Are IEPs compulsory, or just helpful?

[feelathome]

DS has behaviour issues, is getting support from an Ed psyc in school, and special provision in another setting 3 days a week.
His main school says he doesn't need an IEP cos its not an educational issue but a behavioural one. So does he need an IBP?

Are they obliged to do one, or is it just good practice?

I thought because he has support from outside the school, that puts him on SA+ so HAS to have an IEP or IBP.
Am I right, or wrong?
thanks

Just good practice. Your child could also be on SA+ and not receive any support in school.

so what would the point of SA+ be if they didn't get any help in school?

SA+ could mean receives input from a Paed or social services for example. Or receives input outside of school from OT, SALT.

If they are refusing to write an IEP you could ask how they intend to monitor progress. How they will they plan what support your child needs and whether any input has been successful and how they should be taught etc.

Sorry I should add that I totally agree your child should have an IEP. Just that it good practise.

I think they are relying on this other setting to sort out all the problems, whilst they just 'manage' him on the 2 days he is there.

I think as far as they see it, there is no progress to be made. He has 1-1 support and if he gets through the day without lashing out it has been a good day, if he doesn't, its been a bad day. I'm not sure there is much strategic or forward thinking at all.

They do have lots of strategies in place to help him manage his anger, but they don't seem to be thinking about the future, how to move him on, it feels like they are just babysitting him really.
I have a meeting with the SENCO next week, but not sure what i want to ask/get out of the meeting.

I assume EP has made written recommendations?

I assume special provision off site, im assuming a behavioural unit/school of some kind? should have also made recommendations?

I assume school have some difficulty managing his behaviour?

Behavioural issues are educational issues, if they interfere with his learning.

Yes Claw, he goes to a behavioural school, and they are helping him, but I really don't know how the two settings are working together. EP hasn't spoken to the behavioural school, so i don't know if the strategies are the same.
And yes, I feel it is interfering with his learning, as the behavioural school do not offer an appropriate curriculum for him, but do the emotional side well, the school offer him the curriculum,but only part time, so he must be falling behind in his learning.

Personally I would be asking or writing to SENCO along the lines of

My understanding of the purpose of an IEP is to help teaching staff to plan for the child, teach him, and review their progress. It should also be accessible and understandable to all concerned. For example the IEP could easily be implemented by a teacher who had no knowledge of my child or his problems.

• What help should be given
• How the help is to be given
• Who will give the help
• How often the help will be given
• How progress will be monitored and how it will be decided if the help has been successful
• What the agreed targets are

Could you please explain the perceived usefulness of intervention if the above are not including in it?

EP has made recommendations of x, y, z

Why are recommendations not being included in an IEP?

I would also add a paragraph about a joined up approach (including you) and the importance of the three settings ie 2 schools and you, working together to ensure strategies and skills are transferred between settings.

For example how confusing it would be for your ds if 1st school are using one approach, 2nd school a different one and home another.

thanks, you have put my muddled thoughts into proper words!

Oh good, glad to help

You could also add a paragraph about your ds's behaviour being an educational need, as his behaviour is having a severe impact on his ability to learn and access the curriculum.

She is talking rubbish, my ds's main difficulties are behavioural, its the impact his SN's have on him and it interferes with his ability to learn. He has an IEP and a Statement.

My ds's had both IBPs and IEPs for their behavioural difficulties. The catalogue of failure of them to reach their targets on the IEPs helped us get them statemented so is worth having them for that reason alone.