My SEN son was due to start Reception. I feel crushing amounts of guilt.

[PortUmber]

I had a really difficult week last week, and got some excellent advice here. I am planning to appeal my son’s EHCP.

I really felt that I was doing the right thing. Early help, to push for an EHCP before he starts Reception.

I’d didn’t occur to me that the named schools would reject him - or that would be such a viable option for them.

I know the best thing now is to appeal and fight.

The timings of this mean he may well not be going to school in September.

I feel like I’ve failed him. I should have waited to finalise his EHCP before he lost his mainstream place. I should have ensured that the EHCP was stating the right level of support for him, or the wording was right so schools wouldn’t reject him. But I’m new to this. I didn’t know this could happen! Now I’ve got hindsight I would have played the whole thing very differently. There is very limited funding, and very, very few specialist places with a lot of children wanting them.

And I now don’t know. Does he need a special school? No one has said this to me before, yet now people are indicating to me that he is more needy then I thought.

The SEND leader at his new school (potentially if he is not rejected which is likely) is coming to see him on Weds. I feel like he’ll be assessed to say yes or no.

It’s such a horrible feeling. I’m not getting support from DP, I now feel
his preschool haven’t given me the full picture. I feel every move I make could be the wrong move.

I just want to vent.

You are doing the right thing by appealing. It might be that any mainstream schools that have been approached don’t feel the LA have attached enough, or any, additional funding to his plan to provide the support stated. Or it may be that he does need a specialist setting. I’d recommend you look carefully at all school options yourself and get a feel for what they offer. Don’t rely on the LA. Lodge your appeal ASAP.

I’d didn’t occur to me that the named schools would reject him - or that would be such a viable option for them.

I remember your previous thread. The problem isn’t the named school has rejected DS, which they wouldn’t be able to do. It is that the EHCP has been finalised without a school named in section I.

Unless the school is wholly independent, which doesn’t apply in your case, the LA must name your preferred placement unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
The bar to prove that is high, and if the LA can meet that threshold the can, and must, name the school even if the school objects. Unfortunately, LAs sometimes force parents to appeal.

What do the reports from the needs assessment indicate? You can usually read between the lines to see whether they are suggesting MS or SS.

I should have ensured that the EHCP was stating the right level of support for him, or the wording was right so schools wouldn’t reject him.

Wording B&F inaccurately to ensure a particular setting is named isn’t a good idea. When a child’s needs on paper and in reality are different they don’t get the SEP they require, and this can lead to a child’s needs not being met &/or a placement breaking down.

There is very limited funding, and very, very few specialist places with a lot of children wanting them.

Don’t focus on funding. Focus on ensuring B&F are accurate and watertight, then the provision in F must be provided and can be enforced if necessary. Don’t focus on other DC either.

@ThomasWasTortured

Thank you again!

No one I’ve seen - speech and language, developmental paediatrics, Ed Psych, his preschool have suggested a special school or special unit. It was something I mentioned in a discussion which has been recorded in the EHCP. I asked the Ed Psych if I need to consider one - and the conclusion was mainstream by everyone in the meeting. The wording in the EHCP states that “I’ve considered high coin unit schools’. The reality is I mentioned the name of one school which - unknown to me - is a high coin unit school. I’ve never contacted or visited them.

The school has read the comment though and taken that as a reason to potentially say they can’t meet his needs.

Also there are some phrases about small group sessions to support his language, which the school say they can’t accommodate without more funding.

I’ve just taken DS to the dentist. He knew exactly what to do and was so compliant - smiling and willing. He is so GOOD. He can already read simple books, and count to 100. He just can’t engage in back and forth conversation. I know that’s just my opinion but he is ready for school in so many ways.

Funding isn’t your concern, if it is in the EHCP it must be provided. However, “small group sessions” is far too vague and woolly. It isn’t worth e paper it is written on and isn’t enforceable.

The schools can say they can’t meet needs all they want, but the LA can, and must unless the LA can prove one of the reasons in my pp, still name them.