16 yr old school/college angst

[lookingforbaubles]

i have my dd review tomorrow -she attends a special school, which is lovely and shes doing well there

i thought we would just chug along until she was 19, as the school has provision up to 19 yr old except the school is closing in oct 2014 -they will merge 3 special schools into one new build

the blood pressure raising concerns im having at the moment is to merge 3 schools into one means cut backs on pupil numbers --it seems the 6th form will be the target for this as they will 'encourage' the 16 yr olds in to local college

my dd statement will end if she starts college hence cutting the budget for the LEA, limited support will be in place for college users, she will go from being picked up each day for school to 6 weeks of limited support and then flying solo in a main stream college in some specialist course

sigh

im dreading it, she will not cope --and its alright for professionals to say to try it, but they dont have to live 24/7 with the fall out

We had the same experience.. our SS only goes to 16 so DS2 was forced to move to the local mainstream college last September. He's on a special ed course (Pathways) but despite extensive transition, reviews, conexxions bla bla, the actual transition was a farce. They didn't even read hsi transition info and within 6 weeks my hitherto happy, gentle young man (autism and mild LDs with NO behavioural problems) became a terrified pacing wreck who eventually had the mother of all meltdowns after some spectacularly poor handling .

We are now picking up the pieces.. he has transferred to a llower functioning group where at least he is treated kindly, but it's not meeting his needs, and we are seeing CAHMS this week with a view to anti anxiety meds. It has been hideous:(

If you can..find another SS with a 6th form.. or be prepared to fight to keep her where she is. Our options are limited here but I wish I could have found out more, done more... post 16 sucks.

oh crumbs thats what i fear for my dd --your poor son :-(

the new school will have a 6th form but its all down to a numbers game --college wouldnt even be considered college if her school wasnt closing, its all so shit!

the transitions team have such limited resources, and such a narrow requirements tick list these days for services -i am told...

i dont know what im expected to do in these upcoming magical few months that a whole team of people havent managed to do for the past 16 yrs to ensure shes more independent!!

best of luck -it seems to be luck when professionals are involved- for your ds recovery

Post 16 has been horrid for ds too. He started at the local college ( his school had no 6th form) in September. I feel Iike they've reversed much of the advances that he made at his wonderful secondary. It's been a real eye opener too to the unbelievable ignorance of some lecturers to special needs . Some of the comments were like going back 12 years!. If you can find a sixth form with Sn provision then I urge you to go that route.

Medusa ... Your poor ds

My daughter's special goes to 19 but as it is not in our LEA they were not keen to fund it. We visited all the local proposed FE provisions and showed where they would not meet her needs, SALT etc. Our LEA will now fund her place at school until at least 18.

One of the course leaders we met was really helpful, listened and agreed they could not meet her needs currently and said as much to the LEA. One course leader was a lying b*$*d who would have said anything to get her enrolled. His provision was really poor.

I would hold out for a place in the new post 16 provision but do visit any colleges suggested to you. Also look at other SS. Good luck.