Education psychologist home visit.

[Dandani]

I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me what happens in one of these visits? I'd just like to be prepared. It's a home visit as my son can't attend school without a 1 to 1 so he's been off school. He's supposed to be in reception year.

I can tell you what happened during our visit....

Very helpful, friendly psychologist came. Asked me a few questions without ds present, how I feel he's doing, what I think his needs are, what his behaviours are etc, very informal but he was taking notes

He then asked to see ds who entertained the idea of questions for maybe 5 minutes (he was 5 at the time). Edpsych asked ds to write his name, read some cvc words, write some numbers, do some simple maths-7+2 etc

Ds was getting distressed by it all so edpsych stopped and then asked me some more

Was more of a informal chat really rather than a medical/mental appointment. He asked if I'd like a copy of his final report, I said yes, that was that. Over in maybe 45 minutes ish

Hope things go well for you

And fwiw I don't know your circumstances obviously but by law your ds is entitled to a full time education. Bear that in mind while the school lets you keep him home. Regardless of whether it's your decision education should be available to him

Feel free to pm me

Thank you that's put my mind at ease for his appointment 🙂 it's all so complicated. I've moved from Scotland where they don't have the EHCP process and it wasn't difficult to get him the help he needs. He actually has a school placement but he can't attend it as the school don't have the means to provide him with a 1 to 1. He's a flight risk and non verbal so he needs a 1 to 1 even at break and lunch time, so I've had no choice really but to not send him. I feel terrible about it too because he was doing so well at his previous school

Is it a mainstream school or a specialist school?

Mainstream, he was in mainstream before and I looked at the special needs schools websites and they said you need an EHCP to join them

As pp said the LA had a legal duty to provide your son with full time education. Information here:
www.ipsea.org.uk/getting-temporary-education-put-in-place

Also look into mainstream and specialist schools in your area. Once my son had his EHCP the mainstream school he was at said they couldn't meet his needs and he had to go to a specialist school (best decision ever made in hindsight) but I was devastated at the time. No other local mainstream schools would take him either.

I have to say he's a different child compared to how he was 12/18 months ago. Even 6 months ago. So keep an open mind.

Also I don't know if it would be an option but my ds couldn't cope for a while while in mainstream and while awaiting the EHCP results, county paid for some home tutoring (was absolutely useless and 5 hours a week, but in a crisis you try anything-might work ok for your dc), once we saw that wasn't working it was agreed they would pay for him to attend a SEN private nursery until his specialist school was ready (was being built/other site was full).

My point being, your dc is missing out on an education and he is perfectly entitled to one in the term after his 5th birthday (your dc could still be 4). If you want him in school/education setting you may have to fight for one in the time being but bear in mind he is entitled to one and regardless of what LA tell you, it is the law