Please or to access all these features

SN children

Here are some suggested organisations that offer expert advice on special needs.

What is the SENCO role?

7 replies

Spiraling · 08/11/2013 12:33

Had a meeting with ds (Hfa and epilsey) teacher and SENCO, been having a few worries with him at school, him running off, hiding in the toilet, saying kids are attacking him and retaliating, messing stuff up in the class room, tearing down his pictures for example. He gets v.v. upset his told off. The teacher has clearly been shaken by his meltdowns, not knowing how to handle them. But I appreciate she is spending time trying to resolve this.

So I come up with some ideas, a few from here probably, as we did not think the IEP was enough. Support in the subjects he does not like. Shorter playtime, positive reinforcement, a reward bag of his stuff if succeeds etc. the teacher and I agreed on ideas and were happy, she would have to run by a few things though. Also she agreed to a communication book.

At no point did the SENCO say anything or in fact do anything during the meeting. Ds was in the room, it lasted nearly an hour, at no point did she try and engage with ds either and build a repore with him, or see what he enjoyed. No research or social stories bought out, 5point scales, behaviour stuff. Oh but she did contact SALT and autism outreach, I can see she was pleased with this, but that was weeks ago.

I thought she might of had a bit of understanding about the conditions, ideas over the years to what might work. Oh I asked about an Ed psych being involved and apparently ds is not bad enough yet, I guess until he really starts self harming or attacking kids, and disrupting the class even more.

OP posts:
AttilaTheMeerkat · 08/11/2013 12:44

Clearly both the SENCO and this school have no idea of what to do here and are failing your son as a result. His additional needs there are simply not being met.

Its all very well and good this SENCO calling in Autism Outreach and the like but their words can carry very little weight in schools.

I guess no-one there has ever mentioned the words "apply for a statement" to you.

I would also now be applying to the LEA in question for a statement of special needs for your son. That will also trigger EP involvement.

www.ipsea.org.uk is a good website and has lots of information on it.

mommapiggy · 08/11/2013 15:57

Sadly sounds like you've got a SENCO who hasn't the foggiest. Probably only doing the job as it means a few extra grades on the pay and will look good on the CV, possibly done the course been on a few seminars but really does not care or have the passion about SEN that a good SENCO should have. In which case the onus sadly will fall on you to do your research and fight for the assessments and then push for the statement etc if needs be, pay for a private EP assessment - thankfully we were able to self refer and are lucky to have a great LA EP who knows exactly who the good SENCOs are.

StarlightMcKenzie · 08/11/2013 16:12

Sounds like my Ds' old SENCO. Very nice smile is about the only positive or negative thing I could say about her.

hoxtonbabe · 08/11/2013 19:02

Here we go..another "useful" SENCO.

The best one is my DS SENCO recently been promoted to director of SEN?!? This is a reasonably small school by state secondary school standards...director! She couldnt direct her brain out of her backside!

It's this thing of " they are not bad enough yet so can't refer" that puzzles me. Why should one wait until this get so bad you will eventually have to put doubly more provision in place once it is " bad enough"

2boysnamedR · 08/11/2013 19:14

I agree. Kids must fail spectacularly before they get help. My senco agrees. By the time he has got so frustrated he is being disruptive and possibly violent I will have a nervous breakdown from the stress of trying to prevent it.

Then she will have to sort it all out alone. I will be to disalusioned by then

mummytime · 08/11/2013 20:08

Oh we had a Director of SEN, she was/is totally useless. Fortunately the SENCO is fabulous, and I think the Director did a lot of paperwork and forward planning.
My DCs primary school SENCO admits she doesn't know much, but she is good at the paperwork and employing people who do know what they are doing (better than nothing). Two of my DC have had quite a bit of help (although the school didn't spot why one of my DC was causing them problems). They totally missed the other ones SEN, and it was only I and the secondary SENCO who got her put on the register and then assessed.

Spiraling · 10/11/2013 00:28

Found this on the school website:
liaising with and advising teachers
liaising with parents of children with SEN
co-ordinating provision for children with special educational needs
liaising with external agencies including the LA's support and educational psychology services, health services, social services and voluntary bodies

So in theory, her role has a good simple description, clearly she has not read it. As far as I can tell this is her only role, 3days a week, so it amuses me that the deputy head is doing the running around and trying to reassure me - apparently even dreamt about ds Hmm. I do not complain usually, but I don't think I have come across such an ineffective person.

Star, she has mastered the smile and nodding dog responses.

Damn schools as if life is not complicated enough. I guess school's are following the nhs line - wait till crash and burned wait and see policy.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page