Lack of sen support/ clarity dd5 asd

[sweetlikechoco]

Why is dd SENCO downplaying my dd difficulties and failing to provide structured SEN support. school has formally stated that she is working below expectations, she should have a clear support plan in place.
During parents evening was given vague advice, to work on things at home.
Teacher is trying to help her in class, blames lack of focus. I asked which interventions does she have? Teacher said i dont want her to miss out on class work and offered to help before school in the morning, i agreed but still has not back to me.
dd has had advisory team visit during reception but no advice this year, school was advised movement break, I was told by senco , no staff cant follow those strategies anyway.
This year advisory team have still not visited her.
Is the senco not helping because of budgets? Dd isn't being disruptive as she was in reception.

I feel like school assume she doesn’t “qualify” for additional support because they are not recognising how her autism impacts her ability to access learning.

few weeks ago I received a place at another school, new school put me off accepting because she didnt have the same support she currently receives.
she told her she has a social club with lsa once a week. She was surprised we were looking to change schools.

i am shocked she told another school she has “no academic concerns” is worrying, especially when i have evidence to the contrary..

also i want to say I know senco are busy, however when I asked for her to come along to parents evening which was her suggestion she told me this during our first meting when I gave her diagnosis report. When i emailed she responded parents evening are academic only, so i left it at that.
then after a few weeks I emailed requesting a meeting, she has not responded.

It could be for a number of reasons, from not understanding DD’s needs and the support she requires, to a lack of time/funding and a multitude of other reasons in between.

You can request an EHCNA yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

In some LAs, the advisory team doesn’t provide ongoing support to pupils. Are you sure your LA’s service does?

Without an EHCP, some schools are unable to facilitate movement breaks outside the classroom.

If the SENCO is ignoring you, have you spoken to the headteacher?

There’s no legal obligation for schools to do anything when a DC is on SEN Support. That also means there’s little/no funding. The SENCO is probably overloaded with queries and official paperwork from EHCPs and CAMHS referrals.

when we were at your stage I kept thinking school would sort things out for us. I now know that’s not how it works. The cavalry isn’t coming for you. You’re the only person who knows your child and you’ll have to advocate for everything. It will be hard and you’ll probably not get everything she needs, but you’ll get a lot more than if you sit back.

my kids’ schools told me that they didn’t have signs of SEN. They’ve ended up with diagnoses because people outside of school helped spot things and support referrals. I applied for the EHCP.

so sorry to break the bad news. Expect nothing and when you get something you’ll be pleased! And expect to have to be a “velvet bulldozer” by learning your rights from an IPSEA Course and then being very persuasive to get help out in place. Welcome to the world of Sen parenting - it’s an eye opener! Good luck

There’s no legal obligation for schools to do anything when a DC is on SEN Support.

Most types of schools must make their best endeavours to meets a pupil’s SEN under section 66 of the Children and Families Act 2014. And all schools must reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act.

LA service does this, I have spoken to the advisor, was told she would be visiting.