Sen hell is it just me?

[twiglets111]

I have 2 children with Sen. Both at various stages of Ehcp. My oldest son is not as school since September as they did not put support in place. The school and the LA do nothing but break the law. Failing to provide recommendations, not following the process for reviews, and not responding for weeks. The list goes on and meanwhile my son rots away at home. It's terrible. I feel so stressed. They system is so stacked against parents. They are breaking the law but aside from employing solicitors it's impossible to hold them to account. They just ignore my requests for law or policy that justifies what they say or decisions they make, which I know are not lawful. I can't believe the injustice. I want to walk away but I won't. I can't let them get away with it but I feel I can't win. Worst of all is being constantly in conflict. I don't recognise myself anymore. I don't know if I have lost perspective? Am I going mad? Does this process make everyone feel like this? I feel like some crazy lady picking the school and LA up on everything that they do wrong. Am I alone in feeling this?

The LA have a statutory duty to provide education for your DC out of school. If they aren't, threaten Judicial Review. Usually the threat works, but if not you will need to send a pre action letter - SOS SEN may be able to help if you need to.

I'm unclear if your DC are going through the EHCP application process or whether they've already got them. If you are going through the process of getting one and the LA are not sticking to time limits then threaten JR for this too. If either of them already has a finalised EHCP and they aren't receiving the provision, you can also threaten JR, but only if the provision is detailed, specific and quantified.

Here is SOS SEN's information sheet on JR.

Thankyou. It's complicated. His plan was finalised after he was out of school. Section f was all to be provided by school that he is no longer attending. We have had a review. They have given him few hours tutoring. I think I understand the processes but there are just so many things that they are doing that are not lawful. I don't know where to start. Some of it is outside of ehcp but related to breech of equality act. Just wondering if how I feel is normal?? H have lost perspective.

Yes, LA's not acting lawfully is commonplace, and it is a horrendously stressful process.

The LA are ultimately responsible for provision in Section F regardless of what school is named in I, if they are not doing so, and section F is specific and quantified, then threaten JR.

When you're constantly battling with people who ignore you and ignore the law it is incredibly frustrating and you do feel like you're going mad.

They just ignore my requests for law or policy that justifies what they say or decisions they make
What is it you want specific information on?

And no it's not just you. I've heard countless horror stories from people up and down the country, and there are more on these boards.

Have a look at some of the Goose and Carrot threads on the SN Chat board.

Thanks All. Re what I want specific advice on - its just basically that they tell one lie after another, dont follow the legal processes, dont provide section F or any kind of education for my son - its just endless. It feels like institutional gas lighting and its just helpful to hear its not just me! Thank you

I hear you op! Rant away!

My son was out of school for 7 months before we sorted it out with the la. They offered no support whatsoever during this time. Ignored all times scales, ignored my calls etc. We are also taking his school to court for equality act breaches, as over my dead body will they get away with it.

Are u getting any support for any charities? Is your local send iass of any help?

If your son is of statutory school age and is not getting education here's what to do:

www.ipsea.org.uk/getting-temporary-education-put-in-place

If the LA are not providing the provision in section F and it is specific and quantified &/or they are not providing education for your DS out of school then threaten Judicial Review. Threatening JR usually results in prompt action. See the link I posted up thread.

SENDIAS can be brilliant, but be careful because they are not completely independent, they get LA funding so will ultimately toe the party line.

Also, maybe threaten (carry out) a call to Ofsted- no school would want that.

So sad to say it’s definitely not just you. Schools are under huge financial pressure. It may explain, but doesn’t excuse them breaking the law though.
I second looking through the IPSEA website. It’s a charity designed for parents in your position:
www.ipsea.org.uk/