Primary behaviour

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I have always suspected SEN with my now year 1 child but always got my concerns shut down by school. Challenging behaviour has now occurred in school in the last 3 months. I was recently called in for an urgent meeting, my child was excluded for a day and put on a reduced timetable for upto 6 weeks. Risk assessment and behaviour management plan done. I have been told these steps need to be done and tried before a referral for an assessment can be requested? Is this correct? I assumed it would be better to get the ball rolling now due to the long wait times? Tried Gp but told it’s down to school to sort.

Request an EHCNA yourself using the model letter on IPSEA’s website. You can do that now. You don’t need to wait.

Is DS in a state school? If so, a part-time timetable should not be used to manage behaviour (as stated in the statutory exclusion guidance and the statutory attendance guidance). Inform the school DS will be attending full-time unless they formally suspend.

Don’t worry if they do suspend. A formal suspension instead of an unlawful, informal exclusion will a) provide you with evidence of unmet needs to support you pursuing an EHCNA, b) force the school to follow due process, c) limit the number of days the school can exclude for, d) allow you the right to make representations, and e) ensure DS receives alternative education for longer suspensions.

Referrals for, e.g. an ASD or ADHD assessment will depend on when you live, but none of them will have steps that include the school acting unlawfully.