion of a delayed start sounds a really good idea worth exploring further. Do you have any help at all, like speech therapy? Or early bird program because these things can bring them on in their development wonderfully. It may be worth searching for an Autism support group near you and getting some advice and support from parents who have been down this path already and can point you in the direction of some support for you and your son. It sounds like you have your sons best interest at heart and are going to do your best for him, so good luck and don't be frightened to fight the system for him.

Planning to move to surrey this summer,we bought a house over a year ago as my husband works in the area. I am in wales with the boys,the oldest (4yr old) has a diagnosis of asd, a statement and currently attends a unit attached to mainstream.We applied for a school place and were very disapointed after the panel meeting we recieved a letter saying that the panel have read all information we sent but feel that the needs of our little one could be met in mainstream? His current school said at the statement review Nov 14 they think in time he could spend some time in mainstream class so unit with mainstream is still only option for him as he wouldnt cope in mainstream full time. I dont know what next step is, any advice ? Thanks