2 questions, school funding 1:1 and SENCO

[Marne]

Hi, i have 2 questions to ask .

1. How easy is it for a school to get funding to fund a 1:1?

2. SENCO's do they actually know about SN? what qualifications do they need to be a SENCO?

I spoke to dd2's future SENCO yesterday and she said the school was applying for funding so dd2 could have a 1:1, dd2 is statemented for 30hours support but this can be used within a group (so not always 1:1), the school has agreed that dd2 needs full 1:1 support to keep her safe and to help her education.

The SENCO is trying to be very helpful but she doesnt seem to have a clue about ASD and just keeps telling me 'not to worry, dd2 will be fine'. She has only been SENCO for a year and will also be teaching dd2's class next year which will be a mixed class of receptions, year 1 and year 2's (which will include dd1). I'm still very worried and i cant see dd2 lasting more than a few weeks.

Can't answer the first question.

But as to the second as I understand it a teacher needs no specific qualifications to be a SENCO, apparently a SENCO doesn't need to be a teacher, though I've not met one who isn't.

Most SENCO's become SENCO's because they have an interest in SEN and they want to help; before they come up against all the bureaucracy. Others probably do it because they have to, or to add another tick in the career progression box. There are specific training courses for SENCO's but they are not a necessary requirement to practice as a SENCO.

There were some changes to SENCO regs a while back which said that they did have to be teachers - I'm not sure if it's been implemented yet. The SENCO at DS' school used to be a dinner-lady-turned-TA.

If school is supporting FT 1:1 then that increases the chances of your DD2 getting it and the fact she already has a statement does help. But you still could have to push for it and I'm not sure what right you have to appeal if the LA doesn't agree.

Our SENCo told me that currently teachers who take on SENCo responsibility must take Diploma/Cert (can't remember the level) in SEN to be able to take on the role. But it is quite expensive to do and the school may not be willing to pay (sounds as if yours is a small school Marne if it is mixed classes of 3 years) and their SEN/INSET budget may well be minute. And as the school have to have a SENCo she may not have done the course yet. But in any case as to how much there will specifically be about ASD in SENCo training...

As for extra funding, a statement with 30 hours should come with extra funding for the school (32.5 is f/t) and it is up to the school to allocate that funding. I should think it will be difficult for them to get extra on top of that.

But it seems to me you are being made responsible for the SENCo's inexperience here -- if your DD needs 1:1 and she has 30 hours support on her statement the school should be able to work out 30 hours 1:1 from the funding they get with the statement. The 'can be used within a group' sounds like a red herring because 'can be' doesn't mean 'always has to be', no?

When the school first saw the statement they planned on using one of the TA's the already have as dd2's support, after talking to me and seeing how bad dd2 is they have decided that they will need an extra member of staff as the TA's will be needed for the rest of the class, they said dd2 will need a 1:1 to help toilet train and change dd2 and that would mean the TA would have to be out of the room (not with the group).

The school will have around 80 children next year, 25 children will be in dd2's class (only 3 reception children), there will be 1 teacher and 2 TA's for the group (to teach 3 different years).

The school said dd2 will need a 1:1 and lunch and break times as well as any outdoor activities as dd2 runs off and has no sense of danger.

The school are trying hard to make dd2 welcome and say they are going to do everything they can to keep her happy and safe, i don't think they have a clue what that involves, i really feel that dd2 should be in a SN school but the LEA disagree, i guess i have to give the MS school a chance and there is a tiny chance that dd2 will be ok in MS.

Marne that sounds like a really difficult situation. I'm crossing my fingers for you that the school can make your dd welcome and happy and safe. And hope they can get that extra TA too.

'not to worry, dd2 will be fine' would worry the hell out of me. Sorry, but how on earth can she say she will be fine at this point?

Prolly a lovely SENCo. The one at ds new school (if we ever get in) is, but she has never heard of ABA, so doubt she really 'knows' about ASD.

Star, i am worried sick, it feels like i have no choice but to put her in MS to prove that she wont cope, then again she may prove me wrong (which she has done in the past). The school has done a great job with her sister who has AS but this is a whole different level, her sister is able to communicate well (dd2 can not). I don't think they have a clue what they are doing . They have arranged a school entry plan meeting in 2 weeks time which will involve dd's nursery's and portage worker, hopefully this will help.

We are prepared to home educate if this goes tits up but i would rather things worked well and dd2 can have the chances that her sister has.

Marne, are you not appealing the statement?

Star- over all the statement seemed ok (apart from the 1:1 bit being a bit hazy). We were told we could not appeal against the school (sn school) unless we had new evidence.

Marne, who told you that? It simply isn't true. The 1:1 should not be hazy. If you still have time PLEASE get onto IPSEA and put in an appeal. You might not get everything you want but the appeal in itself should improve the 1:1 nonsense.

Thanks Star- i still have time (not much time) to change the statement.Dd2's case worker told me i could no appeal against the place at a sn school, i got really angry with her on the phone as she basicly said i could not appeal until dd2 has started school and has come to harm .

Marne, once the statment has passed it's deadline it is set in stone and very very difficult indeed to open. If your dd is failed in a couple of months, even years, there may be nothing you can do about it.

You really really really need to address this now. I'm sorry that this is unbearable pressure on you but if you register your disatisfaction asap, you can strategically buy yourself some time but you need legal help from one of the charities.