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Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Reception help

9 replies

Advicechange · 01/03/2023 20:10

DS is in reception with EHCP and 1:1 provision. However that is provided by staff following a timetable (which I don’t have a copy of) so he’s with someone different every hour rather than always with the same person. DS is very attached to one of the staff who works with him and requests her all the time at drop off and pick up. One day last week, this person had to get DS from the car because he’ll only go inside the classroom for her. Since then though, this staff member hasn’t been available in the morning or afternoon for me to discuss his day. DS eventually went in today without her but it took more than half an hour and I had to agree to a half day.
WIBU to request through the head that the staff member DS likes is with him for the day? Or that she is at least made available for morning door duty?

OP posts:
PleasantZen · 01/03/2023 20:22

I wouldn't go in with that request but make them aware of how not having them is effecting DS and see if they come up with any solutions

Anothernameanother · 01/03/2023 21:01

It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask, but it is up to the school to allocate staff, so it wouldn't be unreasonable of the school to say no. I would request having her to meet him in the morning to ease transition. But if he's clingy to her, that may not be possible.

JustKeepBuilding · 01/03/2023 22:54

Do speak to the school about drop off/pick up and how it can be made easier, but, along with other adjustments, but requesting that specific member of staff which may not be feasible, you may be better requesting consistency rather than a specific person.

What does DS’s EHCP state? Does it state the 1:1 needs to be a consistent individual or 2? Or does it not stipulate anything like that?

Original poster
Advicechange · 02/03/2023 16:19

JustKeepBuilding · 01/03/2023 22:54

Do speak to the school about drop off/pick up and how it can be made easier, but, along with other adjustments, but requesting that specific member of staff which may not be feasible, you may be better requesting consistency rather than a specific person.

What does DS’s EHCP state? Does it state the 1:1 needs to be a consistent individual or 2? Or does it not stipulate anything like that?

It doesn’t stipulate a consistent person and this is against the schools policy anyway. His 1:1 timetable features 8 or 9 members of staff across a week so as far as I can tell no day is the same for him.

OP posts:
JustKeepBuilding · 02/03/2023 18:14

8 or 9 members of staff acting as DS’s 1:1 is ridiculous, no wonder he isn’t coping. Unfortunately without anything in F stating otherwise you can’t force the school to change that.

The school can claim it is their policy, but if it is in F it must be provided regardless of what they normally do, so at the next AR you need to try to get section F amended to include consistency/a lower number of staff.

Anothernameanother · 02/03/2023 18:31

I'd also suggest you ask now for the rationale between having so many adults to support. 3-4 could easily be due to logistics and wanting to avoid dependency, but not 8-9!

Christmasbahhumbug · 03/03/2023 06:17

It might be that this member of staff has a specific skill set that is needed for other children some of the time. DD has Elsa support but only for a couple of sessions a week. I know her Elsa works in another class most of the time but comes out to support DD.

It wouldn’t hurt to ask but it might be that they don’t want your lo to become dependent on one person.

Original poster
Advicechange · 03/03/2023 06:51

I know they need to avoid dependency, I’m actually wondering if I’m dependent on her and therefore a bit more anxious when it’s not her. She just has a way of talking to DD which he can relate to and when she does hand him over at the end of the day, she always tells me the positives rather than focus on what he’s done badly or not done that day.

OP posts:
Anothernameanother · 03/03/2023 07:01

Advicechange · 03/03/2023 06:51

I know they need to avoid dependency, I’m actually wondering if I’m dependent on her and therefore a bit more anxious when it’s not her. She just has a way of talking to DD which he can relate to and when she does hand him over at the end of the day, she always tells me the positives rather than focus on what he’s done badly or not done that day.

It's fair to understand that, and completely understandable that you might get attached to a member of staff. But as I'm sure you recognise, that's not an appropriate reason to have her collect/drop off.

Do other staff tell you negatives, or just nothing?

Is you child making progress?

Would asking for written feedback help?

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