School refusing to support child into reception. Yet to receive the draft EHCP. Any advocacy/support services who can help please.

[yummychocolate]

Hi

My 4 year old is due to start reception in September 2023. He has social communication difficulties and is on the waiting list to be assessed (nursery thinks he has ADHD).

He currently attends nursery attached to the school. School are saying he won't manage reception and that they can't meet his needs. They want him to stay in nursery and think he would be best suited in a specialist provision.

I understand he has difficulties and he would struggle in reception without additional support but I was hoping they would be arranging for him to spend some time in reception for example, an hour a day to get him used to the environment and for him to be given the opportunity to interact with his peers. I feel like the school has let him down. Initially they told me they would be doing a longer phased transition into reception they have now gone against this.

Does anyone know of any advocacy services who can come with me to meetings with the school in Bromley (South London) area please? Any other advice would be much appreciated.

Follow up all verbal communication with emails, so you have a paper trail. Do you have in writing they can’t meet DS’s needs/think he needs SS?

SENDIASS may be able to support you. Whilst you should be careful with them as they don’t always give accurate advice about EHCPs, they can attend meeting with you for free. I wouldn’t pay for an advocate at this point, save your money for if you have to appeal the EHCP and need independent reports.

Where are you in the EHCP process, will the EHCP be finalised before September? Is the LA sticking to the statutory timescales?

If an EHCP is issued is a SS your preference?

Thank you so much for your advice. No they haven't put anything in writing. We had conversations before about how they will be gradually introducing him to reception in September and now they have changed their mind.

The LA are definitely not keeping to the timescales. My son's caseworker left so he was left unallocated and nothing was progressing until I emailed to say I was going to complain.

At the moment the EHCP has been agreed and the manager was going to allocate a caseworker to draft a plan. I don't know if it will be finalised by September but I will contact the LA to find out when the draft will be ready to review.

I really want my son to be supported in mainstream or at least give him that chance to see how he settles with the support before considering a specialist provision.

You need to follow up verbal conversations with emails, don’t wait for the school to email first.

If the LA are in breach of the EHCP timescales email the Director of Children’s Services threatening judicial review if they continue to delay.

You need someone from the SEN parent support service to advise and possibly attend a meeting with you.

https://www.bromleyparentvoice.org.uk/

Don’t live in your area but this service is available in each borough so googled

Be careful with SENDIASS, some are good, but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful advice.

Thank you all so much for your help. I spoke to SENDIASS earlier in the week and I thought they were helpful. When the draft plan comes out they said they can go through it with me.

I will contact Bromley Parent Voice tomorrow.