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Original poster

Withdrawing a child from special school

15 replies

LEAIssues · 01/10/2015 14:11

School has caused ds huge anxieties so much that he displayed distressed behaviours and aggression.

I would like to withdraw him from the special school but Social Services (one) have indicated that they would be opposed to it as it would cause great stress to my dh, myself and my dd. SW indicated that she would advise the SENO to oppose it as I would need their permission to withdraw from special school. I have indicated that it would not be a long term solution, just till we find a suitable place for ds.

What are my rights?

TIA

OP posts:
c4kedout · 01/10/2015 15:48

you can easily withdraw a child from mainstream but if you want to withdraw from a special school you need the permission of the LA (I guess this is the educational department, not the SW as social services don't have anything to do with the educational side of things).

no idea if you statement will cease though if you withdraw you DC.

2boysnamedR · 01/10/2015 16:42

No idea but can you phone ipsea or Sossen? I get the vibe that a parent has full choice of MS as to not offer it is not treating SEN kids equally?

Ie I have to out down a MS school for reception as if I don't it looks bad for the LA.

IfIseeonemoreepisodeofpeppapig · 01/10/2015 17:02

I'm so sorry to hear about your DS LEAIssues, is it an Independent special school or a LA maintained one...I'm asking as I'm sure you can just withdraw your child if it's an independent school...hmmm I need to double check. Hold on.

Nigel1 · 01/10/2015 17:06

I think the first thing to ask is;

  1. What exactly are the anxieties at school?
  2. Is there a school-based set of anxieties and a different set of anxieties at home
  3. What has the school done to address those anxieties does it accept that they are causing the anxieties?
  4. What additional resources have the school drawn on to support you and the child?
  5. Does the school accept that it is not meeting the child's needs as manifested by the chidls behaviour?
  1. If having reviewed all that I would suggest getting your GP to make an urgent appointment with CAMHS to get a clinician to agree that the child's level of stress is very high and he needs respite from school and to get the clinical psych to sign him off from school. The GP may be prepared to help in the first instance.
  1. That would give you access into the Education Other Than at School service which could then support getting him back into school or into a new setting. I would strongly advise not entering into a period of home education on the grounds that anything that happens once he is being home educated will be your fault and the local authority will wash their hands of it and you.
  1. This is nothing to do with the social worker unless there is a care order on the child. The social worker can have a little impact on the overall procedure. You may wish to ask the social worker that whilst you would agree that there would be great stress on your husband and you/the rest of the family you may wish to point out that that stress is caused by the failure of the school to support the child appropriately and so if you are looking to address root cause is start at the school. You should also ask what actual support are you going to give to support us in the circumstances which you recognise as being very difficult?

Hope this is of help

LEAIssues · 01/10/2015 17:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
LEAIssues · 01/10/2015 19:39

Had my previous reply withdrawn as i felt there were too many identifying details.

Thanks for the replies. It is a state special school. IPSEA and SOS!SEN are difficult to get through but I will read their sites for info.

Nigel1 lots to think about there. Thanks. Will see GP soon.

If there is a difference of opinion, whose counts more -psychologist or psychiatrist?

OP posts:
NoHaudinMaWheest · 01/10/2015 19:58

It should be whoever knows the child best. However as doctors, psychiatrists tend to have the most kudos and will usually be seen as the lead professional.

Who is asking for the opinion? LA or SW?

Original poster
LEAIssues · 02/10/2015 04:40

LA and SW like the psychiatrist's opinion.

Would an independent psychiatrist report help?

OP posts:
OneInEight · 02/10/2015 05:56

I would suggested going via the route of an emergency annual review (you can request this at anytime) and stating either the school is not fulfilling the existing statement or that the statement needs rewriting citing as evidence the anxiety and aggression. At this stage you can request a change of placement to home education if this is the only setting that can meet needs. I think I would do it this way to leave the door open if you want him to go back to a different school in the future (with appropriate support) and it also shows a willingness to work with the professionals. My ds is in an indie SS but the LA SEN team has helped us when we have had to raise issues regarding support even if it has upset the school that we have gone this route. My argument against the medication is that a child should not be medicated to compensate for an unsuitable school placement. It worked for us anyway.

Original poster
LEAIssues · 02/10/2015 11:51

Thanks OneInEight.

We have called an Emergency Review.

Although evidence of calming down since non-attendance, psychiatrist think it is not enough and that he should go back and medicate him to tolerate the situation. Good point about not medicating to compensate for unsuitable placement - I shall be bringing it up.

OP posts:
JsOtherHalf · 03/10/2015 12:05

Have you seen the NICE guidelines for children re medication? Not sure if your DC is autistic, or has other issues.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg170/resources/guidance-autism-pdf

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg16/chapter/guidance

www.specialneedsjungle.com/nice-guidelines-for-treatment-of-autism-in-children-and-young-people-published/

JsOtherHalf · 03/10/2015 12:11

Last guidelines state :
Rationale

The first-line intervention for behaviour that challenges should be appropriate psychosocial interventions or interventions to address any identified triggers for that behaviour. In some cases psychosocial or other interventions are not sufficient on their own, or they cannot be delivered because of the severity of the behaviour. In this situation a paediatrician or psychiatrist, working with the person with autism and their family and carers, might consider starting a trial of antipsychotic medication in an attempt to manage the behaviour that challenges. The professional should continue to monitor any subsequent use of antipsychotic medication.

Original poster
LEAIssues · 03/10/2015 12:16

Thank you so much JsOtherHalf. Very useful. Yes ds has ASD.

The keep going on about how homes-schooling would cause so much stress- no! It is their threats and actions that is causing stress.

How much notice must practitioners pay to NICE guidelines?

OP posts:
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