Please help, so lost with DD, school & non attendance.

[Theteenagerera]

I had much support on here in the past in reference to my DD who currently is not attending school and on a wait list for ND referral, likely Autism.

In short as a bit background was doing quite well in school until just before her 12th birthday when she uncharacteristically started getting into trouble for defiance/disruption and was spending a lot of time in isolation. School refused to engage with any support even though there was clear pattern of SEN related issues triggering her behaviour, being forced to read out in class when she is likely dyslexic, arriving in class with tie loose due to sensory issues, sudden seat/teacher moves causing behavioural issues.

We had a very frustrating 9 months off being fobbed off, DD hardly spending any time in class due to always being in isolation and eventually refusing to go and we were still waiting on an ILP a year later when we decided to take her out and put her into a much smaller school with good SEN department and lots of support, ILP was written up for her starting.

The school all and all have been great, lots of communication, different approaches to help her adjust, DD is on a flexi timetable so can sign herself in and out, there is a lovely bunch of girls in her year who have been so welcoming and inclusive but DD is still hardly ever attending school and in fact our mornings have got worse with her struggling to get out of bed before 11am.

Before Christmas we were having weekly meetings with deputy head to monitor how things were going, she even came to our house so she could talk to DD in her home about how we could make it easier for her however since the start of the new term we have had nothing and I’m feeling a bit left in the dark.

Full home schooling isn’t an option for us as both DH and I work and we also couldn’t afford to pay for online schooling or even the GCSE costs doing it ourselves so it is in DD’s best interests that she stays attached to a school, even if she can just manage to do her maths and English but it’s just doesn’t seem to be manageable for her at the moment.

Our problem with the school is while DD can access the homework set through the various school programmes, they have said it’s not possible to set DD any course work due to lack of teacher time/resources etc so most days rather than not she is getting her laptop set up and there is nothing there for her to do..

We have had a meeting a lovely lady who supports families such as ourselves and gives advice on education and referral routes, what we should be doing with DD to make sure she gets what she gets the support she is entitled too and she has made it clear that while the school may be great that are not fulfilling what the law states which is every child is entitled to an education and they should definitely be doing more to make that happen for DD.

Due to illness, birthdays, family visiting, getting back into the Monday to Friday work/home/school routine I have been a little bit lapse but I was checking my diary this morning and realised that DD has nearly missed a full year of education and it cannot go on any longer, something needs to be done.

I am about to write an email to the school to start a discussion on how to proceed in DD best interest however I think I’m so blinded by how lovely they have been compared to her old school I don’t want to be a dick however as the educational support worker pointed out in our meeting, ticking along like this is causing the school minimum stress and DD is still without an education..

Can anyone lend any support?

The ultimate duty to provide education to compulsory school aged pupils unable to attend school lies with the LA rather than the school. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request provision under section 19 of the Education Act 1996. Post back here for the next steps if the LA refuses, delays, or ignores you.

Alongside this, you should request an EHCNA. IPSEA also has a model letter you can use for this.

Thank you @BrightYellowTrain that’s really helpful..

Is it this letter?

Template letter 1: making a request for an EHC needs assessment

That’s the right letter to request an EHCNA.

You also need no.22b to request alternative provision for DD.

@BrightYellowTrain I wondered if I could ask your advice on an email back from DD’s school.

I had emailed to let them know we were in the process of applying for both an EHC assessment request and alternative education provision and to ask if they would support with some evidence and (I felt) the tone was very dismissive and I’d be wasting me time, despite DD now having missed a whole year of education.

I wondered if yourself or any one else could advise how to move forward or maybe (gently!) let me know if I have picked up what she is saying incorrectly.

The next bit is quoted from assistant head and SEN lead.

“In terms of additional support, we can certainly send an email to the Local Authority (LA) regarding …. EBSA and the possibility of alternative provision. However, based on previous experience, it is unlikely that we will receive a response or a resolution through this route. Unfortunately, the only instances in which we have been able to secure alternative provision for students have been when the school has funded it directly. As I’m sure you understand, the demand for alternative provision has increased significantly over the past three years, and we are not able to fund all requests. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must go through a doctor for a decision.

I am able to support with an EHCNA, but I want to be transparent that I am currently working on three other requests. This means it may take some time before I can compile everything we have for …. so far. In the meantime, I would suggest that you submit the application as a parent, as this will prompt them to request school-based evidence, which I can then provide.”

You have left a name (HT’s name?) in the post. You might want to ask MN to edit your post.

The part of the response about EHCNAs is typical. The school is telling you they can’t apply right now so you should. This is actually a good response. I know right now it doesn’t seem like it, but it is. Some schools would reply saying they would make the request and then not do it for weeks/months/terms. The AH is being honest. Request an EHCNA yourself. That will trigger the statutory timescales. It doesn’t mean you won’t be successful.

The paragraph about alternative provision misunderstands the law. Perhaps because they believe the LA’s unlawful policy and practices which, whilst poor, isn’t uncommon. The ultimate duty to provide education for those unable to attend school lies with the LA, not the school. Don’t be put off. You can secure this, but you may have to enforce DD’s rights.

Thank you @BrightYellowTrain I have asked MN to review and delete.

That’s what I was hopeful you would say about the alternative education, this is all uncharted territory so thank you.

Just wondering whether to reply to the school telling them they are mistaken and to enforce DD’s or just moved forward with the application regardless and save the possible fight for later down the line.

I think that depends on your relationship with the school and what you want to achieve. It is unlikely to make a difference to DD’s case but if for the benefit of their other pupils you want to highlight section 19 of the Education Act 1996 places the duty on the LA and parents can enforce their DC’s right to a suitable full-time education, then I think it is possible to do so politely.

If the name removed wasn’t the HT’s name, and the school meant a medical doctor, they are wrong. Alternative provision doesn’t have to go through a doctor. (Not that AP provided by the LA has to go through the LA either, but in the cases where the school itself is providing it, that is obviously different.)

EHCP support thread no. 4 - www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5197351-ehcp-support-thread-no-4 join us here if you like.