Rethink schooling?

[coffeeNpie]

My DS is 8, autistic, non-verbal (can say single words and sometimes two word phrases). He attends a special school with ABA based teaching and a lot of focus on independent living and life skills. He has an EHCP, with SALT and OT (very limited hours, seems ineffective).

School believes he has made a lot of progress, but I don't think so. He has made some progress with independent living, but not much academically. I feel he is not being challenged enough at the school and lack opportunities to make use of his strengths (good in computers, typing). He is picking up more words and trying to make sentences, but need more SALT support to progress further. I got private speech assessment after LA refused to assess, and now heading to tribunal to sort his SALT provision. School is saying they cannot provide further SALT support even if tribunal approves.

I am now questioning myself if this school is suitable for DS anymore? From parents feedback and my own research I understand that ABA based teaching has a lot of evidence regarding its effectiveness and is much better approach than the usual special schools out there. However, I am open to rethink and explore other teaching methods and school settings most suitable to my child. I feel a hybrid approach would work best for DS i.e. part-time school (SRP unit in mainstream) and rest extra curricular activities + ABA tutoring. Is this possible through EHCP? How to achieve this? Should I seek opinion from an EP and get DS assessed? Or should I first visit schools and see what's out there? His current school is for pupils 4-16 years, and moving him to a small school (which I really want) would just be primary. So need to think of secondary schooling in 2 years which makes me very confused if its the right thing to do? It would require a lot of work, hassle, waiting time, etc. But I still want to help DS.

I would really appreciate any guidance or suggestions.

Provision detailed, specified and quantified in F has to be provided, and can be enforced. The LA is ultimately responsible for it.

Is the school wholly independent?

Part time school and part time provision otherwise than in school for the provision it is inappropriate to make in a school is possible. You would need evidence it is inappropriate for the provision to be made in a school, though. That can come from a range of sources, including EP, SALT and OT. Many have to appeal to secure a comprehensive package.

Visit schools and seek independent assessments.

Just so you are aware, just because the current school is a 4-16 school doesn’t mean the LA will definitely name the current school for secondary even if that is what you wanted. It is still a phase transfer year and the phase transfer review process should still be followed.

@flawlessflipper thanks for your response.

Its a free state school.

DS have had EHCP for the past 3 years and although I have been through annual reviews, fighting LA, private assessments, calls with IPSEA, reading up information, speaking with other parents but still seems like I know nothing. Navigating the system and how to best approach the process feels overwhelming.

What happens if tribunal approve our proposed SALT provision but the school says they can't provide the required support?

Should I seek an EP assessment first and take it from there if I want to move schools?

If the outcome of your tribunal is SALT detailed, specified and quantified in F, it must be provided. It is not optional. The LA is responsible for ensuring the provision is provided. The school could request an early review and raise concerns, but, as a free school, they can be named against their will, and SALT provision alone is unlikely to meet the high threshold for incompatibility.

An EP assessment would be helpful to your B&F appeal regardless of whether you look at other placements or not, so I would look at an EP assessment now. Unless you are extremely lucky, anyone good will have a waiting list.

If you want to consider other placements, you don’t need to wait until you have the EP report.

If you want to appeal section I, you should look at amending your appeal to include that. You can do that via a SEND7 - don’t forget to seek the LA’s views too.