Best place for advice on primary responsibility re SEN

[BigmouseLittlehouse]

Hi everyone

I was wondering if someone could sign post me in the direction of the best place I can read up on the school’s responsibility re children with SEN.

I posted before about my 7 year old DS with suspected ADHD. He is under an Ed psychologist and had two in school assessments carried out privately - all 3 of whom believe he has ADHD which is impacting his school life ( both learning and social skills).

School was difficult but at the end of last term SENCO agreed a plan based on the recommendations. I don’t feel she really believes DS is anything other than naughty though ( lots of comments like ‘I can see from his face he is doing this deliberately ). SENCO also prevented class teacher from taking to me and directly contradicted teachers assessment of DS behaviour to underplay it. School filled out a Connors as Ed Psych was doing an informal ‘see how he scores’ look - ed Psych and specialists believe school deliberately underplayed on the Connors.

Anyway start of new term. New teacher who I think is trying her best but none of the adjustments appear to be in place. The approach to DS now seems to be that he makes the ‘good’ decision to go and work on his own in SENCO office most afternoons. Similarly there is a problem with behaviour in playground ( all the kids) - including targeting of DS encouraging him to get into trouble. Solution is DS makes the ‘good’ decision to spend half his break inside with the teacher ( his behaviour is very low level naughty - it isn’t attacking other kids or anything like that. In class it is shouting out as he becomes He is usually fine in the mornings generally, this usually happens some time in the afternoon when the lessons are more free flow (they don’t have afternoon play now which I think doesn’t help).

I guess I feel rather than attempting in anyway to help him the school’s approach is simply to remove him? I don’t know if this is an ok approach? His previous teacher had been handling him in class by using some TA support, with occasional breaks outside class. He is now in a class with no space for him to go to a quiet place and his year have the lowest level of TA support who is supporting new children.

I guess I just wonder if this is OK or whether there is any obligation on the school to try and help him so he can stay in class? My fear is long term he spends more and more time out of class.

Just been searching old threads as have seen similar - Yes they are obliged to put in help and support. They have 6k of their nominal budget to do this. And they can often ask for top up via the local authority though this can take time.

Posters mentioned:

What's their reintegration plan? How is this inclusive? How are they tackling the issues with the social aspects of his day?

They are what you should be asking the school, and you should do it in writing. Ask for urgent meeting with Head and teacher. Unless you are very firm they will continue with this - which is not appropriate, as it is not helping him and supporting him to overcome difficulties.

If his needs aren't being met in school, the solution is to work out what support he needs an ensure it is in place.

Yes schools are struggling with under-funding but the solution is not this.

Then ask the school to apply for whatever high needs funding they feel they may need to meet his needs while attending full time, as is his right. This should be applied for immediately and the support put in place.

Don't allow the LA and the school to let your DS down. Keep a paertrail - any meetings email them after with 'Just to confirm that you agreed xyz'

Thanks so much @KisstheTeapot14. I have a meeting with the teacher and head next week so this is really helpful guidance