Confused.

[Harleyisme]

I have aittle boy currently undiagnosed but awaiting panel for autism.
Hes in reception class.
We had a meeting this week. It started out with how brilliant he's doing. How hes making some progress how he may not catch up but at least make the gap a little smaller between him and the rest of his class. How hes extremely social making friends plating with other children. That they have no concerns at all with social.
Then they said when they came back after christmas which was last Monday that they had uped his support and put him in a social intervention group to help him make friends, learn how to take turns and share and learn social skills. They also said that the local sen schools specilast teachers are coming into advise them on my ds and that he will then also be put on a iep as hes been working on currenlty the targets the specialist teachers set last may in nursery and the targets the EP had set last january 2018. Which he hasn't met any of these targets yet.
Also hes in nappies we are waiting for bowel and bladder team to take him for help with this. I send him in to school hes fine but sore by the end of most days. The school said at first they weren't allowed to put cream on him but have since told me they are waiting to hear what the nursery team say. I asked that if they aren't allowed to put cream on does that then mean they can't meet his toileting needs she said yes.

Now i am so confused as if hes doing so good then why are they suddenly stepping up his support adding him to special groups and asking for more external input. Also what would happen if they can't put cream on and then can't meet his nappy needs?

Anyone?

Who was the meeting with? It sounds like they’ve not been particularly clear but it may be that although he’s social and playing with other children that it’s not quite age appropriate and that they feel he still needs support in this area? If that’s the case then it’s great they are being proactive about it and I’m sure the specialist teacher visit will be useful. I would email the SENDco and ask her to clarify for you, I’m sure they won’t mind.

In my experience, school often try to sound positive, thinking that it is always best to focus on positives (progress he has made etc). As long as they keep you updated on his actual progress and are supportive in getting a diagnosis and extra support (they may be more negative when specifying difficulties for an EHCP for example).

They should be able to put on cream, but it may need a medicine sheet and a witness each time it is applied, this depends on their specific policies on intimate care. You may have to involve the school nurse and draw up a care plan to support toileting - who accompanies him, how it is recorded....etc. It is not acceptable to say they can't support his toileting needs- but they may have to adhere to particular policies (safeguarding being the main one) - a plan needs to be made which fulfil their policies and supports your son fully.

ERIC and Bowel and Bladder UK have good information on toileting support in schools, so maybe check their websites.

The meeting was with senco. I did ask for clarification but wad just told hes doing ok. She did say they are watching him this term and will refer to other services if things don't improve.
I haven't been told exactly what progress hes made just that hes made a little progress i know there tracking has been done since a few weeks after they started in September.

Schools policy doesnt cover anything like putting cream on. School nurse said that it what school policy is and if they say they can't do it theres nothing she can do. School wanted a doctor to proscribe it but doctors can't since new changes to prescriptions. School want me to apply in morning and after school but hes not sore before going in and even applying a barrier cream in the morning isnt helping.

The school does have a duty to make reasonable adjustments which includes dealing with your child's toileting needs. It might be helpful if your doctor - or indeed someone like the practice nurse = would write something saying that cream needs to be used every time a nappy is changed, and that if it isn't it is potentially harmful to your child.