HE group says no to SEN

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

This isn't the one next to my home (I don't think) but another local one
Sent an email listing activities with a personal note stating they don't take children with SEN as they don't have the staff structure to support them.

No 'we may not be able to meet all types of disability, please call to discuss' or 'children who need extra supervision needs to be accompanied' or even 'please let us know if your child has SEN and discuss this with us so we can see if we can meet need'

Just 'we don't take children with SEN'.

What does that even mean? Wheelchair users? Children with dyslexia? Children with hearing aids?

Crikey! Are you going to challenge it? Do you think you'd be able to get away with turning up and then seeing if they notice your DS's ASD? He's a pretty affable chap, I reckon you could get away with it. Mind you...I'm not sure I'd want to be within spitting distance.

How awful.

What staff, anyway? Aren't HE groups for HEers?? Don't they go themselves?

'Staff' is a bit highfalutin isn't it??

Jaw on floor! Is this a new group?

Star, I'm going to hand you the award for 'Most unlucky parent of a child with SN....ever'. You get it wherever you go. It's quite unbelievable.

(Except I believe you, of course.)

I dunno. The woman has been a little bit evasive so I'm guessing clicky-arrogant.

And DH said straightaway that they have de-selected themselves from the privilege of having Ds among them and thought I was mad for even suggesting I continue any further email dialogue.

Your DH is a wise man. Your DS is a delightful young man who would be an asset to any group. If he ever wants to discuss tape measures, I'll be happy to oblige.

Oh No Lougle. I am lucky too. DS has been going to mainstream Spanish lessons. Teacher completely unfazed. Find out later she has son with ADHD.

He attended swimming lessons with teacher who affectionately called him 'doughnut' yeah, not sure about that one and praised him highly.

He's in the most inclusive choir ever and an orchestra where the conductor refers to him as 'a delight to have'.

Really, I'm worried I'm seen as nothing but a right miserable whinger.

Handy. No. I think it is a well established group. I can link their facebook page if you're interested. Though I can't quite work them out.

I'm glad.You're not a whinger

Thanks Lougle

Can you imagine a Scouts group saying that?

I can't.

You not having a great deal of luck lately star.
If that's there attitude your really don't want your son going there anyway.
I'm sure your find him something better .
There old saying : as one door closes another there waiting to be opened.
Good luck , hope you find a group that will welcome your son for the person he is .

tape measures? My son rhapsodises about them and if I didn't keep one or two hidden I would never have anything to measure with. Nice to know it's not just him. (I was beginning to wonder!)

But that's rubbish about the HE group. I'd send them back a note saying "I'm sorry that you are limiting yourself in such a undignified manner. Discrimination based on disability is such an ugly thing to teach children. But thank you for pointing out the shortcomings in your group. I will be looking elsewhere for a more inclusive and well rounded HE group."

WTF?

A high % of home edded children are such because they slip between the cracks of state provision. They aren't "electively" HE'd they are taught at home as their parents feel they have no choice really. With this in mind that group not only makes no sense, but I'm not even sure are totally kosher and legal in their set up.

Staff? Are their staff properly vetted, as childminders, teachers etc have to be? I'd check. We only have one group that employs people here and that's cos they are listed as an exam centre and hire tutors for GCSE courses as requested by members. (cheaper to pool funds for foreign language tuition etc for parents). Disabilities are welcome though, and the LA helps with getting extra time, equipment etc for exams where needed as that's a complex process. They cater for families from about 6 counties.

Sadly not all Church hall or homes can cater for every physical disability, (eg my last home was on the 3rd floor with no lift, so if I'd invited HEdders the invite would have excluded wheel chair users). It's VERY unusual for them not to even try though - I've seen pleas go out on forums for suitable meet up locations.

Likewise parents are so heavily involved that normally it's fine for a parent to act as TA for any bought in tuition groups etc. That high % of non NT kids means normally there is a helluva lot of expertise about ASD, ADHD, SPD, dyslexia, gifted etc floating around home ed groups - certainly I've found it one of the big boons to have access to so many knowledgeable non-carrots.

Name and shame them, at least to the education otherwise team, so they can be excluded from listings. This isn't the normal pattern for a home ed group by any means. They do NOT represent the norm.

Thanks Boch.

I looked up the woman who runs it and she is a naturopath.

Now I don't know much about this profession but the only other one I know (a family member) believes that disabilities are caused by living an unclean, synthetic life.

Maybe that is what she is really discriminating against in her mind?

The HE groups we encountered were rubbish. More like badly organised social clubs, with a few pencils and paper thrown onto a table. No other children there with SN's either.

Have you given any thought to starting your own?

Maybe children with SEN give out bad vibes, or something. I wonder if she boys into Indigo/Crystal children type woo.

Not until now. Thanks Claw!