14 year old complete school avoidance

[Jadebanditchillipepper]

My 14 year old (year 9) AuDHD daughter has now stopped attending school entirely. Any attempt to get her in causes extreme distress. We are in the middle of the IDP process in Wales, so I do not want to deregister her at this stage as I don't want to lose the progress we have already made.

We will be requesting Section 19 provision, although I suspect the LA will want to explore other mainstream options before considering EOTAS or similar.

I do not think she will realistically manage another mainstream placement, and we are conscious that GCSE courses are due to start in September.

For context, she does not appear globally burnt out. She is still attending extracurricular activities, maintaining friendships, and will happily engage with the limited schoolwork that is currently being posted online (the school are supposed to post everything online as per the draft IDP, but that is not happening and the ALNCO is ignoring my emails).

We have an OT assessment this week and I am also exploring some local home education/small group provision to help keep her engaged with learning while we work out next steps.

I would be very grateful for any advice or experiences from others who have been through similar, particularly around:

Section 19/EOTAS pathways in Wales
EBSA in autistic girls
whether alternative mainstream placements helped or worsened things
and how best to maintain engagement with learning during this stage.

Thank you.

Hi OP, sounds really difficult! I don't have experience with Wales (I suggest you ask MN to edit your post and put Wales in the subject line - possibly also repost on the EBSA thread to get more traffic?)

However, as your daughter likes to learn but can't handle the school environment, have you looked at online GCSE providers such as Minerva and King's Interhigh? The sticking point However may be that the Welsh GCSEs have their own boards. What do you think she would want to do at post 16?

GCSE Online Learning Courses - Swansea College l Swansea l Wales https://share.google/T27hrcNWWXB2dgTh6 I have found one provider, which is encouraging.

Regarding the school not setting work, at least in England, this is not a requirement on schools (the duty is with the local authority) but contacting the Head may be more use than the ALNCO. My Head always strongly encourages subject teachers to set work in such situations. It probably won't be marked though.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5003192-the-ebsa-support-thread-emotionally-based-school-avoidanceabsence?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share search this thread for posters in Wales and you may get some good leads.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5297998-ebsa-support-thread-2?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share this is an active thread.

There is a Mumsnet Welsh section called Draignet under Other Stuff by the way.

I don’t have personal experience as I’m not in Wales, but I have helped others.

You are right not to deregister, IMO.

Push the LA to provide alternative provision. The draft IDP may say the school is to post work online, but a) the responsibility for ensuring pupils unable to attend receive an education lies with the LA, and b) work posted online isn’t sufficient to relieve the LA of their duty, anyway.

If it is the environment of mainstream that is overwhelming for DD, another state mainstream is unlikely to be much different.

For EOTAS/EOTIS (the ALN Code uses EOTAS. However, you will hear the term EOTIS also being used.) via the IDP, you will need to show it is inappropriate for provision to be made in a school.

What does DD enjoy doing? I would use the answer to this to help guide provision to increase engagement.

Is DD on medication?

As well as OT, has DD had EP and SALT (and potentially CP) assessments?

If you haven’t already, have a look at SNAPCymru and the Welsh Nodi guide.

Thank you for the advice.

The IDP does say that work should be posted online when she is unable to attend school - I completely agree that this is insufficient long term, but it would at least be something while we sort out an alternative.

Yes, she is medicated (Elvanse) and has had an EP assessment, but not SALT - the school are supposed to have referred her for that.

She loves singing and drama and is also very interested in history - particularly the Tudors and will watch History documentaries on YouTube. She's also good at and enjoys maths. She's academically able and wants to learn - she just cannot access school.

Unfortunately, SNAP Cymru no longer cover our area. Any other information on how to convince the LA that pushing towards another mainstream school would be helpful.

Thanks again

For history, have a look at Humanatees. They have some free resources and then some paid for courses. For maths, DD could look at the UKMT maths challenges and resources. They have things like past papers and books on their website. Does DD have singing lessons? Is she interested in music more widely, e.g. music GCSE?

The draft IDP may say that, but it isn’t the school with ultimate responsibility for providing education for those unable to attend. Plus, you said draft IDP.

When did DD last have a medication review?

Speak to the LA about a SALT assessment. I would look at a CP assessment if DD hasn’t already seen a CP. The best way to ensure you get EOTAS via the IDP is by ensuring the evidence is solid.

Have a look at Support SEND Kids. Don’t be put off by the SEND term. It also covers the Welsh ALN system.