Transition to Secondary

[KisstheTeapot14]

We have the Annual Review Meeting/Transition Meeting in a few weeks' time.

What can we expect to happen? We have a 2 hour slot but I want an idea of the format. We have organised it so we could send an agenda with times on to stop pointless waffle.

Provision for needs has been at home since March.

We have written up what we are doing with DS. So maybe 30 mins to discuss progress on objectives - we are not seeking amendments as all still relevant.

We will ask for a school which is mainstream but has enhanced provision (small classes and trained SEN staff). Do we need any evidence from any professionals to back that up?

Do we just spend an hour and a half explaining why mainstream is not an option and the other school is?

Will have SENCO from the proposed school at the meeting.

Any tips from people who have already been through this process?

This is what should happen in the AR process. (The meeting is only one part of the process)

www.ipsea.org.uk/the-annual-review-process

www.ipsea.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=af64e2ac-1af7-4f83-aa27-d759059e7814

As it's a phase transfer, the LA legally have to finalise the EHC Plan at the latest by 15th February next year, naming the secondary school. (SEND Regulation 18).

You need to make sure they stick to this as this allows to appeal in good time, if necessary.

www.ipsea.org.uk/annual-reviews-in-advance-of-a-transfer-between-phases-of-education

Thanks Ellie, I know the legal stuff or where to find it.

Its just how to manage the meeting itself. Since we have arranged the virtual meeting I think I will make an agenda with times and say we can discuss objectives and meeting of for half an hour (due to LA faffing we have only had Final since May) then move on to the more crucial subject of appropriate secondary.

I just wonder if they will argue the toss about Enhanced Provision(6 miles away so will cost them transport as well).

EP report of 2019 just says 1:1 and school won't pay for another report where she might have said small class/specialist teachers for a secondary.

So we have no actual evidence to base provisions on for the transition. Apart from his large list of needs of course.

I will just have to keep waving the 30 page EHCP at them if they suggest the normal mainstream which is very close by. The SENco there said they can meet needs but I think its a set up to fail situation. Frankly, he will not be setting foot in there.

How come you are arranging the AR meeting? This is the LA's responsibility and while it is common to delegate to the school I've never heard of them delegating to parents.

They may well argue the toss about the Enhanced Provision and if the mainstream school is saying they can meet needs, and they are cheaper, you may have a fight on your hands.

Is Section F in your plan detailed and specific? How much 1:1 is specified?

Section F is really detailed and specific. We spent a whole year negotiating terms!

1:1 all mornings, specific adult not class TA for support as child indicates a need in afternoon (max 1:2).

Primary says adult support only way child can access lesson on most occasions.

This doesn't shout 'child probably OK chucked into a mainstream' does it?

That's before we start on all the specific needs we have listed...phys/cognitive/communication all fully detailed.

Fewer social emotional needs due to other stuff (like continence) being properly provisioned. Couple of years young for age and paed has written to say child vulnerable to bullying as socially naive .

We are arranging as temporary EHE over winter to avoid covid as we have family health issues.

School still attending as they are happy with our decision, we discussed it a lot with them at end of summer term.

School attending our meeting I mean, Got SENCOs from current and the school we want coming to meeting.

Can't get EP as I am told they won't comment on prospective settings (?) and someone would have to pay her to be there - i.e school. School can't afford to pay her to be there.

The EP may not comment on specific settings, but it would not be unreasonable to expect them to advise what extra support would need to be put in for a smooth transition.

It may vary from LA to LA but if your choice of school is agreed then LA is not responsible for transport to get them there and back. You may want to check the position on this with your LA.

Also, are you Electively home educating as in childs name removed from school role? If so, then you have effectively removed the responsibility to provide an education from the LA.

If choice is only one which meets needs then transport has to be provided. SENCO at school advised us.

Yes EHE and we know that. The responsibility is ours whilst we are doing this, but the EHCP remains in place albeit without funds attached. The LA is still responsible to hold/attend AR and transition meetings.

The Senco is not strictly right. It's a parents responsibility to get their child to and from school. The argument here is which school will be to meet needs. You have your preference but if the LA preference also say they can meet needs as well, this is where the battle starts. If both schools can meet needs, and LA agrees to name your choice then you may have to cover transport.

The LA is responsible to hold the review, but they will would normally set the agenda. They also need to collate the documents 2 weeks before the meeting date so you should see it then. You need to request that they also invite the senco to the meeting.

The LA SEN case worker is a chocolate teapot who is on A/L for the whole 2 weeks before the meeting. She didn't tell us this - could not get her by email or phone so rang the office who informed us.

We have organised the meeting, will set agenda and have circulated the 6 documents needed to read. She will have a lot of reading to do on the day of the reading.

*Meeting

It was the same with the EHCP. We basically wrote it as case worker was so incompetent.