PRU for assessments

[sweetteamum]

Well, the LEA have now been told my DD doesn't want to go back to that school. She's not forgiving and forgetting something from there, as well as us having lots of issues with them not listening and acting on our concerns. Anyway, I told them on Friday how DD feels, so the balls in their court now.

I mentioned the EP had said the local specialist school would not be suitable (as per EP telling me) and that she would be too able and her levels are too high. The LEA said this wasn't the case as they had all abilities there. She said IF they decide to place her there after the statement has been done, and she could fit into the school, then thats wher they'd be hoping to place her - this is after they decide if MS is good or not which it's not and I think they're realising just how complex dd is now

Anyway, i'd like your views; They want to place dd in a temp they've made a deal of saying it's not long term Unit for children with medical issues as well as behavioural......Would you suggest this or anyone have any experiences of a temp unit placement, purely so they can get the assessments done. Are they going to want to place her back in mainstream as she'll have to stay on the ms school roll but attend as their student.

Oh it's all very confusing and hope someone can make sense of it.

Hi sweet, there are a couple of posters on here whose children have been at or are currently at PRU's.

I have little experience other than knowing some amazing people who work in them.

I think there is a place for them and I know that many of the children attending them do not just have challenging behaviour, there is always an underlying reason for it.

You could go and have a look, meet the staff and see what you think.

I think you would be hard pressed to turn it down without looking anyway.

If it is not suitable you will be able to say why and push for an alternative. It would also give you some breathing space while you sort out the statement etc.

PRU's are often part time so it could work, if and only if they can meet her needs.

Good luck

My ds was placed in a PRU for a while to 'boost his self esteem' . It was totally the wrong place for him and he hated it but I know of other posters who have had more positive experiences.Make sure you get in writing how long the 'temporary' stay is for.
The only plus for us was the small group size which showed that he needed a much smaller environment than mainstream could provide. We are now working towards a place in a specialist school for him.

Is it a PRU and not a hospital school? PRU in my area is for kids who have been excluded from school...perhaps different in your area?

Thank you both very much for your replies :)

I definitely want her to be back into a school routine and am willing to try anything they suggest to be honest - The only thing I will stand up against is her going back into that awful school. I'll back her endlessley.

I should think they know she needs small group work, can't cope with too many people at once, etc etc etc but would probably like to see for themselves. I'm going to suggest they let us visit, then i'll get it in writing and then make our decision - my only concern is her changing routines so often in a short space of time that it'll take her a long time to settle.

Thats what worries me ilike, this is the description:

This Inclusion Centre is part of the area's Behaviour and Inclusion, Improvement Service. It is an integrated Service which, since 2004, incorporates a Tuition Service base for key stage 3 & 4 and an outreach tuition service for all key stages. Teachers utilise a number of settings according to students' learning needs, which are varied and complex. Within the base there are a significant number of students with diagnosed anxiety disorders, and medical conditions.

Students remain on their school roll as well as being registered with the Service. Whenever it is suitable, students are re-integrated into school. The outreach service support a small number of pupils in their home setting.

Sorry, i'm not sure what a hospital school is

Our PRU was mainly for children at risk of permanent exclusion so had some quite severe behavioural difficulties. We have since been told that Ds was placed there to give everyone 'breathing space' as they didn't know what else to do with him. We were in fact given a whole load of different reasons why he was placed there .I think if there is nowhere else for the children to go then they are placed there while the LA decides what to do - this could be what's happening with your dd. We were not allowed to visit before he went and when I asked what would happen if he hated it and would he be able to return to his school I received no response.
Just be clear what the purpose is and how long she will stay there for.

Thank you fighting. Ill call the lea tomorrow to clarify everything. I'm sure they may be Ofsted registered then. Ill have a look. I'm worried that's what they're doing with dd. There's something niggling me about it and I really can't put my finger on the cause.

How do the lea otherwise assess dd for statement if this place is no good?

Sorry, can't answer the assessment question as ds already had a sm.
Hope you get thngs sorted.

I'm on the ofsted site and not sure how I feel about it so far, anyway

""Students who attend the pupil referral unit (PRU) are either permanently excluded, on a long fixed-term exclusion or in danger of permanent exclusion. A small group of Traveller students also receive a discrete package of additional support from the PRU. Students start and leave the centres at different times of the school year. There is a high turnover in the two centres for students aged 11 to 14 years as most students return to mainstream. In 2007-08, 133 students were placed in the PRU and 108 left. Virtually all students are of White British heritage. Girls make up around one third of the population. The proportion of students entitled to free school meals is high. A number of students are young offenders and others have mental health problems. Some students have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and a few students have a statement of special educational need. Five students are looked after by the local authority. Four students are living independently in a hostel. When they are admitted to the provision, many students have a history of very poor school attendance and a negative attitude towards education. The role of the Inclusion Support Service is currently under review.""

Ohh dear, i've confused myself more now.

How did Ofsted rate the care and education that the YP received sweet.

I know the intake is scary but if what they get while they are there is at least Good but preferably Outstanding then it could be ok.

Having said that, if it was an old report and got note to improve or special measures it could have had a new head of centre and may have improved massively.

I still think you need to go and look at it. If the LA say you cant stand firm and say you are not sending your Dd anywhere you havent looked at.

I am sure they havent got a leg to stand on saying you cant go and look round.
fighting What did you say when you were told that?

I'll just go and look........

Inspection in 2006

Care, guidance and support - Grade: 2

Teaching and learning - Grade: 3

Curriculum and other activities - Grade: 3

Inspection in 2009

Care, guidance and support - Grade: 2

Teaching and learning - Grade: 2

Curriculum and other activities - Grade: 2

The report says how good the care, support and communication with parents/carers etc is really good

Hmm, it is really difficult isnt it.

I am sure there is someone on here who has had a really positive experience with a PRU, I just wish I could remember who it is.

Perhaps you could do a thread asking for people whose children are in PRU's, although I am surprised they havent come out of the woodwork to look at this thread.

As I said earlier I have no real experience but have worked alongside staff from a PRU and have had friends who worked in 2 different ones. They are very dedicated people who have a wealth of experience with children from all different backgrounds with all different needs.

Does the PRU have a website?

I haven't posted specifically about our experience with our local PRU but for us it was a 'positive' experience. We met the manager of the unit prior to him attending to discuss our concerns etc. DS was the youngest they'd ever admitted. Fortunately they weren't busy and he was paired with an older boy who was at the same academic level. It helped us to maintain a school routine and gave us respite from the environment he had experienced up to that point that was destroying his self esteem and escalating his behaviour. The staff working there were amazing and they worked very hard at ensuring that he wasn't subject to witnessing the more challenging children's difficulties. It also gave us time to set up admission to an alternative school which was of our choice and not one forced upon us. Have a look and talk in detail to the staff and as one of the posts above, get it confirmed as to how long it will be for.

My eldest DS is currently at a PRU, had very mixed feelings about him going there and still not entirely sure it is the right place for DS BUT he is attending every day after being at home a virtual recluse for months after a horrible time in mainstream secondary school.

They even got him on a bus on Friday for a trip into town! And sent me a photo to prove it! Mixed feelings still as I don't feel they truly "get" my son but am finding it mostly positive at the moment.

I hope my DS will be able to move on from there when he is ready. But in our area we are really limited in suitable placements/ schools.

I dont have any experience with PRUs so i cant help from that point other than to agree with everyone else and that is to request to go and see for yourself just as if you were viewing any school environment for your DC.

As far as assessment goes. In your post you mentioned an EP? did this EP assess your DD in the horrid school? AS tbh if assessment is in motion and the EP has assessed at school etc then any further assessment could be done at home and you have a choice of elective home education until a full time place in another better school is found. HOWEVER if you do that this current school relinquishes all responsibility for her education and she is removed from their records. So you have to play safe and write what your wishes are that your intention is to have her in suitable mainstream school and not long term home ed. This will ring bells in the right places ie School Welfare Officer will come and assess and social services will come and assess but this is a good thing to happen as you have another chance to explain your situation and a further supportive report go to the LA saying you want your child in a proper school x

Another alternative is just plain old keep her out dont ring saying she is sick etc and just say in writing that they cannot at present meet your DDs needs and list the reasons why if you wish, UNTIL a statement assessment is done and finalised dd is to stressed to attend. Also you are able to ring the educational welfare officer yourself and discuss the issues and sometimes that stands you in good stead as you are open and transparent about what is going on.

Dont fret. Visit this PRU THEN decide whats best for you and your DD.

someone else will come along hopefully with the LEGAL jargon I fail to absorb and remember

Thank you all so much for your experiences and very valuable advice.

I have checked and we will get the opportunity to visit before she attends. She will stay at horrid school, on record only. She has now said for sure that she cannot attend. Should I put my reasons in writing now do you think?

Will it be the attendance officer at school or will it be the person at the lea? Attendance office has listed her absence as illness now.

EP visited at home, spent 40 minutes with her and told me she's fine and will be ok in MS school, she laughed at humour and had a 2-way conversation (he asked q's and she answered) therefore he doubts she's got ASD - that's another story though!! Also, i'm not aware that any report has been done yet even though it was needed for the multi-disciplinary meeting last week. To date I still haven't found out.

Anyway, i've gone off on one so I apologise :D

FGS, EP's where do they get off.

They cannot diagnose or not diagnose anybody it is not in their remit!!

I was told by one last week to give a child with one to one support more adult attention!!!

I wanted to say How the fuck am I supposed to give more than one to one.

Oh that is just ridiculous to say that to you!! Bloody idiots - the ones I've come across are anyway!

I'm not even sure he provided his report in time for meeting!

Why do they have such a big input into diagnosis when they're educational ?!?! Gets on my nerves

Have NC for xmas.

I dont know why the ep's are involved with some dc's. Dd3 has never seen one. In my area they are rare, thank goodness.

I think they only become involved at the statementing stage round here.

The one i spoke to last week was relating to a child I work with and even then it was only as an advisor. Crap advice has been ignored, I wont be bothering again

I am glad a couple of people with some experience of PRU's have posted.

Good luck whatever you decide