Primary exclusions no support

[Whysomanyfoxes]

DS is in mainstream state year 2 and has had four fixed-term exclusions this calendar year. School have not sent home work for three of these.

School have not supported my application for ECH needs assessment, so I’ve sent one off anyway. He has severe anxiety.

Despite asking for weeks about timeframe for SPD and EP assessments school refuse to answer my questions.

School now threatening permanent exclusion and say that son’s small class size (20), experienced teacher and class TA is enough support for him.

Son has been having ELSA sessions which concluded today. No further plans for interventions.

GP didn’t want to refer to CAMHS so I have made contact with them myself.

I have been recommended private EP and SPD OT, who have availability soon.

What would others do about the whole situation? Thanks

Are these exclusions formal exclusions? And how many days have they been for?

The school must make their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN. They should be providing more support. If they need additional funding they can apply for high needs top up funding. Have you spoken to the SENCO? Follow up any verbal information with emails so you have evidence should you need it.

An OT assessment via school is unlikely. For this you need to either go via the NHS and, if the LA agree to assess, an assessment can be part of the EHCNA (a psychiatrist &/or clinical psychologist assessment can be part of the EHCNA too). Sadly outwith the EHCP process pressure on school EP time is great. You are better focusing on the EHCNA. What week are you on?

A permanent exclusion as a result of a child’s disability may be disability discrimination, especially if the school aren’t providing support, but depending on specifics the school may argue they had a legitimate cause due to health and safety.

IPSEA and SOSSEN have lots of helpful information on their websites if you haven’t already looked at them.

School can not have it both ways. Either they can support him school & no need for exclusions. Or, as a heck of a lot more likely, he needs more support than the school are currently giving. You have definitely done the right thing by applying for an EHCP assessment as the exclusions show he needs support regardless of how academic or not he is (both of mine had EHCP's because of behavioural issues rather than academic needs).