School Trip Anxiety

6 replies

YesAnastasia · 06/01/2014 21:07

DS (4.5) has an afternoon trip to a pantomime on Friday.

He is currently being assessed for SEN by us (privately) and school but it's taking a long time to get a diagnosis.

Can I ask for special attention be given to him for this trip outside of school? Do children with an ASD or ADHD diagnosis automatically get exclused from trips or are they supposed to have special supervision. I'm surprised it hasn't been offered because he does make them nervous with his behaviour, particularly running away & hiding. He definitely needs to be watched. I have never allowed him to go on trips before.

Another problem is that he knows all about it and if they can't offer one adult to look after him then I can't let him go, he won't be safe. He'll think it's a punishment that I'm not letting him go, he's really looking forward to it & will be so disappointed. I can't go with him because I have DS2 with me.

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PolterGoose · 06/01/2014 21:17

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Original poster

YesAnastasia · 06/01/2014 21:37

I will probably need to speak to either the Head or his teacher face to face. I'm always in & out of the school (despite him only having been there since Sept) and I'm in the PTA. An email from me would seem odd.

I expect to be fobbed off in a 'We'll keep an eye on him, don't worry' kind of way & he needs (and I need) way more than that for me to feel comfortable sending him. You think I should enter the conversation on the assumption that he'll have a specific adult with him at all times not this 1 adult to however many children?

What do schools 'legally' have to do in respect to SEN children on trips out? Are they automatically give one adult especially for them?

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Jacksterbear · 07/01/2014 16:16

I think they have to undertake a risk assessment, so a child prone to bolting should lead them to conclude that the child needs extra /one-to-one supervision. The last school trip ds (also a bolter) went on, I was asked, and was able, to go. I don't know what would have happened, though, if I'd been unable to or had refused. I guess they would have had to find an extra staff member.

Original poster

YesAnastasia · 08/01/2014 01:18

Yes, I have a bolter! Haha. I went to see the head today (...yesterday now) who assures me he'll be in his teacher's group and she will hold his hand. I think I'm happy with that but I will still worry myself half to death on Friday.

I can't help thinking (and hoping) his difficulties will be taken more seriously when he has a diagnosis!

Thanks for your replies btw :)

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Original poster

YesAnastasia · 08/01/2014 01:19

I can't help thinking (and hoping) his difficulties will be taken more seriously when he has a diagnosis!

Thanks for your replies btw :)

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Original poster

YesAnastasia · 08/01/2014 01:19

I can't help thinking (and hoping) his difficulties will be taken more seriously when he has a diagnosis!

Thanks for your replies btw :)

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