Sen school not taking ds full time

[XmasCrackPies]

Hi all, after some advice on whether this is normal and I need to just suck it up and be grateful.

Ds started at a sen provision last week. We got the yes 2 days before schools broke up in July. The school is wonderful and so far he loves it but they seem to be very laid back about actually having him in the school. He has started going 3 days a week for a few hours each day. I assumed we would build this up each week to a full timetable but they won't give me a clear answer of when he can attend full time.

I asked to drop him off an hour earlier on friday and they said yes but could then I pick him up an hour early 😂 they have also asked if I can drop him to another site that they work with that provides outdoor sen education but won't give clear answers about the times or even the address of the facility. Its all very laid back.

Its causing me a huge amount of stress as I am a single parent, no parents, siblings or support system to help. I run my own business that I have to be physically present for to earn money so this laid back approach is killing me. I also have other children so really need to get back to work and into a regular routine.

I would be direct and ask for the current plan but that you know it might have to be adjusted. My son got a full transition timetable up front for starting his Sen school and they do it for any new starters regardless of what class they join.

Thank you for the reply.

I have been very direct and got a "we have found that a slow, child-led transition plan works best for our school" type reply. I get that, and in an ideal world I would happily drop everything for ds's needs, but in the real world I need to buy food and petrol.

I wonder if there is some legislation around providing a full week at school for him. The school is not an LA provision though.

It's understandable that there may be a bit of a transition period at the start but this should have been discussed and agreed with you beforehand. It also can't be good for your DS not to know what his routine is.

How old is your DS? If he's of compulsory school age, he may be entitled to transport. Have you applied?

I would really push the school on this and say he needs to be in full-time. Of course no one wants to be 'that' parent but you need clarity on what's going on. I would try and speak to the Head/your DS's class teacher/Senco when you drop him off on Monday or if they're busy ask for a meeting for this week.
If they continue to be evasive, you could send them an email to say: 'I will be dropping DS off at X time for him to commence full time school from Monday' for example.

If all else fails, you can contact the LA. Presumably they're paying for a fulltime placement for your DS and ultimately the delivery and enforcement of his EHCP rests with them.

Ipsea has some info about the law around part-time timetables about halfway down this page:

https://www.ipsea.org.uk/faqs?startat=148

There's only really that a child of compulsory school age should get a full time education but I don't think you ll get anywhere at this stage legally unless it was something that was more medium term so you could question the LA why the funding is being given but not used full-time.
Is it an independent/section 41 Sen school or is it a slightly more alternative provision scenario, be a trickier argument if it's an alternative provision I believe

Does the EHCP detail the transition arrangements?

Is it an independent school or non-maintained special school? If it is not an independent school or NMSS and you want DS to attend full-time, he can, unless the school is formally suspending DS. If you want DS to attend more, be more direct. Tell them, don’t ask. Refusing to allow DS to attend would be an informal, unlawful exclusion. It will help you to read the government’s suspension and permanent exclusion guidance. This is underpinned by various legislation as explained in the guidance. If it is an independent school or NMSS, have a look at their suspension and exclusion guidance. It should comply with the Equality Act.

How old is DS? If he compulsory school age (i.e. he turned 5 before the 1st September), the LA has a duty to ensure he has a suitable full-time education if he cannot attend school full time. Whether DS is CSA or not, the LA also has a duty to provide everything in F of the EHCP.

In terms of dropping DS off, have you looked at transport?

I did apply for transport but they currently have no chaperones and I would have to travel in the car with him. Even when a chaperone is available the timing conflicts with the time I have to leave to get my eldest to school so it works out better if I just take him myself.

The school is a CIC but not sure of the official status as its a brand new school (offshoot of a larger, more established school) and he is the first pupil in there. I think I will continue to push then maybe contact the LA if they keep dithering.

I've just checked and its not a section 41 and is listed as other independent special school.

I appreciate you want to take DS yourself, but just so you know, the LA’s lack of staffing is their problem, not your problem. You do not have to act as the chaperone. The LA would need to solve their staffing problem. Are you receiving mileage instead?

As it is an independent school, the government’s statutory suspension and permanent exclusion guidance doesn’t apply. However, that doesn’t mean they can do whatever they want. I would start by reading their policies.