Just got the SENCO into trouble.

[lifeintheolddogyet]

Oh well... at a parents' open morning at the school and mentioned to one of the deputy heads that we'd not had a meeting about DS2's IEP (he's School Action +.) It went from all nice and light to her with a face like thunder. She wanted to know all of his details, what contact the SENCO had had with us so far, etc etc. She told me she was 'getting onto it'. I'm not sure what she means.

We're in a meeting tomorrow anyway with his various therapists, specialist teacher, class teacher and the SENCO but now it's going to be... uncomfortable. I'm nervous enough as it is and had asked for the meeting to clarify what his targets were and how to help his self esteem. He's only 4 ffs and just started Reception and he's already coming home from school and saying he's 'slow' and 'can't do it.'

Sorry. Just had to share my nerves.

Well maybe she,should do her job properly then :)
If it makes you feel better I got TA into trouble the other week

Not your fault, the senco as a job to do and she should be doing it.

It might not get the SENCO into trouble. The DH might have just twigged that the SENCO needs more training or support or time!?

wow...I'd be wondering if this deputy head has a clue that your DS has any sn and knows nothing about it...it sounds like asking for all the details (means she knows nothing)and 'I'm getting into it'...might mean the senco hasn't been keeping anyone in the loop...words will be being had!!! lol

Hhmmm, interesting meeting it's going to be I think!!!...don't be nervous though...keep mindful of what your DS needs are and be careful not to agree too hastily with anything...say, 'I will need some time to think this over,discuss more at home, etc, can I let you know about this later. If I can have a copy of the meetings minutes, it will be a great help to me'. ..and take a note of everyones phone/email, etc details so when you are replying and keeping your paper trail on things...you email everyone and phone to make sure it is received too....no room for excuses later if something should happen and/or maybe doesn't....email again to everyone involved...keep everyone in the loop and then it should be easier for you and save you from repeating yourself, things getting left undone, etc...
Good luck with the meeting

you probably already know all this...

lisad123 that does make me feel better actually.

Aw, thank you all. It's a big 3 form entry primary that has about 8 DHs (no exaggeration there) so I'm not surprised she didn't have a clue about DS2... BUT that said, the SENCO is notoriously uncommunicative. She bought a piece of equipment for DS2 and didn't tell anyone she'd got it, or even the funding for it for that matter, for months and months.

lisad123 and Cats - that is their job, isn't it! To tell everyone what is going on for the child, when, and why. All the schools I've worked in this has been the case, though this is my first school as a parent so I didn't really know if by calling the meeting I was complicating matters.

You're right Starlight - well handled this could work out well for everyone. She's a FT SENCO as the school's so huge and used by a lot of families with a lot of need. I'd have expected her to be in touch by now as I assume that it is her responsibility, not that of the class teacher, to keep me informed about who is working with DS, when and what they're doing with him. Or at least, to be encouraging them to contact me if that is their remit.

whatthe - I hadn't thought of all that at all, so thank you. I'm a teacher as well and think I'll be a much better one now the boot's on the other foot! DH is coming too, thank GOD and he has a cool calm head. He's an incredibly slow writer though so I'll be the one taking the notes I think.

again all.

I think you need to find out who the 'lead role' person is too...this should probably be the senco but I'd be clarifying everything!

I think it is important to have things decided on made clear about how long it will be implemented, who will do the piece of work, when will it be decided if something is continued or something else is maybe tried, etc....I think things can get lost in the myriad of conversation during a meeting, things get missed, etc or simply not acted upon afterwards. try to pin down the who, when, how and for how long Q's...and when you get home...make up a file or pc doc so you can check weekly what should be happening, when by whom and then you can regularly check in on progress, etc with whoever is involved with each thing, etc

You will be a brilliant admin/secetarial specialist in a few months time!!! ....well worth the effort though...and keeps you on top and them on their toes, paying attention and not just blethering air!!!

I assume the lead will be the SENCO but I have a feeling it will end up being me. She's an arse coverer, we found that out in our first meeting (that we asked for) before DS2 started the school. I won't go into all that now but we were not impressed.

I have found the SALT's reports to be very very vague with the detail about what's to happen next. The 'course of action' section at the end of the report is basically just 'keeping reviewing' which means nothing imo; there's very little actual meat about what's going to be done. I'll try to clarify that tomorrow. I'm a bit about all the staff that work with him being there tomorrow but she called them in so there must be a reason for that.

And I MUST use the word 'blether' tomorrow. At some point, in some capacity, it will be in there. Don't hear it much in East London!

Thanks again. Invaluable advice.

you could always set up a phone and record it all...placed discreetly on top of your bag...set to record but the screen asleep...a bit below the belt but ....sometimes needs must sadly.
I personally have not done this but have heard of it and tbh I wish I had thought of it in advance...some of the non-useful words and little speeches of the 'blether' have been truly priceless
even just for breaking down the gloop from the actual content and meaning with some of the proffs is hard work!!!

Hi, I hope the meeting went well.