Residential schools

[Silencedwitness]

I have two children with asd and adhd. But it’s my youngest who I am really struggling with. She’s 6 and attends a specialist school but is very difficult with complex needs. I am considering a residential school for a variety of reasons. Could anyone advise if we wanted this as an option how we could go about it please?

Hi op,

Do you have a social worker from the children's with disabilities team?

No. No social worker. I know this sounds stupid but I’m embarrassed ringing them.

Don't be embarrassed! Your doing everything you can in a very difficult situation and you need some help. No shame in that whatsoever!

If this a route you want to explore you are going to need a social worker from the children's with disabilities team on your side. They may be able to offer you respite which won't solve your problems but may make them more manageable.

We have a social worker and get respite, overnight and during holidays and weekends. It definitely made things more manageable and given my ds lots of different opportunities. I put it off for years but its been a great decision for all of us.

I assume your dc has an EHCP? The first step would be to hold an emergency annual review. Try to get someone from the LA to attend. For a residential school usually there would need to be significant social care/ care needs. Are you struggling at home? I think as someone suggested a request for involvement from the children's disability team would also be good.
The LA will think about whether current school can meet needs. Are they saying they cannot manage?