SENCOs - EHCP and meeting needs - how do you decide?

[KisstheTeapot14]

Hello and thanks for reading.

I am a parent of a child with complex needs. He has a long and detailed EHCP and we had annual review this week.

The SEN case worker said they are going to recommend a specialist unit within a mainstream 5 miles away.

They also said they will consult with mainstream round the corner from us.

What info does an LA usually give a school to help it decide if it can meet the needs of a child?

We get a copy of the draft EHCP

Very little. Just the draft echp which doesn't always give the full picture of need as it's often out of date.

I repeatedly ask our borough to send out professionals reports and latest annual reviews and it never happens. I think this is unfair as it's such an important decision that needs to be fully informed. I'm a sendco by the way!

Just to add. I would call the senco of the school you don't want and ask them to reject you!

Yes. I did wonder. We talked to SENCO at mainstream and she felt they could meet needs but I am certain she underestimates the reality of having our son in her school.

I have just typed up minutes for the 2 hour AR/Transition meeting which would be a bit of an eye opened (Primary SENCO comments etc)

Am quite tempted to send it to mainstream secondary SENCO.

I think the LA are going to play a game of - yes- you can have unit but mainstream say 'can meet needs' so we won't fund transport (as I say only 5 miles but would be lot less disruptive to work if shared taxi comes into equation)

That would be my guess.

I think the secondary SENCO will be unwitting accomplice to this...not quite evil plan...let's say money saving plan by the LA.

eye opener

Sorry, brain is tired.

Definitely have the conversation about why he needs specialist provision. I hate it when local authorities do this. They send round the bare minimum that doesn't tell the whole story and it's so wrong, especially when they agree to consult a special school.

I would contact the senco again and ask them to say no. I have previously quoted parental preference in my rejection letter. I also think you can turn down their offer of mainstream especially if mainstream has previously failed to meet your sons needs. Good luck and keep pushing!

Just realized I might not have made sense either as my brain is dead too...

Will I get accused of interfering with the decision making process if I ask the mainstream to reject him?

I don't know whether I have the right to do that?

Its all statutory process and I don't want to put a foot wrong.

Not sure. I think it's good practice to have conversations with parents when I'm consulted as it's in the best interests of the child. It's a make or break decision in many cases and needs an honest and proper discussion. The bit that's unethical is that they don't give the full picture of need to schools in order to save money!

Maybe call the senco and tell her the kind of provision your son needs and make sure you sound as demanding as possible!

When I was in this position I proactively rang the schools the LA consulted and had a very frank conversation with the SENCO. There were some schools we visited too (pre covid).

I just wanted to send her to school that were FULLY aware of DD's difficulties and were FULLY onboard with supporting her.

I found that after the chat/visit a number of schools then said they couldn't meet needs (and I agreed ).