Year 2 exclusion

[Legoandbarefeet]

Hi, my son is 7 and year 2 primary. He has no diagnosis but the school are pushing for an ASD diagnosis. I have an elder son (21) who has ASD ADD ODD. His ‘schooling’ was awful with him ending up in PRU at aged 7. In pretty sure my son (7) had ADHD but not sure about ASD. Anyway I’ve just been rung by the school receptionist to inform me I need to collect my child now due to ‘issues’ with his behaviour. They’ve said he cannot go in tomorrow. I’ve said he shall go to school tomorrow unless they do a fixed term exclusion. It’s been years since I’ve been in this situation snd it feels like history is repeating itself. I wofk full time and am a single parent with absolutely no support. My 18 year old NT daughter usually helps with wrap around child care. Can anyone sign post me to get some advice. I’m just sitting here crying as I can’t do this again

Does DS2 have an EHCP? If not, you can apply for one yourself. IPSEA have a model letter you can use. They, and SOSSEN have lots of useful information on their websites.

You are right not to pick DS2 up unless you are given formal exclusion paperwork. Otherwise sending DS home is an illegal exclusion.

Make sure to follow up phone conversations with emails. That way you have a paper trail if you need it.

@Legoandbarefeet

I agree; absolutely refuse to pick up and keep him off school unless they are excluding formally and giving you all the relevant paperwork. Information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/pages/category/exclusion-from-school

Also link to Exclusion Guidelines:
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/641418/20170831_Exclusion_Stat_guidance_Web_version.pdf

Note in particular on page 6:

“The decision to exclude a pupil must be lawful, reasonable and fair. Schools have a statutory duty not to discriminate against pupils on the basis of protected characteristics, such as disability or race. Schools should give particular consideration to the fair treatment of pupils from groups who are vulnerable to exclusion.

Disruptive behaviour can be an indication of unmet needs. Where a school has concerns about a pupil’s behaviour, it should try to identify whether there are any causal factors and intervene early in order to reduce the need for a subsequent exclusion.”

And as PP says if you feel your son's needs are not being met and he does not have an EHCP, make a request for an EHC Needs assessment yourself, citing the difficulties and the exclusions which show school is unable to meet needs.

Link and model letter here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

Thank you for your comments. He currently does not have an EHCP. 3 weeks ago when I spoke to the school they were Adamant they could meet his needs. Now all of a sudden they can’t? I just feel so frustrated I’m back in this situation again which is not his fault. I guess I’ll dust off the armour and start fighting the LEA again. X

@Legoandbarefeet

You can do this. Make the request for the EHCNA now and come back if you need any more help or advice.

IPSEA and SOS!SEN also have helplines where you can make an appointment to speak to someone.

www.ipsea.org.uk/advice-line

sossen.org.uk/

Submitting a SAR to the school may be enlightening.

When the school originally told you they could meet DS' needs what they probably meant was DS isn't disrupting the class therefore it's easy for us to pretend everything is OK to get mum to be quiet and go away.

Stick to your our guns OP.

@10brokengreenbottles What is a SAR?

Silver A SAR is a subject access request.

Sounds v familiar. Everything is fine yadda yadda and then all.of a sudden there is a swing turn based usually on a few incidents. We had one in oct and again last week for DS who is repeating reception with asc, adhd suspected, spd etc. Challenging behaviour usually prompts a call home but have none of it. DS has an ehcp with fulltime funding qnd they still try to get me to collect every now and then. Talk of a reduced timetable recently, headed off by my asking how to claim back the funded hours if he is not there half the time...if it makes you feel any better, we have been fighting la for a special school place and finally got one fingers crossed for Sept. Now feels like we are fighting the school again onstead!

Sorry you are going through this - exhausting and heartbreaking. I was going to share the ipsea links but others have - they are well, well worth looking at. The only slight plus side is that I’m trying to exclude they are showing they can’t meet his need which will help evidence the EHCP. Hang on in there and we’ll done for knowing this isn’t right and fighting his corner (not that you should have to).

In trying to exclude - not I’m!