What should I do now? - Change DS on school toilet floor? (Long)

[Nat1H]

Have been having a battle with LEA. Ds2 starts mainstream school in September - a year later than he should. LEA have known about him for 2 years(since he got a Statement). School applied last September for an extension to house a toilet and changing facility for DS. (He is still in nappies). This was refused with no reason being given.
LEA initially suggested that if DS soils his nappy, school should ring me, I collect him, take him home, change his nappy and return him to school. They passed the buck (for months) until I contacted Scope and a lovely lady wrote all the legal stuff down for me to put in my snotty letter. I also contacted our local MP who is on the case.
The head of SEN is coming to the school next wednesday with a surveyor to see what can be done. She has also suggested that DS attends a different school with existing facilites. This is NOT happening!
I am fully expecting them telling me that DS has to be changed on the girls toilet floor until an extension is built. This was mentioned by the inclusion service a couple of weeks ago. I have asked that a portacabin with appropriate facilities is put in the school grounds as a temporary solution. This has been rebuffed as it is too expensive!
What do I do? I do not want my DS to be changed on a toilet floor, and the school are dead against it as well. Any other suggestions would be great.
Thanks for taking the time to read this
Nat

sorry can't advise as never been in this position. but have seen you post this before so didn't waant you to feel unloved
no way should you have to change her on the floor. do they have a nurses room?

That's appalling Nat1H! No, the loo floor is not appropriate nor should you have to take him home each time. Surely as 2shoes suggests there is a nurses/first aid room or similar space which could be used. What facilities do the staff have?!

This is shite, I'm so sorry that you are having to go through this. I agree with 2shoes, toilet floor is unacceptable and there must be an office or empty room somewhere - the head's office perhaps?!

Unfortunately, the school is tiny - only 36 children in the whole school. There is no spare space anywhere - the girls toilet is the only room with a big enough floor space to change him. That is why an extension is needed. Thanks for answering - nice to know people are out there!!

Hard to know how you stand legally- I think that depends partly on what your problems are with the other school, the one that does have the facilities. Can you prove that that is unsuitable for your ds in other ways related to his condition? That this school is particularly suited otherwise to cater for him.

This might be a good time to marshal your arguments against the next debate on the subject as the LEA will no doubt want to save money by using existing facilities. The law says that the school are obliged to make reasonable adjustments but that they can argue that a solution involving great expense is not reasonable if there is another, more practical solution. So be prepared to have to prove why this cheaper solution is not a solution. (says she who has just won a disability appeal against her LEA)

Making you use a toilet floor as a changing station is clearly unlawful anyway, as it would involve hygienic risks and humilitation which are not meted out to your ds's non-disabled peers= discrimination.

Would there be any way of putting a changing station in girls toilet and putting a high up lock on main toilet door so they could lock toilet when ds being changed? That might be a mad idea I'm not sure? I thought you're portacabin idea was a good short term solution.

My DD is changed on the floor in the toilets. I 99.9% sure that it is a seperate, solitary toilet tbh, but they have a large changing mat on the floor near the actual toilet.

Do they have room in staff toilets to section a bit off for him? A nice changing mat on the floor and the area on the wall at floor level decorated with pictures?

At the unit that Ds2 used to attend, they didn't have a separate changing facility near to the unit. Eventually they converted a large stationary cupboard by putting in a sink and changing area. I honestly can't remember if there was a toilet or not , although there were definitely toilets close to hand. It was a bit small but at least private and designated area where nappies, gloves, bags etc could be left and everything to hand.

Cory - I have already stated the reasons why DS2 would not be able to attend the alternative school that was suggested - and they seemed to take that on board. The reason i chose this school is because it is so small, and Ds will be able to cope there. It's either this school or a special school (none of which I think are suitable in my are anyway!)

I had to provide a mat so ds3 could be changed onthe toulet floor

not acceptable though

It is possible to hire an accessible portaloo thing (of the kind you find at festivals) with space for a changing bench. Can't remember the site though but they do exist. Wonder if they could do something like that?

Can't believe children are being changed on the floor at all - totally unacceptable for child and for changers - manual handling etc.

Have had a meeting with the head of SEN service and a surveyor and they have decided to build an extension with a proper disabled toilet and changing area in it. In the meantime (as it's needed for september), they will put a portacabin in with appropriate facilities!
RESULT!! All the fighting was worth it!

at my childs special school, they change the children standing up. God knows how, but it must be possible

oh and WELL DONE

WELL DONE! That is fantastic!

Hi Nat,

It's ME, can't believe i've not been there to help in this, all i a can say is a million thanks.

Hubby been off again past 3 months awaiting surgery , been tied up visiting shitty consultant at walton nero , ended up in melt down , walked out on rude doctor on friday. He wasn't a happy bunny and neither was i.
Fed up with these people talking to me like i some kind of stupid / hysterical woman.

Anyhow, guess what after 9 months health visitor has given me number (again) of incontenience nurse. She said they would supply her pads. Won't hold my breath . Bet they make me wait til August when she's 4.

Must catch up wanted to know how come they allow teaching staff to change our little ones, but they are not allowed to help dress and up dress , put sun cream on , take to toilet, other kids? will be asking question this week.

Presume your ds is getting one to one.
I'm on a mission with ed authority, remark last week in review meeting that my dd will probably not meet state, criteria , and you'll guess who that came from. She didn't even have her file with her , and asked me what funding she gets now!

I have been telling them for months that if dirty she cannot be changed standing up, and after speaking to head a few months ago she did mention toilet faclities had been knocked back.

Really sorry haven't been more of a help, many thanks again, catch up with you soon

Helen

Hi Helen

Can't believe we live about 10 doors away and have to converse on here!
I would write a stinking letter to head of LEA if I were you. Name you know who personally and complain about her remarks - that should shut her up in the future! She made a couple of remarks to me too - which, of course, I put her right on, and then wrote a very strong letter to head of SEN service.
Get Rosie Cooper (MP) involved as well - she's great!

Good luck - if you need any help you know where I am!
Nat