First day of school: No more support

[curra]

Hi Everyone. Some of you may remember me, haven't been to the forum for months but Ive been reading some of your posts now and then.

 

M 's first day in year 10 left him in tears as he was not allowed to stay in the ASD unit and was forced to go to mainstream lessons. He also has no more TA in the lessons. School called me to explain that they don't have resources to teach him at his level in the unit. M said that he was in "agony" the whole day , that everyone was looking at him and now he refuses to go back to school feeling stressed, hopeless, saying that his learning and emotional welbeing are destroyed. I explained all this today to the school but I don't think that they are going to do much about it. I suppose I will have to ask the LEA to intervene as my son has a statement and his special needs are clearly not being met. I cried and cried yesterday night. M is academically a good student but this last school tactic is a blow to his achievement. They simply don't unfderstand what his emotional needs are, they think that because he's a good learner he can "go for it", "make the effortt" etc. There's no way that forcing him to learn in big groups will make him overcome his fears. The worst part is that last term school gave their word that he would learn all his lessons in the unit but it seems that they changed their minds during the hols when they added up the costs.

 

I'm at my lowest, but still with some strength for another fight.

 

Curra

[oxgirl]

Oh, Curra, I'm so sorry, that's just so wrong. <'> I bet your lad felt very scared and alone all day and I'm not surprised he doesn't want to go back. Could you have an emergency meeting with the school and tell them that you won't be bringing him in until he gets the appropriate support? They can't just fling him in at the deep end without a life raft and expect him to get on with it, he desperately needs some support or he'll just feel like he is sinking. It's not fair and I hope you can get them to listen to you. <'> <'>

 

~ Mel ~

[PinkSapphire]

Hi Curra course we remember you hun.

 

Right I am sitting here totally fuming for you! you need to get onto your LEA ASAP, it is such a fight to get these statements schools cannot and should not be allowed to ever ignore them.

 

I really do not understand how schools thing they can get away with this sort of neglect when there is a legal document telling them what to do and they are given the funding to apy for it so there is NO excuse.

 

I really hope you get this sorted, I am sure you will find the extra fight you need, we always seem to no matter how battle weary we are.

[curra]

Hi Mel,

 

Hope your lad had a better first day than mine. Thanks for your reply, yes I will HAVE to do something about this, but I'm not sure about a meeting with them since there was one towards the end of last term ( a multiagency meeting) wihich was a total waste of time. They agreed there and then to give M 100% tuition in the unit. What a joke! I still can't believe that they have taken all away from him. I wonder if just asking the LEA for help would be a good idea. If the school think I'm not going to fight for his rights they are very wrong. They see a lone mother, perhaps she'll accept it and blame herself for whatever happens? NO WAY. I did all I could yesterday to persuade M that he could eventually cope with mainstream, but it was no ues, he broke down and I ended up feeling physically ill (I have high blood pressure). M feels that he's sinking and that he has no way out. He was so looking forward to his first lessons in his favourite subjects, now he's going to miss them . What a way to start school, and all because of money!

 

 

Curra

[curra]

Hi Pinkspapphire,

 

Thanks for your reply.

Just when you think that everything is fine because your child has finally a statement and you found a "better" school, the problems start again. It seems that the budget assigned in the statement is not big enough for specialist teachers for him. The children at the unit are learning at a lower level and M cannot stay in the lessons with them. But that should be a problem to sort between the LEA and the school, or so I think, why should my son be left without support because of that? It's so unbelievable.

 

Reading other postst I see that many of our children also had a terrible first day at school .

Take care

 

Curra

[pumpkinpie]

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN WRITING FROM THE THE SCHOOL ABOUT WHAT THEY AGREED TO DO BEFORE THE HOLS?

Even if you dont all is not lost, dig out the statement and see what it says

 

I would follow ipseas advice(from the website)

--------------------------------------------

Complain when your child is not getting the special educational provision on their statement

How do I know what my child should be getting?

This should be ?specified? in Part 3 of the Statement.

 

Do the LEA have to ?arrange? this help?

In law, the LEA must ?arrange the special educational provision? specified in a Statement.

 

When should I complain ?

If you discover that your child is not getting the special educational provision specified in Part 3 of the Statement or that the provision is being removed or reduced without the Statement being amended.

 

Should I speak to the school about this?

Yes, definitely. Speak to your child?s class teacher and the Headteacher about your worries as well as writing to complain to the LEA.

 

What if the school offers to write on my behalf?

It is OK for the school to write as well, but the most important thing is to write yourself. You, as a parent, are the only one who can take legal action in order to ensure that your child receives the provison specified in her Statement. The head can't do this, even if he or she wants to!

 

Who should I write to?

Write to the top person at the LEA, usually called the Chief Education Officer or the Director of Education. You can find out what the top person is called in your LEA by asking at the school or the local library.

 

Remember: keep a copy of any letter you send and ring IPSEA if you don?t get a reply after two weeks or if you want further advice.

 

Model letter

Dear Sir or Madam,

 

(Child?s name) (date of birth)

 

Complaint that special education provision is not being made

 

I am writing as the parent of the above child, who has a Statement of Special Educational needs and attends .................. school.

 

Under Part 3, the Statement specifies the special educational provision my child should receive and I understand that you have a legal duty to ?arrange? this provision.

 

I am sorry to have to inform you that you are in breach of this duty, on the grounds that the following provision is currently not being made:

 

 

 

 

 

Please reply to this letter as soon as possible, but in any event within 5 working days of receiving it, confirming the steps that you will take to ensure that the special educational provision specified in my child?s Statement will, in fact. be made.

 

I look forward to an early reply and trust that it will not be necessary to take this matter further.

 

Yours sincerely,

You can download this advice and the model letter as a Word document:

 

Support Sheet 7: Complaint over failure to provide provision specified in the Statement

[curra]

Thanks Pumpkinpie, <'> <'>

 

I have only the notes I wrote down at the meeting, but the statement is very clear. It says that his provision will be given at the unit, there's not a word of mainstream lessons.

 

I'll wait until tomorrow to see whether the school comes up with something (they said they'd phone back today) and then I'll phone the LEA and write them a letter.

 

 

Curra

[cmuir]

Hi

 

That's outrageous putting him through that (and you!). The way that things usually work with me is that firstly I get upset, then I get really angry - that's when I'm at my best in terms of making sure my son's needs are met in terms of support. Don't let this one go. Can you enlist the support of NAS or IPSEA? There is a law against your child's needs not being met. I know you're in England, but in Scotland there an act which I use for amunition 'Additional Support for Learning Act Scotland 2004' - is there an equivalent English Act? In addition, there's a designated person within the education department whose title is 'Parent and Pupil Support Coordinator' - again, is there an equivalent person in your region?

 

Best of luck with this one. Makes me so mad that schools get away with this. At the end of the day they have to put in a bid for funding for support, school is assessed and funding is granted but allocated by the school.

 

Caroline.

[Clare63]

Oh Curra it's just so awful the system is letting our children down time and time again, goodness knows what this is doing to their self esteem, education I guess can be taught at point in our lives but our self esteem is shaped through childhood experiences, people's lives could be ruined through lack of understanding, support and of course the root of all evil money !!!!

 

Sorry to sound off there, but I am so cross Curra, we are going through simular and I just don't know how much more I can take. I feel so passionate about it..... maybe its time for me to stand and be counted.

 

My heart goes out to you and your lad.

 

Clare x x x

Edited September 6, 2007 by Clare63

[puffin]

I would contact IPSEA if I were you.

 

If your son's statement specifies the Unit then the school is breaking the law by not providing it. The school's budget is not your problem - the head should take it up with the LEA if there is a problem. As it stands at the moment - the Unit is getting your son's funding but not providing him with any support!

[curra]

Thanks for replies and support, Caroline, Clare and Puffin <'> Ive been feeling all day as if I had a tight belt round my chest. If schools really knew what effect they have on families with SEN children! . I'm going to call tomorrow someone from the NAS and also the LEA. The statement is very clear, the provision will be giiven at the unit.

 

Keep fingers crossed please !! <'> <'>

 

 

Curra

[pumpkinpie]

fingers at the ready

[pumpkinpie]

Ive just realised that sounds rude

[curra]

Ive just realised that sounds rude

 

 

 

Thanks Pumpkinpie, I needed to laugh

 

 

Curra

[JsMum]

Personally I would not return my son back into school until he was recovered by the effects of what had happened and then I wouldnt let him return until there was support in place with it detailed on a clear IEP and a written statement of what has been aggreed, I would be visiting the local Special Needs Department and not letting it go until they had it declared that his needs will be met and the stipulated support in place, if the school are suggesting they have no funds to support him then the school can not meet his needs, and you could technocally look for a spersific special school that looked at his abilities as well as meeting his special educational needs.

 

IPSEA-ACE-NETWORK 81-NAS- Are all suggestable here.

 

JsMum

[Clare63]

I hope some progress has been made today Curra, as JSMum says I don't think I would send my child into school until this sorted out. What ever you do, I hope things are resolved for you quickly.

Thinking of you <'> <'> <'>

 

Clare x x x

[Cat]

The statement is very clear, the provision will be giiven at the unit.

 

A Statement is a legally binding document so if they are not sticking to it then they are breaking the law it is as simple as that.

 

Have you managed to speak to anyone. MY DH is a Director for Network 81, which does not make him an expert but he can usually manage to find one if he needs to PM me if you need any help. Can't promise anything but we will try.

 

I personally would do the LA - we don't have LEA's anymore - over this. I think I would also be thinking about contacting my MP.

 

Cat

[shars]

Hi Curra,

 

Some strength,????? you say ?????

 

You have all the strenght in the world

my boy did one day at his new secondary school and it all went wrong,.

Dont say some fight,we know our kids and its all fight..

Were the people who dont turn our backs and walk away.

We cant were mums so some fight.NO no no no

All the fight, all the fight in the world

So dig your teeth in girl, remember your making differance.Dont ever let anyone convince you otherwise.Your better than that

Your the begining of change for our kids and dont let anyone tell you different!!!!!!

Keep going if we all give up what would these kids have.

From my heart I know where your coming from.

But dont say some fight Say all the fight .A ###### enough is enough

onwards and upwards

Shars

xoxoxoxoHope tomorrows a better day xoxoxoxDont you dare give up

[Frangipani]

<'> <'> <'> <'>

[curra]

Lots of <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> and thanks to all for your lovely replies. DS is still refusing to go to school, I have already contacted the head of LEA who will get in touch with the school and will have a meeting with them , hopefully to discuss "resources". Things take time and in the meanwhile M is losing out. It's not clear yet whether he'll be allowed to stay in the unit next week, I have a meeting with the head on Monday. I usually feel very strong but when your' in your 50s worries start taking their toll on your health. People kindly say that I look 45 but that's only on the outside.

 

Curra xxx

[Clare63]

Curra,

Good luck for your meeting with school. I wish there was something more I could do or say to help, I do feel so like you, it is so very hard and as you say the older you get the harder it seems, or is it the case that this constant banging of our heads against a brick wall is bring us down.

 

Take care <'>

 

Clare x x x

 

PS lucky you for only looking 45 !!!

[curra]

PS lucky you for only looking 45 !!!

 

My DS says that I look 100

[Clare63]

Don't you just love 'em

[curra]

Brief update: After talking to the chief of the LA I had a meeting this morning with the head of the school and M will be allowed to continue in the unit!!!

 

 

 

Hugs and thanks to All of you lovely guys for your support!!! <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

 

Curra

[pumpkinpie]

Great news but wasnt all this so unnecessary. If the school/unit had just done what it was supposed to do legally and morally all this upset and loss of schooling would have been avoided!

[curra]

It was really unnecessary. M was talking about committing suicide, I had to see th GP about my health (and the GP asked for several tests), and although today I'm relieved and happy that M's allowed again to be in the unit I'm not holding my breath. The school really wants him out of the unit (I don't think they'll be getting more money from the LEA) so I know that they will keep pressuring my son to go to the mainstream lessons. How much pressure he'll be able to cope with is not clear. It's only a matter of time until there's another crisis.

 

Curra

[oxgirl]

So sorry you've both had to go through this, Curra, it's just not fair. I really hope that they stick to their promises and pull their fingers out and start providing an appropriate education and support for your lad. <'> <'>

[curra]

Thanks Mel! <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'> <'>

[pumpkinpie]

Thats horrible.

I would write to the school(was anyone taking minutes) if not and you took some write them up and ask all parties to sign them as a true account so you have a formal record of what they have all agreed to.

If he is stressed( I would certainly put this in the letter) this will help your case later I would urge you to put the agreements in writing early - it will save a lot of probelms later if they try and go back on their words. ie you can show they acted illegaly.

Dont get het up or too sympathetc with the issue of costs. Schools have an sen budget and this school has additional monies for the unit. If they arent using them correctly thats for them and the governors to discuss with the lea - its really not your probelm!

[curra]

Thanks for the advice Pumkinpie, I will remember it in the future. So far there hasn't been anything in writing (except the statement).

 

<'> <'>

 

Curra

[Clare63]

Curra,

Was pleased to read they have allowed him to go back into the unit for the time being.

I put in writing to my school that considering my son has a disability/special need - AS that we recieve DLA & carers allowance what provision has the LEA made to the school for his support..... interestingly she is unable to comment at this present time ???? ..... might be worth asking yours ?

<'> <'> <'>

Clare x x x

[curra]

Clare,

 

They gave me his IEP yesterday, very vague targets, but at least there's mention of him being in the unit. BUT, at the same time the pressure started again for him to have lessons outside the unit. It's very confusing, they say yes and act the opposite.

Hope you get an answer from the school soon. They should write an IEP for your son too.

 

Take care

 

Curra

[pumpkinpie]

Curra

Have you thought about asking them about this?

It seems the ideal opportunity especially as we as parents are asked for our input about the iep. Personally I would ask them why there is a discrepancy in what was agreed at the meeting and his statement that x would be educated within the unit, but the iep implies this is not the case and the emphesis will be on teaching him within the mainstream enviroment where aint working causing ...............

Just a thought

[curra]

Good idea Pumpkinpie! I'll use the IEP to get them to agree things in writing. They have also left out his favourite subject from his timetible. How can people be so careless?? When I said to the head that M chose that subject as first priority she said that it couldn't be given in the unit and that if she reshuffled the timetable he would have to go to mainstream. Sounds like blackmail to me

 

 

Curra