After lang and comm assessment what happens next?

[SENMUMwhatnext]

Hi all,

I have a lovely 8 year old girl, in last year of first school. Academically she is doing well, at GD for everything but writing, reading age of 13.5 yrs. This is all very much the norm in our area and the school.

For the last 2 years I have been pushing for support with her anxiety. Before this we thought it was lockdown related but I’m become more and more concerned that she is ND. Yr 3 teacher said at times saw an anxious and withdrawn child but yr 2 and 4 teachers didn’t see this. GP referal to cahms was rejected. I requested a meeting with yr2 teacher and senco and a referal was put into early help for sleep, mental health support, school nurse and to language and commication team, she was already under 3 medical teams and had a self referal in for emotional education programme. The senco refused to add her to the sen register or involve EP and I felt was going through the motions.

Lang and comm report was giving to school earlier this week and shared with me yesterday. It read like a child with ASD and ADHD who is trying hard to mask in school. Lots of recommendations in the report. I have a meeting tomorrow with class teachers and lang and comm teacher. The school has a reputation in the LEA as not being strong on SEN. What do I ask for now? How do I make sure she gets the right support?

The school has a duty under the Children and Families Act 2014 to make their best endeavours to meet DD’s SEN. They must also make reasonable adjustments as per the Equality Act 2014.

That doesn’t necessarily equate to having to implement all the recommendations in the report.

What specific support will/can be provided will depend on DD’s needs and the school.

An EP assessment via the school/education department of the LA is unlikely in your situation outwith the EHCNA process. If you feel like an EHCP may be necessary, you can request an EHCNA yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Request a referral for an ASD &/or ADHD assessment. Either via the school or the GP.

Thank you.

How do I know if an ECHP is needed? DD’s achievement in school is good and she an easy student from the teachers perspective but struggles with friendships, is anxious and her mental health isn’t great from masking.

GP reject to CAHMS for ASD/ADHD assessment was rejected. Maybe it’s worthi giving it another go.

I think it is worth pushing for a referral. If the GP/school refuse to refer or it is rejected, complain.

Ask yourself can DD’s needs be met at a SEN Support level and will they be met? What support does DD need and can the school provide that within their SEN Support? And, importantly, will the support that is required be provided? For example, 1:1 and SALT and sensory OT is unlikely to be able to be provided at a SEN support level. It is worth reading IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites and the SENCOP.

The first threshold to focus on is that for an EHCNA. This is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need special educational provision to be made via an EHCP.

It isn’t just about academic ability. You can get EHCPs for those who are academically able. Things like communication and interaction difficulties, emotional development, mental health difficulties can all be considered.