How do I get my DS into a special school?

[avalina]

He’s autistic, has an EHCP and 30 hours 1-to-1 per week at school, so has a fulltime TA assigned to him.

He manages okay at school, although he’s very much ‘not part of the class’ and just does his own thing with his TA (often goes outside the class with his TA as he follows his own work schedule as he doesn’t usually understand what the class are doing). He doesn’t have friends but this doesn’t bother him.

We have looked round special schools in the area and they would 100% be perfect for him. I’ve requested he be moved at annual reviews but it always comes back that his current school meets his needs.

I havent stressed too much because he’s generally happy but he’s going into year 5 in September and I’m absolutely terrified at the prospect of secondary school for him. His speech, language, interests, academic ability etc are like an EYFS or year 1 child. He constantly flaps and makes high pitched noises. The thought of him being in the local secondary fills me with dread.

He has his annual review coming up shortly and I want to express his need to be in a special placement before secondary. However I’m not sure how.. nobody really gives me any advice or information on how the system or what I’m supposed to do.

any advice here would really be appreciated!

I would argue that he does not have a suitable peer group if he is isolated from the class; I think this is important. i know this suits some children but for me, this isn’t really inclusion.

When was he last assessed by an Ed psych? Are you in a position to get a private assessment? Alternatively you could ask for a reassessment of needs.

Do beware though as SS are not a magic bullet for all children. There are fewer children in the class but these kids can be louder and more boisterous, as can others around the school. They do not typically have 1:1 support in SS and dc are expected to be in the classroom more. This is my personal experience anyway.

The school named in section I is the logical conclusion of B&F. And is based on evidence. So, start by looking at B&F. Are they accurate? Does B include all special educational needs? Does F include provision all needs? Is it detailed, specified and quantified? What is your evidence like? You may have to appeal, but DS isn’t currently receiving an appropriate education if he is outside the classroom with the TA most of the time.

Do you have a school in mind? Is it wholly independent or not (the rules around naming wholly independent schools are different)?

LAs and some schools will often tell parents 1:1 isn’t given in SS, but it can be if it is reasonably required. It would need to be in F and could then be enforced.

I think he saw an educational psychologist in reception. Although they never really explained why this is done? This is the problem I’m finding, I just don’t understand a lot of these things and nobody explain anything to me :( its very overwhelming.

I agree SS aren’t perfect but the locals ones seem like they would suit his needs and just such a better alternative to the local comp 😩

Thanks for your reply, what is b & f please?

Yes the school in mind is the nearest special school, not independent

Section B (the section detailing special educational needs) and section F (the section for specifically educational provision) of the EHCP.

Was the ed psych assessment in reception part of the EHCNA process? Has DS ever had SALT and OT assessments and is there ongoing provision for SALT and OT in the EHCP?

Reading IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites will help you understand EHCPs and the process better.

At this stage why not home education?

EHE means you relieve the LA of their duty to provide the provision in the EHCP. The vast majority of parents cannot afford to fund the provision, including therapies, an EHCP can.

@StrivingForSleep honestly I have no idea. All of this is like a foreign language to me, thank you for the links I will check out the websites to try and understand better. Do they still have an EHCP at a special school?

@GravyDenier I would only consider as a last resort. I’m not a qualified teacher or trained in any way, I would have no idea what I was doing and don’t think I could provide a decent education for DS. I also work whilst he’s at school so finances would make it tricky.

Yes DC still have an EHCP if they move to a special school.

Put simply: Gather evidence. Our DS is in year 6 at a very supportive mainstream primary and they flagged with us in Year 4 that mainstream secondary wouldn't be appropriate for DS. Over an 18 month period we got reports from the school, LEA school inclusion partner, SALT and OT (both private reports - we used DLA to pay for these) and DS also had a diagnosis for ADHD (in addition to the ASD diagnosis he received at age 3.) All of the experts were of the view that DS needed specialist provision so we basically sent everything to our LEA and also made it very clear where they had failed DS in the past and flagged that we would take them to tribunal if they failed to give DS a place. It took us 18 months but DS has been offered a place in SEND provision for Year 7.

I won't lie, it's been an exhausting process. But basically you have to ensure the LEA have absolutely no wiggle room whatsoever...

My son is in year 10 had many struggles in school he's got his EHCP
he had a SALT (speech and language therapy) report done also seen the EP (educational psychologist) these were initially done in yr 7 she said it needed to be reviewed in yr 10
she done her report because he wasn't coping in normal classrooms refusing to go into school long story short he has 1-1 outside of classrooms now and wont engage with ta so i asked and asked for the EP to review him as his mental health really went down hill he broke his hand in school by punching the wall he was very closely getting to exclusion and I was basically begging for the teachers to get him reviewed they were saying to me the EP won't be able to do anything she won't be able to help him Anyway I seen her by off chance in school reception while I was having a meeting for my sons behavior and told her everything the next day she seen my son and put down that they school had failed my son they cannot meet his needs and that he needs a specialist school setting
so just keep fighting
you no what is right for your child so my EP has helped me tremendously I tried to keep it short but I no it's long but I hope it helps x

I suspect part of the problem is that they are fobbing you off because there's no space in the special school. It's not right, but if he's reasonably happy where he is you may be better focusing on his moving in year 7 as that's a natural transition point and making sure you have up to date assessments then. If he is working at a EYFS/year 1 level and the EHCP is accurate then no mainstream secondary will be suitable on that basis alone.

Thanks @Justploddingonandon

what do you mean by regular assessments?

If I could guarantee he will go to a special school in year 7 I would relax but I get so worried. Is it best to try and push for it at this point?

I would make sure you ask for him to be reassessed by an educational psychologist prior to looking for high schools, and possibly by an OT and SaLT as well.

Personally, if you think SS is required, I would pursue it now, and appeal following the AR if necessary.

The LA may say there’s no space, but on its own, refusing to name a school because a non-wholly independent school is ‘full’ is not a lawful excuse.

He has his annual review coming up soon. Shall I ask then?

Sorry about all the questions!