Anger/behavioural issues

[8etty8lue]

Hi, Can anyone tell me if a Senco is qualified to decide whether or not a child has sen? A friend's DS is having huge anger management problems, at home but also in school. He's had these problems in school since he started there and it's only getting worse (he's now 8) leading to him being teased to make him react and resulting in fighting. He's already been temporarily excluded more than once and the kids teasing him don't get blamed. The doctor says that that school have to do a report, but the senco says he doesn't have SEN and won't recommend an assessment. If he's had behavioural problems which aren't getting any better (he's also below average attainment), does he need to be seen and assessed? I thought SEN were needs over an above peer group and not just ADHD, ASD etc. The HT has already written to my friend to suggest they take him out of school. Anyone any advice?

The SENCO cannot make a diagnosis, but it is surely the SENCO'S job to assess if the child's needs can be met in the usual way and to implement School Action or School Action plus as appropriate.
If the HT has already asked the parents to remove child, then I think it is quite clear that the chold has SEN and the HT knows this.
Is this a State school or a public school? I guess public schools can decide who they do/don't want without choosing to assess.
It sounds as though the boy needs a referral to CAMHS which can be done ny his GP.

Definitely not the SENCO's call, emotional, social and behavioural difficulties are a special need even if he can cope academically.

We had a similar problem with Dd3's old school. They refused to support us when we wanted to get Dd3 assessed.

Your friend needs to be more forceful and ask for a referral to a developmental paediatrician or CAMHS.

While she is waiting for an appointment she should keep a diary of any difficulties he has, what causes them[if she knows] and how she deals with them.

She needs to act quickly before he gets permanently excluded, if the school is relying on exclusions then they probably arent meeting his needs.

Tell her to come on here for support and advice

Thanks all. My friend (male) is not brave enough for Mumsnet :) Seriously, Thank you both for your good advice. BTW, it is a state primary and I feel they are letting both my friend and his son down badly. I will urge him to go back to the doctor and ask for a referral to a paediatrician. For all its faults, I'm pleased my DS is at the school he's at, and not that one!

I believe that some children will be put on an IEP for BESD (behavioural,emotional, and social difficulties) but if it isn't causing major problems in the class room enviroment ie disrupting other pupils learning or a danger to other pupils and staff it will just be combated with removel from the class due to bad behaviour. Take any correspondance, details of conversations about behaviour to the GP, if not contact the LA EP department outlining the concerns not sure if this will help but it would be worth a try.

The GP should be able to refer both boys 8etty8lue's friends DS and Januaryjojo's DS for CAMHS without the schools report, CAMHS will ask for one anyway.
My GP referred my dd to CAMHS in November. At the moment she is BED (behavioural and emotional difficulties) and is on the schools SEN register at school action, but the school are doing a CAF (common assessment Framework) form next week to help with other matters in the family and to push CAMHS as they haven't done anything yet except transfer it over to integrated services.
It is a battle, but hopefully worth it in the end.

(I'm really starting to think I hit the jackpot with dd's school they have been fantastic!)

Hi january so childrens services are sending the paperwork to you instead of sending it directly to school. Can you not contact them and ask them to send it directly to school and just copy you in on the covering letter so you and they know it has been sent in maybe they can find out whats going on?
We were told that although the letter states a time limit for the paperwork to be returned it is just to move things along a bit quicker they do not actually discharge the child (in our area they don't anyway), just ask the receptionist to give them a gentle reminder, but if that doesn't work not sure what would happen after.

My dd's school are tired of waiting for CAMHS so are going to do a CAF form.
It might be worth asking the school if a CAF is the way to go? Especially if CAMHS pass off to childrens services.
Maybe have a look at the CAF criteria (usually on your county council website) and see if you think it is something the could be considered?
I know CAMHS isn't the only reason for the CAF in our case but the deputy head did say something about having done the form just to kick CAMHS up the backside in the past!

It is such a horrible position to be in. Getting help for children should not be this hard!

I hope things get sorted!

We had a caf and it was the person leading it that helped push our referral to camhs. We were initially rejected but were seen following our appeal. Even being categorised as besd, school should be trying to support a child to stay at school by getting advice from a behavioural advice team. A pastoral support plan through an area education officer can also help with strategies/plans for the child. Parents can also apply for a statement via the la. Ipsea is worth looking at. Ask about school action/school action plus as he should have a ibp or iep set up - senco should be able to help with this.. Keep pushing for support. You can phone the la or parent partnership for input/advice without waiting for the school. Unfortunately though sometimes only a move of school can change a 'label'.