Going Gp to try and get ds signed off of school in 30 minutes

[claw4]

any advice?

Is it difficult to get gp to agree to this?

I am taking pictures of the injuries ds has caused himself due to anxiety. I have report from CAMHS saying its school related.

Anything else i should take?

The trouble with LA provided home tutoring is that it takes so long to put in place. They generally expect school to cover the first few weeks of absence and then only supply English and Math tutoring. It took me 6 months and numerous solicitor's letters to get up to 11 hours per week -and that was during a GCSE years when he should have had virtually full time home ed. But the LA alwys had some excuse - i.e. no language teachers available for home tuition, disapplication from Science as no lab facilities at home etc etc. DS only got ever receibed home tutoring in Maths English Art and IT (using our home PC).

I need to do a few letters, including LA enclosing a copy of GP letter.

I will use some of that info, thanks Agnes.

Wet, If ds gets a statement i will school another go, obviously not this one, but another. If not i will home ed.

Ds is a bright boy, who adores learning, he is obsessed with it, he would quite happily sit her all day long, doing work books, reading etc, etc so potentially could do well. So far ive had to try to become an expert in bloody everything, why not a teacher!

Not saying you should Home Ed. Am saying that as he's signed off he's entitled to LA funded home tuition until he's fit to return to a suitable school (obviously after you've got that Statement).

Yes claw at the very least the LA should provide an hour a day home Tutition. It's not much but we have been lucky with ours, she is very nice and has had some experience dealing with ASD and anxiety. Really hoping you get support you need. And if he is too anxious to attend school, as verified by your GP they really should look at decision not to assess.

Section 19 Education Act 1996
Exceptional Provision of education in PRU or elsewhere:

Each local education authority shall make arrangements for the provision of suitable education at school or otherwise than at school for those children of compulsory school age who, by reason of illness, exclusion from school or otherwise, may not for any period receive suitable education unless such arrangements are made for them.

In this section ?suitable education?, in relation to a child or young person, means efficient education suitable to his age, ability and aptitude and to any special educational needs he may have.

Wet, thanks that will be my first choice, but if he doesnt get a statement, i dont see i have any other choice but to home ed.

Star, thanks will get writing some letters once ds is in bed, i have my laptop back today, its been broken for days.

Agnes, thank you so much.

He will get a Statement Claw. You've just improved your chances 100% by getting GP to state in writing that he has school-induced anxiety.

You need to start looking around at possible schools for him to attend (including private sector if necessary).

Tip: When you write to LA requesting home tuition ask them to forward your request to the section that deals with EOTAS - Education Other Than At School. Otherwise LA will write back saying they don't arrange home tuition and that you'll need to contact EOTAS. Of course they are just playing for time

Wet, im going to write to LA stating im disappointed at their decision, enclose GP letter and ask them to reconsider their decision. Then request some home tuition including the EOTAS bit and quote Agnes education act at them?

hi claw
my ds was signed off. It was such a relef to not have to worry about being prosecuted etc because ds wouldn't/couldn't go to school. The LEA should be able to get something in place for Sept with regards to home tuition perhaps?

Claw

I would't directly ask the LA for a reconsideration. I would just tell them quite clearly that since they have refused to issue a Statement I have lodged a SENDIST appeal.

It's then implicit that they reconsider their decision if they wish to avoid a Tribunal.

Hi Corny, i cant be prosecuted, but i am fully expecting a lot of pressure. School are already saying im 'over anxious' about ds's needs and therefore the cause of his anxiety, they will try to twist this no doubt, as will the LA.

I hope the LA will provide some kind of tuition, but im sure they will try to stall.

Ds is quite happy in the meantime with his own timetable which he created and even added time limits! today we did register 'to make sure he was here' reading 13 minutes, maths 16 minutes, playtime 10 minutes, show an tell 3 minutes, music 10 minutes, history 19 minutes, PE 10 minutes, spelling 10 minutes and story time 10 minutes!

Wet, can i say that even if i havent lodged the appeal yet?

2 choices - either lodge an appeal immediaely or say you intend to lodge an appeal.

Claw - this is a big step forward. Thank God for your sensible GP. You just need someone on your side.

How long is he signed off for? Sorry I might have missed that.

I know you are not home edding officially but I remember it being a massive relief when we stopped going to DS's old school daily. Massive.

Claw, you are not disappointed, you are 'alarmed'

Thanks Wet

AE i took pictures and Camhs reports. Letter was along the lines of he has high anxiety, school environment aggravates more, Camhs have indicated that as a result he injures himself. Parents have applied for statement in view of high anxiety and self harm. "I have advised that he should not attend school until he receives further directions"

So indefinitely?

Star oh yes i would not forget 'alarmed'

Can you take him along to the library's story sessions, children centre drop-in etc. Nice for you to get out, genuinely educational for him in terms of life skills and triad of impairments, may meet potentially supportive professional types and makes you and DS more 'visible'

Does your area have anything like [http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/education/s/2086908_afterschool_club_for_children_with_special_needs this]?

this oops

Thanks, just did a quick google the NAS run a group which isnt a million miles from us.

Ds has been to 'social' club today, its a local community run club, where he can do arts and crafts, use of a laptop, air hockey tables etc, for children from 5-11 (not special needs) although one of the ladies who runs it, has a child with ASD and she keeps an eye on ds. Two of the other volunteers are my neighbours, so ds is familar with them. Its quite a small group ie only 20 children allowed, so suits ds.

At the moment ds is very resistant and rigid to any kind of changes to routine. Not going to school every day, is a major change for him and he has been anxious about the change, although happy, still anxious and very rigid.

So for the moment, we are having to stick to a very strict routine and i will make small, gradual changes to his routine, so as not to make his anxiety any worse.

But i have added a watch to this thread for future ideas, it shouldnt take too long for ds to settle down. Thanks again.