Mainstream to special school, advice desperately needed!

[Dad101]

To set the scene, after starting in a MS reception last September and despite having a robust EHCP in place and a full time 1:1, DS is struggling.

He has a DX of ASD, some language too but really only to request things or name objects. We hoped an inclusive mainstream school that we knew well would suit him but in short, after ongoing chats with his teacher and 1:1 it's clear that he isn't really accessing the classroom much and is spending 90% of the day wondering round the school with a TA. He's becoming progressively more frustrated and is now nipping and lashing out at his 1:1 (Although largely because he isn't getting his own way and wants to climb and explore everything despite it being dangerous and not understanding that). Yesterday they admitted that he ran out of a room and they lost him completely in the school for a short amount of time! All of this coupled with an ongoing reduced timetable (Totally illegal I know, but that's a topic for another post!) has convinced us that he's not in the right place really. We now know (And have visited) several lovely SS that we think DS would enjoy and be happy to attend

We have a meeting to discuss DS's targets with his existing schools SENCO tomorrow in preparation for his EHCP review and a visit from an educational psychologist on the 4th of March. We thought it might be a good idea to broach the idea of a possible move then with an eye to requesting the school named on his EHCP to be changed during the review meeting in March. Having done plenty of reading up on this it seems as though the best course of action would be to decide which SS we feel is best, cite needs that they can meet that his existing school can't and highlight evidence that his existing school aren't able to meet his needs (Not attending the learning timetable set out/exclusion via the part time timetable/escaping and being 'lost' by staff etc)

Sorry for the epic post, but as many of you I'm sure know this is a deeply stressful time and knowing as we do that many of you have walked the same path this seemed like a good place to seek advice. My questions in essence are...

• Does the plan of action described above seem like a sensible/correct approach to instigating a move from MS to SS. Is there anything that we're missing or should be doing?

*Is it a good idea to broach the subject tomorrow with the SENCO? Should we be 'warning' the EP/LA of our wishes in advance of the review or is it best to simply bring it up on the day?

*Does anyone have any general advice RE moving from MS to SS in terms of how you did it, but also how you found it as an experience?

Thank you in advance to anyone who can help.

Wow. This post could’ve been me 5 years ago.
I spoke with my LA first before notifying my sons school, they backed me up because he level of 1:1 my son has was
high -30 hours.
Your son sounds a lot like mine at 5 re speech, wondering the school.

Look to make the move v quickly. The longer you wait the harder.
Make sure the school you’ve chosen has space and they’re happy for your son to go there- give them a copy of the EHCP.

Get in touch with your local social services, I came late to this resource. Didn’t know it existed but it’s a separate dept specifically for children with additional needs. Ask them for a child in need assessment.

When you speak to the SENCO he then to agree the move to SS also verbally and if they’re against it be prepared to list why re wondering the school.

Google past posts - some are under my user name and very relevant.

I’d be looking to make the move at Easter.
Don’t let them wait till Summer.

Taster days make it slightly easier, pecs and also find out if your son will be getting the bus transport to school. He will be entitled to it.

Moving was the best thing ever. The relief happiness form my son was immense.
We had to move again after a few years because a better provision came up that fitted him perfectly but that’s unusual.
Meet with the SALT at the SS, the OT if they have one and make yourself known to the S school you choose. It makes a difference.

If you’d son is 5 or under you can change his EHCP at 6 month reviews- you don’t have to wait till the annual review.
And you can call this review notifying everyone HT, SENCO, LA of your decision once the SS you’ve chosen has agreed they have space and a start date for your son. If you can get your social services to attend.

I'd ask for the AR date to be brought forward and if possible the EP's visit, citing the fact that your son is becoming stressed out as the school is not meeting his needs.

Make sure the EHC Plan describes your son's needs accurately as this is the time to get it amended if it doesn't. Depending on when the EHC Plan was first issued, you may need to get more up to date reports to assess his current needs and make recommendations, including reports from OT and SALT.

I would also point out that under Section 19 of the 1996 Education Act, your son is entitled to full time education, but is not actually accessing it at his current school, and is also being unlawfully excluded.

@Lesley25, thank you so much!

Sorry for the late response but things have been hectic (You know how it is!) I've actually stumbled across many of your old posts already while trawling through the SN section late at light looking for answers, as you mentioned much of it is very relevant. Anyhow, that was great advice and just what we needed. Genuinely can't thank you enough. We'd never have thought about some of the things that you mentioned and it's lovely to speak to someone who's experienced a similar situation

@Ellie56, thanks for the reply. As per original post the AR date has been brought forward to the 4th of March from the scheduled date which would have been in July. Thank God we don't have to wait until the summer!

The good news is that today's meeting at school went incredibly well. The SENCO and DS's teacher both agree that DS would be better suited to a specialist setting at present so no fight required (With them at least) They have an visit from the EP booked a week prior to the EHCP review, they've mentioned that they have a good relationship with him and will let him know that the school and we as parents would prefer one of our two chosen special schools.

The battle isn't over yet, but things now seem far more favourable when compared with how the landscape looked two days ago when I started this thread.

If the school are on board the EP will be also.
I think it’s time you went back to your 2 chosen schools and see which one would be the best fit- and which one has space.
Start a new thread maybe about choosing between the 2 schools also what to look out for, differences that matter, that sort of thing.
Print those tips out before you go to see them and don’t be afraid of sitting down with the HT at both. Try and do that before the AN. Speak to your LA they usually contact the SS themselves to say you want another visit and a HT meeting. Sometimes an LA rep will accompany you if you choose. Personally, I’d say no to anyone accompanying in case they try and subliminally sway you into what the LA want (some Ss are full so will try and sway you into another choice, simply not true- if you decide on a ss you will have to list out why you don’t want the other one but that’s another thread) . The mumsnet folk on here will tell you exactly the questions you need to ask and what you need to be on the lookout for.
Also ask about possible start dates- but I digress, I’ll put that in your new thread about tips.
That way you’re fixed in your mind which one should be named.
The EP report may not be ready if there’s only a week before they come and the AN so maybe ask the school if they can hurry that along so it is ready and make the EP aware of the date.
The LA won’t fight a move to SS as it sounds like you have the right banding with high support anyway. Just get the school you want.

@Lesley25, thanks again

I've started a new thread in the SN education section RE school choices as suggested...

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/special_needs_education/3806608-Choosing-A-Special-School-For-DS-with-ASD-MLD?watched=1