Help for ASD DD12 in secondary school

[FairRedRobin]

My daughter is 12 years old and diagnosed ASD, ADD, dyspraxia and mild learning difficulties associated with these. She was ok in mainstream primary with a lot of support. Started mainstream secondary in Yr7 and had massive meltdowns, resulting in being suspended and was out of school for rest of the year. In Yr8 then we moved to a small private school who said they specialised in SEN but turns out that’s not the case and she is struggling again. Does anyone have any recommendations for schools in NW London/Middlesex/Watford area where she may be able to get the support that she needs to access learning? I have found a lot of schools are very male oriented and she doesn’t seem to get on well with boys.

Does DD have an EHCP? And are you looking for a mainstream school or special school?

She does have an EHCP, it hasn’t been updated since primary as she’s hardly been at school. She masks so much in mainstream and has high anxiety resulting in meltdowns but she’s set against special schools as she doesn’t see herself that way

The EHCP should still be updated even if DD hasn’t been able attend school full time. It is actually more important it is updated since her needs are being met. When was the last annual review? What support, including therapies, is currently in the EHCP

If you don’t want a specialist school, have you looked at The King’s school and St Christopher. Both in Herts. They might be just about doable depending on where you live.

Have you considered EOTAS?

I can’t home educate as we both work full time and she won’t engage with online school. I have asked for an emergency review of her EHCP so that I can move her on but it won’t happen until January.

EOTAS isn’t elective home education. You cannot be compelled to organise, deliver or facilitate provision in EHCPs. And EOTAS doesn’t have to involve online provision either.

When was your last annual review? Is DD attending school full time at the minute? If not, is the LA making alternative provison?

She goes in a couple of days but won’t go into class so she works with a TA (shared) or on a laptop by herself. She has not made any friends and has been bullied in her class so she then usually doesn’t want to go in for a couple of days and then we try again. She hasn’t accessed full time school or had any therapy for nearly 2 years now. She’s started having meltdowns at school (shouting and swearing) and they just kind of ignore them or let her come home. Sorry if I’m not answering your questions properly here, just trying to explain the situation more. Emergency EHCP review will be in Jan, the LA wont apply to any other schools or looks at options until that has taken place. The hardest part for me is they won’t suggest schools so I just have to find names myself and then they just blindly apply.

The LA should be making alternative provision to ensure DD still receives a suitable full time education. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request this provision under s19 of The Education Act 1996.

I know you have an emergency review in January, but when was the last annual review?

Personally, I would be working on DD’s view of not wanting a SS, which unfortunately often have more boys, because it doesn’t sound like MS is suitable. Then you could look at Holmewood, The rise, Orange Tree, Odessey, Egerton Rothesay, Red Balloon and The Windmill.

It is more suitable to those with moderate learning difficulties than mild learning difficulties, but you could also look at Alfriston. It is a girls’ school that is often well regarded by parents. Depending on where you live, that may be doable.

When she was out of school for most of year 7, the LA only offered her a PRU or 3 hours a week of online tutoring. I will look at all of those, I think most of them said no to her last time. Either no peer group or that her behavioural needs were too much.

Her last review was 18 months ago but the EHCP wasn’t updated, they (mainstream secondary) just wanted a meeting to say they couldn’t meet her needs so they called a review but the EHCP wasn’t looked at or updated.

The LA must ensure DD receives a suitable full time education. 3 hours online per week is not that. If a PRU isn’t suitable then that doesn’t fulfil the LA’s duty. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request the provision.

The EHCP must be reviewed, although not necessarily updated, at least once a year. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can send to the LA. Send it to the Director of Children’s Services and explain the situation. Tell them it isn’t acceptable to wait until January given DD is not receiving a full time education and they are in breach of their duty to review the EHCP annually.

Not all the schools I posted are wholly independent. Only wholly independent schools can refuse to be named. Non-wholly independent schools can be named even if they object. Depending on DD’s level of need, you could also look at Hillingdon Manor. DD’s behaviour is likely to improve with the right support in the right setting. With that in mind, you could also look at Gesher. It is a Jewish school but not also admits non-Jewish pupils, but it won’t admit if the primary need is SEMH.

Thank you, I’ll send that letter to the LA. Do you know what the level of need is at Hillingdon? It’s hard to tell from websites etc.
she is high functioning and so I also wasn’t sure about Gesher.

Gesher would depend on DD’s needs. High functioning covers a wide range since all it means is there’s no co-morbid learning disability and some fall into that category. If you don’t think DD’s learning difficulties are severe enough for Gesher, Hillingdon Manor is worth a look. For example, Hillingdon offers a few GCSEs, some go on residential trips/do Duke of Edinburgh, but some have pronounced communication difficulties. They don’t accept DC whose primary need is SEMH.