Section 19 Provision. Can a child access this if attending school part time?

[LadiesandTents]

DD (ASD) is struggling with transition to secondary school and is missing either full days or half days.

She has already missed 7 full days since the start of term and only manages to get in to school if she’s coming home at lunch time; so she’s now only attending a few hours per day. This is likely to continue until at least half term.

School are not very forthcoming but have arranged a meeting for in a few weeks.

She is extremely academic so this is really frustrating as she is missing a lot of core subjects.

A relative of mine is a teacher and mentioned s19. Can a child access s19 provision if they are attending school half days? She would benefit from having tutors for core subjects in the afternoon.

If the part time school attendance means the pupil doesn’t receive a suitable, full-time education they can receive s19 provision. However, not all DC attending school part time will be eligible because not all will not be in receipt of a full-time education. So, it depends on what you mean by a few hours/what the school timetable is like?

Does DD have an EHCP?

It’s a standard MS school so lessons are scheduled for the full day but DD misses all of those afternoon lessons. Would this mean she would be eligible? How would I request it?

Sorry, I’ve no idea what an EHCP is but I will Google some information

An EHCP is a legal document that sets out a child’s needs and the support they require to meet those needs. If DD doesn’t have an EHCP you should request an EHCNA. On their website IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

There is no standard MS timetable. Schools are different. For example, some schools have tutor time, four 1hr lessons and break before lunch, with only one 1hr lesson after lunch. It is less likely a pupil anttending until lunch would qualify in a school like that compared to a school with two 1hr lessons and tutor after lunch.

Provision would need to be requested from the LA.

Oh I understand what you mean. DD has 2 hours scheduled after lunch so she will miss 10 hours per week. This wouldn’t be full time?

Should I just send an email to the LA? Is there a 15 day limit?

Sorry for all of the questions. I feel nobody is listening to me and your advice is so much help, thank you.

It isn’t necessarily about the time DD is missing in the afternoon, but the time she is there. The LGO generally consider full-time education to be between 21 and 25 hours a week. If DD is accessing that, or nearly that in the morning the LA is unlikely to have a duty to provide education.

Yes, you can email the LA. If the LA has a duty to provide education it should begin once it becomes clear 15 days will be missed. The days don’t need to have already been missed or consecutive.

Oh I understand; DD is there for 15 hours per week. Part of me worries they’ll say no because she hasn’t missed 15 days and we don’t know if she will suddenly attend full time next week. I can only ask.

I would appreciate knowing how you got along. I’m in a similar situation.