Hi everyone,
Just after some advice really. My son has just yesterday received his proposed statement (NI). The educational psychologist has recommended mainstream with a 1:1 (currently in Primary one in mainstream). Here's the kicker.. Before Christmas he was in 9:30-11:55 but this didn't work and we but breaking point.. He was taken by the hands by two assistants and took into the classroom while he was incredibly upset, he then hit his teacher.. When I collected him she said "it's not nice being hit by a child you know!".. Bringing me to now.. He's on a ridiculously reduced time table of one hour per day (he can't cope and they don't have the resources so this is the conclusion.. I also don't want him suffering for a five hour day), doesn't enter the classroom at all, he cannot cope with the noise and too many people. He spends his time in the area outside the classroom or in a quiet space, doesn't do much work and is miles behind his peers (he should also be P2 age but was deferred, oldest in his year now). He cries every morning going, gets butterflies in his belly at nights. He's isolated from the class as he won't enter. I have asked could they accommodate a couple of other children coming to his quieter space and working with him to help aid social skills and relationships - they've only done this once. I've tried tirelessly to get them to do something but it doesn't amount to anything.. They didn't even bother sending their educational advice in for his statement!
He has technically had a 1:1 the whole time from starting school as the classroom assistant always has to be with him. So I don't see this making a difference.. but the educational psychologist was eager to try a 1:1 before a unit. He has not attended school for almost three weeks now due to hitting a complete breaking point with his mental health.
I should note the previous two years of nursery were not much better.
Sorry for the long winded post but what grounds do I have here? Can I name a unit within a mainstream in part 4 if his proposed statement? I know it will be a fight and I'm willing to do that but just need to know where I stand. In his proposed statement it mentions a few times "currently not able to cope in a mainstream" "significant difficulty entering the classroom".. so reading it you would assume how could they come to this conclusion??
Thanks for any help in advance!
Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.
SEN
Proposed statement - disagree with placement?
DallasCounty23 · 12/03/2024 13:28
Thisismynewusernamedoyoulikeit · 12/03/2024 18:18
I'm not saying it's what you should do, but it could be also worth considering a different mainstream school? Some are better than other with SEND, or particular types of SEND.
Headfirstintothewild · 12/03/2024 16:27
Once the statement has been finalised, you can will be able to appeal if necessary. You can request the additionally resourced provision. For many units, the mainstream school is named in Part 4 and the ARP detailed in 3. Although sometimes ARP can be named themselves in 4. If DS can’t attend school, is the education authority making alternative provision? If you don't already know about them, have a look at SENAC's website.
Headfirstintothewild · 12/03/2024 19:18
If DS can’t attend school request alternative provision.
Headfirstintothewild · 12/03/2024 21:59
It depends on DS’s needs, what is suitable and what is available locally. It could be home tuition (although the word tuition can be used lightly, it doesn’t have to be formal tuition), hospital school, a unit the EA use for this purpose, an alternative provision such as a care farm.
Headfirstintothewild · 13/03/2024 13:39
Special schools aren’t just for those with moderate or severe learning disabilities. Not all SS require a diagnosis. Although some autism specialist schools do require a formal diagnosis.
You can state your preferred placement even if the EP has suggested mainstream. For some units the unit is named in part 4. For other units the mainstream school is named in part 4 with the unit provision detailed in part 3. It depends on the unit.
If the statement is written correctly tailored support can be given in MS, ARP or SS.
ARPs work for some, but not for others. They also vary greatly so it is worth visiting and speaking to the specific unit you are thinking of.
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