Can anybody tell me what school should be providing for my dyspraxic and autistic year 12 child who has had a lot of time off with hospital admissions and illness

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She is just sitting in lessons unable to focus, not accessing/ doing homework or anything.

No IEP just some sort of support sheet that hasn’t changed since year 7, no targets or plans to attain any targets. Never ever hear from Senco.

I think they just are hoping she drops out or retakes the year.

The school should be making reasonable adjustments for DD’s autism and dyspraxia, but with respect to the time off the school don’t have to provide anything. The onus is on DD to catch up.

Have you applied for an EHCNA.

What do you want them to do that they aren’t.

Is she doing A Levels? They can put students under a lot of pressure, are difficult and there is lots of study. If Dd is not well enough to study for them at the moment, then even with more support it might just be too much for her.
An EHCP could give her different options for study and support. So I would apply for an EHCNA.

I've been there with unsupportive schools, I believed what they told me. Unfortunately the only way that we have made progress for Ds is to push for it. It's not easy and it's unbelievably stressful, especially when you have a child with additional needs that is struggling. But you can't sit and wait for the school to act.... because they won't.

Her last admission was for 6 weeks and a couple of months ago now. Quite technical Alevels so some time with teachers to go over what she missed. Ways to help her focus in class, do homework and attain what she is capable of or needs( not talking As here). They initially said they absolutely wouldn’t be doing 1-1 then our key worker lady went in and now they’re saying they’ve offered it but she’s not taking it up. We don’t know what they actually offered as SD struggled to communicate re anything tricky and just shuts down. They also told us they’d written off this year even though it was quite early on. We then went back saying we’d need an EHCP and they told the key worker lady who said they should have started one that they hadn’t written her off.

Dd just sits in the lessons.

So basically in reality they have written her off for the year but on paper they haven’t.

We have no IEP just a really dire sheet that hasn’t changed for years, dd says does nothing and bares no reflection to one.
She gets extra time and always has. So an IEP with targets or goals maybe and info as to how they’re helping her reach those goals. Help to attain what she is capable of?I don’t know. Have heard nothing from Senco and she has been ill for some time.

I don’t know what is a reasonable expectation. All I know is the SEN provision is woeful compared to the provision in my school and IEPs as I know them.

Sadly, although it would be nice if they did, they don’t have to go over the missed content with DD. 1:1 in Y12 without an EHCP is not going to happen, there isn’t the funding. Schools often don’t apply for an EHCNA, but you can do that yourself (if you work in a school why haven’t you already applied?), as could the key worker so she shouldn’t be passing the buck either.

Even a good IEP is likely to be of little use here. Ways to help DD focus in class are probably beyond the knowledge of the school, an EP, OT, SALT assessment is likely needed. The MH team should also be able to help. In what way does DD struggle to complete homework? If she is struggling to work outside of class time are you sure A levels are the right path? On top of homework private study is usually required.

Does she actually want to continue with year 12?

It sounds like she has missed big chunks of work. That would be hard for any student to catch up with, let alone one with additional needs. It could be the pressure of A Level study is too much at the moment.

Yes she does. She had 6 week admission and other days before Christmas. She is in recovery now. Physically well. Mentally getting there and coping with the traits from her Dyspraxia and ASC. Wants to stay in current year but focus taking a while to improve and needs to work on MH at home so often can’t study. It’s a grammar. She’s bright but had a tough few years mentally. I don’t think disability should stop her but hear what you’re saying.

It’s the fact we’ve heard nothing from Senco, Excuse for IEP is shite etc. Wondering what the Senco does in 6th form. Haven’t done it myself as advised wouldn’t be successful at the moment because they’re saying they’re providing, but they’re not.. 😩

As per your other thread, many schools and LAs tell parents they won’t get or don’t need an EHCP but the parents go on to successfully apply themselves. DD isn’t going to get the support she needs without one.

SENCOs are often not very active in sixth form especially without an EHCP. Have you approached them?

I agree with Punx, given the pace of A levels and the volume of content if DD is behind now it is going to be very difficult to catch up especially with DD’s additional needs.

Yes. They’ve said she has a place to restart next year but the issues will still need addressing.

I'm an A-level teacher. Students are approx half way through the year 1 content by now (or should be...thank you Covid...) and a third of the way through the teaching part of the course. It's not catch up able at this point without intensive intervention. Have you got her CGP guides for all the subjects and considered tutors? Some of my ND students get on better with Teams/Zoom learning than sitting in class. I also hear good things about UpLearn if it's the right subjects.

Alternatively, face that she's going to be repeating year 12 and arrange a meeting with the HOY and SENCO ASAP to discuss best way forward.

Apply for an EHCP. I've written advices for similar children and the plan has been agreed.