Extra curricular activities

[Saucepanman]

Just wondered if anyone knows the answer to this.

If a child has a full time LSA in class, and has been told that they (the child) are unable to participate in after school activities without the parent staying, is this correct? It seems on the face of it a bit off, not very inclusive, but I am prepared to be put straight. I could do with knowing where said child and their parents stand. TIA

Hopeful bump

My son used to have a full time carer in school (acute medical needs) and the school were really good about giving him access to after school activities. When the list came out at the start of the term, DS2 would choose which activities he would like to do, I'd speak the Head / SENCO and they would arrange cover (usually his carer staying for 45min overtime but occasionally covered by another paid trained carer.)

I don't think that they are obliged to cover after school activities and the funding for the LSA would only cover school hours I suppose, but like you said, it's a bit off and not very inclusive if they have to be the only child who has their mum there....

Oh and thinking about it, the school can access extra 'pots' of money for funding activities on a regular basis for children with additional needs, as when I needed my son to use the holiday club while I was at work one summer, they got funding for a carer at the school holiday club...

Thanks gingertoo. I have to be careful about being too identifiable with the info I put on here, but my friend cannot stay after school as she has a 1yo dd. She is very sad about it all and not sure what she should do. I am SEN governor and would gladly broach with SENCO et al on her behalf if she decided she wanted me to.

She's very lucky that you are willing to back her up I hope you can help her sort this out.

Your friend and her son are being treated differently from other children and parents because of the child's additional needs which is not acceptable.

Do you / your friend have access to the local authority 'Inclusion Support Service'? I'm not sure whether every local authority has this facility, but they were brilliant in helping my son access all areas of the curriculum and extra curricular activities and in pointing the school in the right direction for claiming funding...

Good luck