Signed off work or not - starting diagnostic journey / ehcp

[TikehauLilly]

Hi would appreciate some input please from your collective experiences.

My 7 year old y3 child has just started the diagnosis pathway ( full disclosure - private which very grateful for)

Had a peadriactrican appointment, OT this thursday at home
organising OT and SLT (school)

Waiting for a school appointment to discuss the immediate enactment of peadriactrican (she is a SEN specialist) reccomendations and have pages and pages to read to help at home

Here is my question

The peadriactrican when hearing I work full time and I have 3 children suggested that I get signed off work with stress to journey though all this

This is causing me more stress as I feel bad "planning" time off and repercussions for my team. I don't even know the best time to take time off.

Right now I will admit I am constantly on edge and in a panic but work is a distraction.

I made a conscious decision to not "seek out" great opportunities at work and just deliver (and I do it well) all my BAU work and take the small wins and opportunities.

More stress as this was indicated that wasnt good enough at my year end.

So now thinking i drop seeds of "im dealing with loads" and then get signed off but this is all stressing me out.

What do you think? Is this next step going to be a full time job in itself?

Can't talk to colleagues or friends at work.

Thanks

Everyone's journey is different and my advice would be not to plan how you will feel or cope and to take things one step at a time.

Whatever happens in your diagnostic pathway won't change your wonderful young person but will only (hopefully) help you understand their unique strengths and challenges and help others to support them better.

You may feel a whole range of emotions - including fear, loss or worry for how hard your child's life may be. You may find you suffer symptoms of anxiety or reactive depression (struggle to sleep/wake early/burst into tears suddenly). Alternatively you may find that being on a pathway and taking positive action to help identify your child's difficulties gives you a sense of hope.

There's no right or wrong way to feel and ultimately you will have to decide how to manage your other responsibilities and your own health.

Don't be afraid to seek support for yourself via friends family or GP/sign off if needed but don't feel ashamed if you enjoy work as a mental break from SEN-parenting.

Good luck xx

Thank you for your considerate message @CompluterSaysNo I think it's what I needed to hear especially the part about getting all the diagnostics done might be a relief in that there is hope and a plan of some sort.

I know it's not a magic wand by any means but to me it feels so unknown at the moment and causing so much anxiety and stress so maybe come March having a "plan" might be easier.

Many thanks again. Xx

Seeking support can be time consuming. However, going off sick wouldn’t necessarily solve the situation. For example, pursuing an EHCP takes at least 20 weeks. Longer if you have to appeal, which many do. Obviously, if you need time off, you should do consider it, but I wouldn’t make the decision based on thinking you will go off sick until an EHCP is in place because that may not be feasible or realistic.

You can request an EHCNA yourself now. You don’t have to wait for a meeting with the school. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Thanks @BrightYellowTrain yeah I know it cantan take forever and about the appeals and tribunals so I guess I was unsure what part of the next year plus she was referring to! I never thought would be the whole time until one in place! I actually have a longer term plan to change jobs but right now that's not an option.

I'll look into an EHCNA - although I am so confused at all these acronyms and how that differs from the plan the peadriactrican gave the school.

Now laughing as when will I sort that out! Working tomorrow, swimming galas, swim squads... maybe wfh then do little work. Stress fell bad etc

Thanks again 😀

EHCP is Education, Health and Care Plan. A legal document that sets out a child’s needs and the support they require. This is not the same thing the paediatrician has written. Only the Local Authority (LA) can issue an EHCP.

EHCNA is an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment. It is the needs assessment you first request as part of the EHCP process.

IPSEA is a charity - Independent Provider of Special Education Advice.