Special schools, where do I begin?

[adrianna22]

So where do I begin?

DS is going into a mainstream school, for the time being in september. He would hopefully get in with a statement, just in time when he starts.

It would be weird to tell the school that I intend for DS to go into a specialised school, would it be rude to do so? How can I go about this?

Regarding the special school placement how do I start off DS getting into specialised school? Do I put down the school on the statement? DS would need to be assessed at the school, which I am currently saving up for, to see if the school would be best for him or not?

Also,what if DS gets into the school and I realise that it is not up to his needs? Can I always take him out of the school, to a new one?

There are two special schools, where I am and even though they both have great facilities and do help kids. There are far too many kids in the classroom, same as mainstream.

Also, the specialist school, that I want DS to go to is a non-maintaned school, so I or the local government would have to pay.

I am also a bit worried that when DS starts schools, the teachers, family would persuade me to not put DS into a special school.

bump :)

Just need to wait for their decision now.

Which school have you asked for on statement? The special mainstream?

Sorry special or mainstream?

I put down the mainstream DS would be attending

Is that wrong? I did not put down the SS school as DS would need to be assessed before placement is offered.

The special school is an independent school as well. So that is another battle.

If you want to get a placement in a special school, you need to name that school on receipt of the proposed statement. If you name the local mainstream school, that's what they'll give you because there is a strong leaning in the legislation for mainstream education. In fact, the legislation goes as far to say that unless a parent asks for special school or it would harm the education of other children to place the child in mainstream school, the LA must place in mainstream.

I am confused how far you are along the statement process.

Are you waiting for agreement to statutory assess or are you waiting to see if a statement will be issued?

To ensure a school place I think you have to put a mainstream school down for the moment but as soon as you get a draft statement in your hand you can ask for special if that is what you think your son needs. Even with a statement this is not automatic if they feel your sons can be met adequately in mainstream (as this is cheaper for them).

You will then have to demonstrate that mainstream is not suitable for your son (lots of advice on IPSEA) rather than the special school being better.

If the special school you want is independent then the battle will be even harder as you will have to show that neither mainstream nor state special schools in the area are suitable.

Perhaps write a list of what you think your son needs and then work out in what ways the mainstream school can not meet this - small class sizes for example. Do visit the mainstream school and speak to the SENCO asking questions for what areas you are concerned about. This may either reassure you or give you the ammunition with which to fight your son's case.

Oh sorry about the confusion, I would be waiting to see if I would be issued with a statement.

My son has already got a placement at a mainstream school.

But the special school I went to said that my DS needs to be assessed before I should put his placement down at the school. My DS would be assessed next year. This is so confusing.

PolterGoose I think I am getting it mixed up.

I have requested a statement to my council. Waiting for a reply.

The assessment at the school determines if my DS would be offered a place.

My question is really. Is there any point putting the name of the special school now? most probably this would be taken to the tribunal because the ss is independent, and after all that to get the LA to say yes. But once my DS gets assessed at the SS and they say no that they cannot accommodate his needs. The what happens?

Also, they are quite a few ASD units in our LA. So this would be a battle indeed

Right, if you have simply asked the council for a statement, you are in the early stages. They have 6 weeks from the date of your request to decide whether to carry out a statutory assessment of your child's needs. If they decide to do so, they have 10 weeks to do the assessment. At the end of that period, if they decide to issue a statement they must provide a draft to you within 2 weeks, and at that point they will consult you about which school you want. They have 8 weeks to finalise the statement. If they refuse to assess, or to issue a statement you may have to appeal to the tribunal. You also have a right of appeal against the final statement, including the school place. So realistically it will be at least 20 weeks before you have a statement.

The process may be further complicated by virtue of the fact that the law changes in September so that there will be Education Health and Care Plans instead of statements. That's a slightly quicker process, but whether you get a statement or EHC plan depends on how far you are along you are at that point.

The bottom line is that your child will almost inevitably be starting at the mainstream school in September and the issue of a special school won't come up unless and until the council decides to issue a statement/EHC Plan.

I suggest you phone SOS SEN or IPSEA for further advice.