Need some help re SN pupil at preschool please.

[littlerach]

Hi guys!

I am on a pre school commitee. We have a 3 yr old boy who has been seen by Ed Psych as he has challenging behaviour. This was agreed by mum and EP, who both feel that he needs one to one help at pre school.
Unfortunately there is a history of violence in the boys homelife, and the EP and council have stated that they will not fund an extra member pf staff unless the father (he is violent) leaves the family home. The mother refuses.
So the commitee now have to vote on whether to sub another member of staff - we are already only just scraping by - or to exclude the boy.

Is there anything else that we can do?
I only know this much of the story, obviously there is a lot of confidentiality involved.
Any advice received.
Thanks.

BTW, put it here as I wasn't sure where to put it.

I would have thought that SS would have been involved by now, the mother must know she may get her ds taken away if she refuses to leave the father
This happened to a woman I know, who was in a very abusive relationship, her partner was very violent and verbally abusive to her 3 yr old son, when the nursery SENCO investigated, very similar situation to what you describe, they then informed social serices and the child was removed immediately, her partner was arrested, but the cse was never at court as the boy was elective mute and his mother refused to cooperate in fear at reprisals.
She is sorted ehr life out, but her son is still fostered, although she is working very hard to get him back, she should be able to apply shortly.
HTH

That is so sad.
So would the EP tell SS?

I have worked at the pre school, and the little boy is violent to the other children, I guess from what he is used to. The mother is quite open about what happens at home, she keeps forgiving dad.

Thing is, if he is excluded, what happens to him then?

The pre school leader has tried so hard, we really hoped we'd be guiven some funding for him.

Anyone else??

I'm surprised that SS haven't been involved already tbh. It sounds as though the poor child is effectively being 'punished' for the actions (or inaction) of his parents.

I'm not even sure that the powers-that-be are allowed to say "We'll only help the child if the father leaves."

Maybe IPSEA would be able to advise you about this. I think their website is at www.ipsea.org.uk but if not it should be easy to find via Google. What does the area SENCO say about the situation? (without giving anything confidential away, of course).

Thanks, Coppertop.
Don't know about the area SENCO, I was just told the basics this morning as we have to vote next week.

It has shocked me that they won't help, but I can kind of understand that they only have so much money, etc, etc.

It just seems terrible that he may have to be excluded. I can't see that other places will take him either, so viscous circle.

Just looked at website.
Will pass number on to leader.

Thanks very much.