School refusal/EBSA

[HestaHect]

Hi there - My (now) 12 year old DD began to develop anxiety seemingly out of the blue back in March, and it gradually got worse and worse very quickly - coinciding with onset of her periods, if that's potentially relevant. School were helpful from the off, got her on a reduced timetable and we organised private CB therapy- but nothing has worked - she quickly went from going in for 2 hours to not at all - with accompanying panic attacks, and vomiting - and now flatly refuses to go in at all. She's missed 4 months of school (Year7) Therapy hasn't helped at all. We hoped a break over the summer, new therapist and fresh start for Year 8 might help, but she went in for an hour (very distressed) on first day of term this week and refuses to go back. I don't know what to do now - school are still trying to help (mainstream secondary), with reduced timetable, coming in later after the crowds have cleared, going straight to student services, being met at the gate, we've tried everything, but she just won't go in, or try any of the measures in place. I know I must apply for an EHCP now -she has dyslexia so was getting some support for that in school - but am confused about whether I should approach the LA for extra educational provision - or try and get the EHCP first - do it all at the same time - wait for an Ed Psych assessment (getting a private one but wait is about 4 months currently) - and should I approach the inclusion team at my LA, and how much do I involve the school in all this or just do it independently? There is so much to navigate and get my head round and I'm not sure where to begin and what order to do things! I would love to hear an update from you and how things have gone with your child this year - or if anyone has any advice for me - there is so much new info to understand and absorb. Thanks everyone in advance.

Request an EHCNA - IPSEA has a model letter you can use. You don’t need to wait for an EP assessment. You should speak to the school about it, but make the request yourself ASAP. You can speak to the inclusion team if you wish, but don’t let them put you off.

At the same time provision under s.19 of the Education Act 1996. This should have been provided long before now. A part-time timetable should be short term aimed at reintegration. After this DD should have been in school full-time or alternative provision provided instead of or as well as part time school.

she just won't go in

DD can’t go in. I know this is what you mean, but the language you use with professionals is important.

If the struggles coincided with the onset of DD’s periods, are some times of her cycle better than others? Does PMDD fit?

Just expressing my sympathy here. DD1 also had symptoms coinciding with start of her period. DD has been diagnosed with autism and ADHD. I am interested to learn of PMDD @OvertakenByLego

@HestaHect have things started to settle down?

Have you spoken to CAMHS (or got a referral)? My DD missed all of y10 & 11 (attendance started to go downhill from Y8).

She has now (at 17) been diagnosed with ASD .. which was the thing that underlay her Anxiety, is on medication for this, and has now started college

My experience has been that schools are undertrained and under-resourced. The school wants your child in, that’s their priority, but, she can’t go in right now .. and once that happens, they run out of ideas pretty quickly.

Please access “not find in school” https://notfineinschool.co.uk/
it’s filled with resources for you.

You are not alone ! It’s also not “your job” to get her into school, that’s the job of the professionals.