How do you keep going when it feels so hard?!

[NanSee]

DS has been out of school for nearly 2 years after his specialist placement failed.
Waiting for his EHCP to be reviewed since March 2021. Asked for change of provision.

No one will give me a straight answer.
My emails are ignored or fobbed off.

I made an ombudsman complaint but apparently it couldn’t be looked at because I hadn’t done the council complaints procedure properly. I hadn’t escalated my first complaint (because the response to that was an apology, and reassurances that it would be done- but if wasn’t) I’ve escalated now.
So much time is passing.

I feel like when you have a nightmare and try to scream but nothing comes out.
So helpless and frustrated.
it’s too much!

Is anyone else struggling?
I’m not sure why I’m posting. Hoping someone understands!

If DS can’t attend school the LA have a duty to provide an alternative education under s.19 of the education act 1996 and anything specified and quantified in section F of the EHCP under s.42 CAFA 2014. If the LA aren’t doing this email the Director of Children’s Services and threaten Judicial Review. If the threat doesn’t work contact SOSSEN for help with a pre-action letter.

The same for failing to hold an annual review. Email the Director of Children’s Services threatening JR.

Thank you for answering.
He has had no formal education at all.

I emailed my first complaint to the head of Children’s services, and head of sen. I don’t know if they just took my complaint as a bit of feedback though!

Will try that, thank you 😊

@NanSee

How disgraceful. Agree with everything LargeLegoHaul said.

IPSEA has a model letter to complain about failure to carry out the AR.

www.ipsea.org.uk/complaining-when-the-la-has-not-completed-an-annual-review

@Ellie56 Thank you for the link
Have spoken to County Hall and they have also emailed, as the ombudsman have told them I’ve made a premature complaint.
Not sure what happens now, but that letter template is a great help if I need to do another.
Thanks again!

At this stage you don’t want to complain via the formal complaints process then the LGO. You want to go down the Judicial Review route as it will bring about a quicker resolution, but if you go down the complaints route you won’t be able to begin JR proceedings as you have accepted their is an alternative route.

Ah ok, thank you. It’s all so overwhelming!