Tez Report post Posted March 7, 2005 (edited) Following my son's various problems at school both the school and CAMHS seem to be suggesting a Pupil Referral Unit may be the way forward. I have looked at the PRU they are alluding to and I seriously think they have lost the plot. The unit is aimed at children with severe emotional and behavioural problems, who are school refusers and who have high levels of unjustifiable absenteism and who are disengaged from the learning process and at high risk of exclusion. My son doesn't fit any one of these criteria. He attends school part time with school agreement because of sensory issues, he is well behaved, extremely quiet and polite and never causes any trouble, he does have anxiety problems but they are only a problem to him, he is extremely vulnerable and has been the victim of extreme bullying, which the school acknowledge, he doesn't fight back, he is completely engaged in the learning process and despite attending school only part time is currently achieving level 7 work whereas the expectation is level4/5, he is not at any risk of exclusion and never even gets a detention. Am I missing something here? Is there more to a PRU than I am seeing? I have read the Inspector's Report and I really can't see how my son would benefit; in fact, despite the small numbers I can only see it being detrimental to him. Has anyone any experience of PRUs? What do others think? I have emailed the school to ask for a meeting to discuss my concerns but would like to be well informed and have evidence to support me when I go. Edited March 7, 2005 by Tez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted March 7, 2005 (edited) Tez I would not dismiss the idea. We found it useful for our 5 yo who is also non-disruptive and has sensory issues. One of the end products of the 6-8 week placement is a written report which is immensely useful as 'ammunition' if you need to argue for more provision. Why not ask to visit before you make up your mind? We did and it turned out to be a wonderful place with some wonderful and understanding people there. PM me if you want to know more as I am sure these units vary up and down the country. Simon Edited March 7, 2005 by mossgrove Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tez Report post Posted March 7, 2005 (edited) Hi Simon, I'll PM you but was your son's placement designated to be 6-8 weeks because I understand my son would probably be placed in the unit for at least 2 years until he was 16 unless they felt he could be reintegrated back into mainstream education. Also it doesn't have any provision for assessments by Specialised Staff such as SEN teachers, Educational Psychologists, OTs etc so I'm not sure about how useful any written reports would be. According to the Inspectors Report it is considered to be a highly cost effective and good value for money way of dealing with children whose needs are not being met in mainstream schooling or who have vanished from the system. I'm afraid that says it all, but I'm hoping I'm wrong. Edited March 7, 2005 by Tez Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oracle Report post Posted March 7, 2005 (edited) David attended a PRU for a couple of weeks, and was beat up by a girl who had HUGE behavioural problems, and that was why she was out of school. In my opinion PRU's are not the place for our children. Tell them to stuff it where the sun don't shine! Carole - in millitant mood today. Edited March 7, 2005 by carole Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kathryn Report post Posted March 7, 2005 (edited) Tez, I'm not surprised you have misgivings. The home and hospital coordinator suggested one for my daughter. She said they mainly took pupils who were "school phobic", she said they had 3 girls like this and at the time they also had a girl with ME who could only attend part time. It sounded like a reasonable proposition, but I was worried that there was no one there with a knowledge of AS who could cope with her complex communication problems. The problem is that as pupils come and go, the atmosphere changes accordingly. It seems to me it is at best a stop gap, two years seems a long time to be in such a place as it cannot possibly offer the full range of opportunities that a school can. K Edited March 7, 2005 by Kathryn Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mossgrove Report post Posted March 7, 2005 Tez I'll reply to your PM later, but I think we might not be talking about the same thing! Simon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kazzen161 Report post Posted March 7, 2005 PRU's can be OK for our kids in that they have more 1:1 tuition, but the PRU's remit is to get children back into mainstream - if that was not going to be possible, then the LEA should be looking at an alternative school. My friend's son went to a PRU, whilst she went to Tribunal over choice of special school. The PRU unit themselves gave the LEA grief as he was there for several months, and they were just "babysitting" him really,as there was no way he would be going back to mainstream. If you don't mind him being at home part-time, ask for a home tutor for x hours a week - I am sure that would be more suitable. Karen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
