LEA want DS to go to PRU - bad dea?

[starfish71]

Had DS's tutor here this morn as usual and she tells me that she has been told there is a place for DS at the PRU and he could start in 2 weeks.

Think it is being pushed through as DS is getting NIL and know we are going to appeal. Am waiting for full details and to talk to them about transport etc and plan to visit it next week with DS.

DS has aspergers, undx but that is consensus with those dealing with him. He has very anxiety levels, barely leaving the house.

The LEA want him in there for a while then try and get him back to mainstream. He needs a statement to attend a mainstream with ASD resource centre.

Having a meeting with parent partnership tomorrow to discuss appeal and know she feels the PRU prob not suitable.

No no no no and more no.

There are, apparently, some suitable ones out there but in general this is just a cheap way for the LEA to pretend they're "helping" (imagine that last word said by Margot from the Good Life for full effect)

PRU staff will have had no more ASD training than regular school staff. In fact, in my year working in one I don't recall us LSAs being given any training whatsoever...

Really hope you get the dx desperately and he gets placed in a really good high school, how old is he?

Thanks sickof I don't really think this one is really going to be suitable but will look...

purple gut feeling is that it is a huge budget saving hole to put vulnerable kids. We don't have any specialist schools in area but one with an ASD resource which is quite good.

He's 12. starfish We do have a sm (agreed without a dx!) but he has only attended school part-time for months now so we will be pushing for full-time support.Think an ASD unit in mainstream would be best for him but he obviously can't attend without a dx. Think we will be struggling to find the right placement tbh. I really don't think a PRU is the right place for your son so go along to look but don't agree to send him there. As pidj said the staff there are not ASD trained (I asked) and are used to managing behavioural issues and it sounds like your ds doesn't have these. Keep working on dx and appealing the refusal to assess as it's ridiculous your ds has been out of school for so long.

I was told that PRU/BESD schools are unsuitable for ASD children.

However, someone told me of a BESD school she visited and was very impressed with it. The school seems geared towards ASD children and all strategies are formulated for ASD children. She is sending both her AS children there. I had a look at their OFSTED report and it says that more than 50% of the children at the school have ASD.

Perhaps have a look at it and if you don't like it, you can justify your decision to reject.