New school and EHCP

[Nurse1980]

Hi

We have moved house and my 9 year old daughter is due to start her new school. She had ASD and an EHCP.
It is a mainstream school.
She suffers from a high level of anxiety.
I have asked the school for a transition book with some photos. They are saying they are unable to do one as their SENCO is part time and it’s only a small school. Therefore they said they can’t put together a transition book like a larger school would do.
I honestly don’t know what to reply.
She really needs one.

That's really not a good start.
I mean, I know quite a few schools where they get the Yr6s to go round taking photos before Reception dc start, but why doesn't she already have one from last year, or the year before, that might only need a quick tweak ?

In the short term, you could offer to go in and take some yourself (after the rest of pupils have gone home so no safeguarding issue) but my much bigger concern would be that they aren't trying to help her transition into the school.

This is exactly our concern too 😥

Its making us doubt our choice in sending her there. I emailed back saying I’m only asking for a few photos.

Have you met the Senco? If not, I would be pushing for an urgent meeting. When is your DD due to start?
Do you feel confident that the new school is going to meet the specific provision laid out in Section F of her EHCP? If the school aren't able/willing to sort out a few photos beforehand I'd say you are right to have concerns.

Yes I met the SENCO and the head a few weeks ago. She is due to start on the 11th July. So they gave plenty of time.
The head has told me they can and they got a TA ready for her to support her EHCP hours.
She’s going in the week before for a tour and to meet her TA.
I just don’t understand at all.
I’ve got back to her to say it’s just a few photos. The OT has also recommended a transition book.

Could the TA not make it then ?
Even as a work task with some children ?

That is even more strange. When my DS was at primary, his TA always did his transition book. It's such a key thing and such a simple thing.

Apologies if you've already done this, but you could show your DD the new school's website? So at least she can see the uniform (if they have one), what the building looks like, some photos etc. Have you practised the journey too? That helped my son.

Point out their duty to make reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.

Well i emailed her back on Wednesday stating that I'm
not asking for much, just a few photos. No reply.
This seems hard work before she’s even started.

I would be pointing out that the SENCO might be part time, but their legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils is not part time. A reasonable adjustment would be to make this transition book for an autistic pupil that finds it difficult to cope with change.

It is not an unreasonable request and another professional has also recommended that she needs it.

Sorry to say this OP but this school sounds crap and she isn't even there yet.

@Ellie56 I would be pointing out that the SENCO might be part time, but their legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to make reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils is not part time.

I absolutely love this!

Yeah not great is it? I'd email again and ask if you could go in when school closed take a few pics of classroom, playground etc. Explain it will make transition smoother. If no answer does your la have a Sen team? You could ring them for advice?