Meeting needs

[yorkmum2017]

Wanting advice really, my son 6, has autism and global development delay, currently goes to a mainstream school.

Basics is he is improving academically, but I feel some basics needs aren't being met.

He is still in nappies (due an appointment at the bowel clinic next month) this is stated in his EHCP, but they keep not changing him all day and saying that he "won't let them" this baffles me as if he says no at home I tell him he can't do.... whatever he wants to do until it's done and he will do it. This has been going on for nearly 2 weeks now. I spoke to Senco and she wasn't even aware of it and said she would have a word but that's it.

Secondly he has trouble with social interaction and likes the bike they have a school, they sent a note home the other day asking if I could buy him a bike to keep in school as he gets upset when he has to share it, as much as I understand this I can't help but think but surely as it says in his EHCP about him struggling with this it's something you should be working on instead of just giving him his own?

Lastly, it's school SATs at the moment, because of this they have asked me not to bring my son into school until they are over (around midday) as he's too loud and disruptive and wants to be in that room (as it's normally where he goes when he needs to calm down or get out of the classroom again as much as I understand it's not fair on the kids doing the exams surely there should be things in place to avoid this as now my sons extremely disregarded because he doesn't understand why he's not going soon after he wakes up?

There is other things but they are from a while ago so won't go into it too much.

Not really sure what to do here as all the requests for special schools keep getting denied. So now not sure what to do next? Any suggestions....

they have asked me not to bring my son into school until they are over (around midday)

This is an unlawful informal exclusion. Complain. DS can attend full-time. You don’t have to not take him in until lunchtime.

Also complain about the school not being changed.

It sounds like you need an early review of the EHCP. When you say all the requests for special schools keep getting denied, have you appealed?

Hi. I haven't as I kept being told it's a waste of time and as there's no spaces there's not a lot anyone can do about it? Also they apply for him (the school) so I'm not even sure if they have done this term now or not? I have brought up the nappy thing yesterday and the Senco said she wasn't even aware of it and will speak to the staff and she agreed it's not ok. X

You should appeal. Ignore anyone telling you it is a waste of time. It absolutely isn’t.

Have you looked at all school including independent specialists, NMSS and those out of area?

Do you currently have the right of appeal? If so, appeal. If you don’t currently have the right of appeal, you need to request an early review. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Also they apply for him (the school) so I'm not even sure if they have done this term now or not?

This isn’t how it works. As part of the review process you can make it known you want a change of placement, why and point out evidence supporting the need. Following the annual review meeting the LA will inform you if they are going to amend or not. If they aren’t, you get the right of appeal. If they do amend, you get a draft with the proposed amendments and get to state your preferred school. When the LA finalise if they don’t name your preferred placement you can appeal.

When you state your preferred school, wholly independent schools excepted, the LA must name your preferred school unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
Being full is not defined in law, and on its own being ‘full’ is not enough of a reason to refuse to name your preference. The LA has to prove the school is so full admitting DS is incompatible. The bar for this is higher than many LAs and schools admit. It is more than an “adverse effect”, “impact on” or “prejudicial to”.