AR - Do I tell school I don’t want to name them

[Lesley25]

My annual review is next week.

I am toying with saying that I don’t want to put the provision down for the next year because I don’t want everyone to leave us for a year thinking we can cope, when I’m really on the fence as to whether we can.
Can I suggest a 6 month review? That’s jot
legally binding though and my LA don’t do anything outside of an annual review. They barely update the EHCP!

it’s no secret I have wanted to wait for residential provision till my son is 18/19 but now my ds is 15, and the huge shift in behaviours and general difficulties these last few months I’ve started to question whether I can get to 18.

My social worker knows our difficulties and even with an increase in respite , I’m not convinced it’s enough, for me or my son. It’s so obvious he needs a waking 24 hour curriculum, he regresses at home, carers are inadequate with minimal activities he’s interested in, and he struggles hugely with the transition now in the holidays and they break me.

Shall I request an EP at the annual review? They would surely see how important a 24 hour curriculum is and the report could also help me in the future prove my points. My main worry is I don’t want the LA to sit on their hands for a year if we break down.

Shall I start telling everyone that a residential placement should now be looked at? It wouldn’t happen overnight anyway, but I don’t want to reach a poo t where it’s is crisis and a place then has to be found, periods of home time, etc

The college placement I recently saw had a residential provision attached (I loved it, perfect for 18, but will probably be a fight as expensive and out of LA) , but could be an option, they also have a school attached but only one child who boards.

I am torn, I don’t want his school to then be hands off if they think this, but I also don’t want the LA and everyone around the table to Walk away and think it’s a problem we can address next annual review - when I’m worried about the year ahead.
similarly I’m not ready for
my son to go into residential yet but I’m worried we will all break. I don’t think we will last the year.

I wouldn’t rely on an early review.

If you want an EP assessment, ask prior to the AR. Although the LA may not agree and force you to formally request a reassessment of needs.

Yes, I would raise how much you are struggling. As you say, it is going to take time, especially if you have to appeal. The last thing you want is to reach crisis point.

Thank you @YellowRosesWithRedTips i will formally request a reassessment of needs, I know I have something similar going through with my sw.

Just an update for anyone that’s interested.

I didn’t mention the name of the place.

The sendo didn’t turn up , apparently they’ve been told they don’t have to turn up to annual reviews because of their workload!!

I have asked for a reassessment of needs on the EHCP which will be fed back to the sendo.
…whether anything will happen with that remains to be seen..

I will get a list of current colleges and residential provisions for my he transition worker and will make appointments to see them over the course of the next year to gather evidence and see if they are suitable.

It isn’t uncommon for the LA to not to attend the AR. If you want a reassessment of needs, make the request yourself. Don’t rely on the message being passed on via the school. Same for looking at schools/colleges, don’t rely on the list you are given. You can search for placements here and here.

Ok thank you @YellowRosesWithRedTips