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SN teens and young adults

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How can I get better SEN support for Year 8 behaviour issues?

3 replies

Star454 · 11/03/2026 18:25

I have never posted on here before so sorry if too long etc.... I need advice from other parents on how to improve school for my DS who is 13 in year 8. For context, he has been on school SEN register since Y2 primary and we've long been chasing assessment for ADHD plus school recently screened him at my request and he also shows traits of dyslexia. Things haven't been good since starting high school. Behaviour is major issue - he regularly gets 5 negative marks a week for things like talking or being silly and this leads to 1 day of isolation out of normal lessons. He is in lowest ability set for most subjects, so missing lessons doesn't help. He feels it's impossible to meet school expectations and has started refusing to attend some days. We've spoken to school numerous times but they aren't willing to change their approach, tend to say he needs to take responsibility. They will refer to a document that describes DSs needs and measures that help him, but from what he tells me it gets followed quite sporadically. I don't really know what sort of support is reasonable to expect or how to get it. We do accept his behaviour isnt good but he will say he tries and its too hard. I am worried he will stop going to school completely and the repercussions for him and us as a family if this happens.

OP posts:
ExistingonCoffee · 11/03/2026 22:49

You can request an EHCNA yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

Alongside this, request another meeting with the SENCO. They must make reasonable adjustments and their best endeavours to meet DS’s SEN. The SEN Support plan should be being followed. What support is on the SEN plan? What have they already tried? If you know the email addresses of DS’s teachers, I would email them directly too. If you don’t get anywhere with the SENCO, escalate it to the member of SLT with responsibility for SEN.

onlytherain · 15/03/2026 20:52

If Interrupting and inability to focus are recognised ADHD traits. Punishing him for that is like punishing someone in a wheelchair for being unable to walk.

Maybe you read this, so you have some evidence on what school should be doing?
www.amazon.co.uk/Managing-ADHD-School-Evidence-Based-Teachers/dp/1559570431

SENDChaos · 28/03/2026 23:19

Does he have a EHCP? Check if the changes to their approach would come under reasonable adjustments. Record any punishment for behaviour directly linked to his disabilities …

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