Problems with school, LA and transition to secondary education

[jinglymum]

Hi, I hope you don't mind me reposting this, I have posted on Special Educational needs and was advised to post for advice here too.

I am hoping to pick your brains really, this is my first post on here so not really sure where to start, so please bare with me, my post may be jumbled and I will try not to drip feed.

Well my younger siblings are adopted ( not really relevant but thought I would add it) my brother is coming up to 11, he is in his last year of main stream primary school. We have been struggling with the school since he was in year 3, we as his family felt something was "not quite right", school insisted he was just a little behind but plenty of time to catch up. Not just educationally but socially he was always younger, preferring to play with younger children and toys. We fought and fought and fought, eventually he was given a statement for 20 hours a week, on vulnerability and generally behind behind other children of his age.

When he was in year 5 we applied to move him to a specialist school where we felt his needs could be met, this was denied, in his statement it states that his move to secondary would have to be planned, as he was very vulnerable, cannot remember exact wording but can get the statement tomorrow if that would help.

In December a meeting took place where they requested we look into main stream and see what they could offer in terms of SEN, my father met with the head of the local secondary who largely agreed it was not the school for him, educationally and socially. He currently has no friends in his class as he really has nothing in common with him due to him being a lot more immature. WE contact local specialist school, who said he would fit in lovely, and would be mid to top of the learning range. We were happy with that and felt confident he would thrive there.

Well another meeting takes place, and it is decided he should go to main stream, we are told we can appeal this if we please. What happens if the appeal it turned down? Does anyone have any advice, we feel his need would not be met in the local secondary he has the ability of a 6 year old, emotionally and academically. We just don't understand how they would possible see this school suitable for him.

If you got this far thank you and any advice would be appreciated, it just feel like one big struggle at the moment.

First things first. Some questions.

When was the last time he saw an Educational Psychologist?

Can you put a thank you letter in the post to both mainstream and special schools for seeing you with a brief summary of their conclusion (collecting/creating evidence). Be careful about implying that the MS are not being inclusive though.

Is he under any other professionals or services? i.e. Speech and Language, CAMHS, Paediatrician etc?

The main stream secondary school said they would accept him and would do everything they could possibly do for him, but largely agreed with my dad, that it was not the best place for him. Good idea bout contacting special school, we have been in touch in the past with them, and they said he would fit in well there, so we should get that in writing.

He is under CAMHS, as he has very low self esteem, which is partly we think to do with his past, but also currently as school, he is constantly being dismissed, other children have reported that the teacher often picks him out to answer questions and he doesn't know the answer she will keep asking him until he starts crying. He doesn't like his TA either, another child who also had her previously did not like her either. He is also under a paediatrician for bed wetting, and she has history with his family and believe he could be on the spectrum but all tests are coming back negative.

He last saw the Ed Pshychologist in November I believe.

Have your family made contact with Parent Partnership as (luckily enough) in our area they are very good and pro-active in getting the LA on side for children that need support. They often know all the professionals involved in the decision making and can have a stronger voice than the parents when getting education issues sorted.

What tests?

The poor little boy.

Okay, you're not going to like what I say because it is unfair and stressful and expensive, but I'm afraid as you don't seem to be getting anywhere with the professionals you have (and are unlikely to because if he has a 'history' that will always be blamed) so you'll need to find a way of paying privately for a)and Educational Psychologist and b)a Paediatrician with EXPERTISE in ASD and related conditions.

Do you have a date for the Annual Review of his statement?

Or has that already happened?

Did the Educational Psychologist make any recommendations in their reports about the learning environment he will require?

Ok thank you that's a good idea about going private they can afford to do that, do you have any suggestions on where we can find a good one?

I am unsure what test's he has had, one of them was a new one, it was a blood test, when I see my mum later I will ask what the name of it was, but it was meant to be quite sensitive and good at getting results when others had come back negative but his came back negative too. His older brother also has special needs although I am unsure what they are as we don't have contact.

I think his statement review was recently, he only just was given a statement at the end of year 5. I will get the report later today and let you know what it says, I don't have it with me.

Thank you for replying. x

You can't test for autism with a blood test.

If you have access to London Daphne Keen is a good one because she is actually NHS with a private clinic so her diagnosis can't be disputed or claimed to be bought.

When you are looking for an Educational Psychologist try to get one that does tribunals. You might not have to go to tribunal, but getting a report that is tribunally written sends a powerful message to the LA.

Thank you, we are now unsure what the blood test was for as my mum thought it was autism too. He has an appointment coming up with his Paediatrician, so we will be confirming what it was for but also going to ask her to put in writing her opinion.

We have arranged to meet up with parent partnership on Friday so hopefully they will give us some advice.

I now have his statement in front of me it says in 3.B

"C will be moving into secondary provision next academic year. C's transition to secondary education will need careful coordination as it is likely that he will benefit from a setting that is able to provide high levels of support and adult meditation within small groups to meet C's learning needs, and where his emotional needs are understood and can continue to be addressed sensitively and supportively within an nurturing ethos. As a result of C's difficulty in grasping new concepts, his ability to express himself effectively and his emotional vulnerability, consideration of a special environment may be appropriate"

This says to me he needs to be in a smaller setting, not a school of 1500 where he will have a ta with him, in each lesson but be left alone at break and lunch times and have to get from classroom to classroom alone. Which he would be unable to do so.

Unfortunately we don't live near London we are in the North East.

Blood test may have been for Fragile X?

They often test for it if they think a child has ASD, as they can present fairly similarly.

You need to appeal - you can contact IPSEA for advice and look at website. The LA has to issue the statement by 15 Feb so any appeal can be heard in time for starting new school in Sept (secondary transfers are prioritised in appeal process but you want to move fast or it won't be heard until the last minute). The recommendations sound very clear that should be special school not mainstream. If you contact IPSEA and send them the statement+any reports they should be able to advise you in framing the appeal. You can get a solicitor to do it, or get legal aid if eligible (sounds if they can pay for private will not be eligible), do it yourself, or use an advocate (not legally qualified but expertise in appeals). Documents can be downloaded off the SEND Tribunal website
It may be that the LA will back down against a clear recommendation. What evidence do they have that mainstream will meet need? What did current school advise?
If you lose the appeal, your brother goes to the school named in the statement and you keep collecting evidence it is unsuitable and either force a reassessment or wait til the next annual review and appeal when they do not amend the statement.
Some LA's (mine included) will always name mainstream unless the family kick up a fuss. It may be once you appeal they will back down before the appeal is heard.
If you can get the specialist college to actually visit him in school and help you that would be great - some will, some will leave parents to argue the case themselves (especially if they are oversubscribed and not all children can get a place). Transport is also often a big issue as if SS is only suitable school the LA have to pay to transport him. In current financial climate LAs will delay placement as long as they can even if your brother suffers in the meantime. I suspect they know he will not last in mainstream past year 7 or 8.
You mention a 'past' - could it be foetal alcohol syndrome - was it likely his birth mother drank alot in pregnancy?
If you pay for anything pay for a private EP.
But I would probably lodge the appeal, book the EP for a few months down the line and wait and see if the LA defend it or cave in.
From what you say they don't sound like they have a good case to put a child with ability of 6 year old in mainstream. They may just be calling your bluff.