son excluded! school send tutor?

[jordansmum33ok]

sorry this is rushed..

 

just had call from school.. son on exclusion for violent beh on himself and property he has diag of aspergers/adhd

is 12.. in behaviour unit

 

school said they had meeting and decided 1-1 better and not group..

i had no meeting.. now tutor is on her way..

i want him to go to school.. even if in 1-1 setting.. its the only place he sees his friends and i too need a life

 

any advice please

[nannysandy]

Hi jordansmum, im new on here but i would kill for my son Ben to get 1-1 tuition , personally i wouldnt knock it without trying it but then you have to get him back into some kind of normality as soon as possible, my own son has been off now for a few weeks he has no diagnosis but many symptoms of aspergers including school refusal due to illness, their only answer is to send him back in and keep him back a year so he has an extra year of being ill to worry about. your son has a diagnosis of aspergers yet he has friends at school that in itself seems odd to me cos my son doesnt mix, like you i try to have a life but even when he is in school they send him home all the time when he gets upset, i would take the home tutor but ask for a meeting straight away becuase if he does have friends he will soon lose that side of things in my experience the more my son has been off the further into himslef he has gone even tho he has no friends there anyway he now refuses to go anywhere even the cinema prefering his own company all the time, good luck, nanny sandy

[Karen A]

Hi.It is a bit difficult to offer advice with the limited information at the momment.However I am working on the basis that school are saying your son is excluded

If he has been excluded then the school should have documented it in a letter with specific information regarding how long the exclusion is for and your right to appeal.

I posted a lot of information on another thread which I will find and post a link as it will all be relevant and it will be quicker than my finding it for you.

Basically if your son has been excluded then give the ACE exclusion advice line a call and obtain some individual advice.

If your son has been placed in an exclusion unit internally then that may well not be classed as exclusion.It is worth seeking clarification in writing from the school.

With formal external exclusion you will have more rights to appeal.Karen.

[Sally44]

I would advise you to contact your local Parent Partnership to make sure that all procedures are followed correctly. Make your point of view clear, ie. that you want him in school and for him to be supported 1:1 as they suggested and that you are happy with that, but that you do not want him taught at home. PP may suggest a meeting with all professionals concerned. That might be helpful in getting him back in school.

Your post says that he is in a behavioural unit. So I presume his placement is the right kind of environment for him. Do you have any concerns about his placement or the level of support he receives?

 

[Karen A]

Hi again.The IPSEA,NAS and ACE information is all available on this thread.

Do obtain some advice from ACE as they are the experts.

http://www.asd-forum.org.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=21112

Edited April 23, 2009 by Karen A

[Karen A]

Hi.This is the ACE pack on exclusion available to down load.The excusion advice line is also on the page.

http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/advice-about-educ...mation-pack.htm

 

I would advise you to not agree to home tuition or anything else without first obtaining some individual advice.

If a child is excluded then parents have a right to appeal.I don't know if school may be attempting to pressure you to agree to home tuition without having provided you with the correct information.They cannot do this.There is a recognised procedure which they should not be trying to bypass.

I may be wrong but I am responding on the information available.Karen.

[jordansmum33ok]

Hi,

he is on a 5day exclusion, ie at home.. he was allocated the place in sept as hehad to go to secondary school.

He has a statement which suggested a prev behavioural unit, before the school change he was calmer but it took a num of yrs

now he has since sept on lasted 2 full weeks without being on some kind of exclusion, at the new unit.

 

i dont feel they are meeting his needs as exclusion within the unit i feel would be best, tutor is due an min so again rushed..

thank you for advice so far, greatly appreciated

 

<'>

Edited April 23, 2009 by jordansmum33ok

[jordansmum33ok]

Hi.This is the ACE pack on exclusion available to down load.The excusion advice line is also on the page.

http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/advice-about-educ...mation-pack.htm

 

I would advise you to not agree to home tuition or anything else without first obtaining some individual advice.

If a child is excluded then parents have a right to appeal.I don't know if school may be attempting to pressure you to agree to home tuition without having provided you with the correct information.They cannot do this.There is a recognised procedure which they should not be trying to bypass.

I may be wrong but I am responding on the information available.Karen.

 

yes my thoughts exactly.. im just going to hear them out today..ie obtain timeframe for this, he already feels school dont want him so this adds to that.

thanks Karen

 

[Lisa40]

When my daughter was excluded I phoned up the Children's Legal centre, they offer advice on exclusions. The link is below. When I called them the advice for a set period of time is free and then if you need to take things further I think they charge. Have used it a couple of times in the past and have never been charged.

 

 

http://www.childrenslegalcentre.com/Legal+.../Education+law/

Edited April 23, 2009 by Lisa40

[Kazzen161]

If the school admit they cannot meet his needs, then it opens up the chance of him being able to go to a more specialist school.

 

Behaviour units often don't work for our children.

[jordansmum33ok]

Hi,

 

Just had the meeting with the tutor.. who is a teacher on one part of the school.. not the behavioural unit.

She said its the only option i have at the moment as next step will be permenant exclusion , apparently the LEA approved it..

as a ..step.. Suggestions from tutor are

 

Tues 11-12 home tution

wed.. therapy at the school unit prob an hr session

Thursday 11-12

 

woop ee doop.. some education.. cant do Pe just seems to be English and maths..reading

 

Timescale.. unknown

at least home tutored till end of term..

outcome.. unknown .. may be change of school as unit may still not accept him.

 

so point is ? i asked.. its this or nothing..

 

I asked for all this to be in writing and said i confirm or decline once sought advice..

 

I said should i be looking now for alternative.. answer was we let you know once got to know him.. triggers etc.

 

I asked whats happening ie the CAFE meeting.. she is going look into it ..

 

I need to lok at his statement as im sure his needs are not being met..

 

really fed up today now as feel we gone backwards not forwards in that he was due back to school monday.. after written exclusion letter.

 

Can anyone think of any questions i shouldbe asking? would really help me.

i call number tomorrow for advice too

thank you

 

 

[Karen A]

Hi,

 

Just had the meeting with the tutor.. who is a teacher on one part of the school.. not the behavioural unit.

She said its the only option i have at the moment as next step will be permenant exclusion , apparently the LEA approved it..

as a ..step.. Suggestions from tutor are

 

Tues 11-12 home tution

wed.. therapy at the school unit prob an hr session

Thursday 11-12

 

woop ee doop.. some education.. cant do Pe just seems to be English and maths..reading

 

Timescale.. unknown

at least home tutored till end of term..

outcome.. unknown .. may be change of school as unit may still not accept him.

 

so point is ? i asked.. its this or nothing..

 

I asked for all this to be in writing and said i confirm or decline once sought advice..

 

I said should i be looking now for alternative.. answer was we let you know once got to know him.. triggers etc.

 

I asked whats happening ie the CAFE meeting.. she is going look into it ..

 

I need to lok at his statement as im sure his needs are not being met..

 

really fed up today now as feel we gone backwards not forwards in that he was due back to school monday.. after written exclusion letter.

 

Can anyone think of any questions i shouldbe asking? would really help me.

i call number tomorrow for advice too

thank you

 

Hi.I think this is beyond my ability to offer advice .

Please do ring ACE and obtain specific advice individually regarding the options available to you and how to ensure your views are documented and represented.

I do still stick with my original opinion.Please do not agree to anything without having obtained expert advice.

I still think you should have written confirmation regarding timescales,reasons for exclusions etc.Karen.

 

[Karen A]

Does your son have a Statement and is the AS/ADHD documented on it ?

Edited ...sorry you obviously do have a Statement.

It may be worth asking the LA for an emergency review of the Statement on the grounds that school appear unable to meet his needs.

When was the last annual review ?

Edited April 23, 2009 by Karen A

[Kazzen161]

You do need advice - they need to officially permanently exclude him. Check that they will be doing this and not just keeping him on the school register, but sending a teacher round for two hours.

 

Tutoring him at home for two hours a week is not sufficient if he is permanenetly excluded (they are supposed to supply a full-time equivalent education). It sounds as if they are trying to get out of providing this.

 

Did you say he has been in the unit since September - if so I should think they would have got to know him by now. And how will they get to know him, if he is not in school anyway?

 

If I were you, I would definitely do my own research into specialist schools (including independent and possibly residential). The LA is unlikely to be in a hurry to sort this out - if they drag it out long enough, he will be 16 and no longer their responsibility.

 

[cmuir]

Hi

 

School need to provide something in writing making all of this formal, and as a record. It's my understanding that a child can be excluded if they are deemed to pose a risk to health and safety to themselves or anyone else. Reading between the lines, that could be where they're coming from. You need to ask someone who is independent of the school for advice - Karen A gave some good pointers (IPSEA, for example).

 

Regards

 

Caroline

[Karen A]

You do need advice - they need to officially permanently exclude him. Check that they will be doing this and not just keeping him on the school register, but sending a teacher round for two hours.

 

Tutoring him at home for two hours a week is not sufficient if he is permanenetly excluded (they are supposed to supply a full-time equivalent education). It sounds as if they are trying to get out of providing this.

 

Did you say he has been in the unit since September - if so I should think they would have got to know him by now. And how will they get to know him, if he is not in school anyway?

 

If I were you, I would definitely do my own research into specialist schools (including independent and possibly residential). The LA is unlikely to be in a hurry to sort this out - if they drag it out long enough, he will be 16 and no longer their responsibility.

 

Thanks Kazzen. It is good to have others around who have similar thinking.Karen.

 

[Karen A]

Hi

 

School need to provide something in writing making all of this formal, and as a record. It's my understanding that a child can be excluded if they are deemed to pose a risk to health and safety to themselves or anyone else. Reading between the lines, that could be where they're coming from. You need to ask someone who is independent of the school for advice - Karen A gave some good pointers (IPSEA, for example).

 

Regards

 

Caroline

 

Hi.I am being very clear that I am not an expert.

The issue is that exclusion should be documented in a way that is clear.Then a parent has specific rights to appeal.

ACE offer expert advice on appeals so that parents are aware of the right to appeal and have the information to do so.

The issue for me is not the rights or wrongs of exclusion in this case....I honestly don't know.

However there are procedures that should be followed. Karen.

 

 

[Karen A]

Hi.I have found the IPSEA link that might be useful.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/sevenfixes.htm#Req...ingReassessment

As I said yesterday regardless of what action you decide to take regarding the exclusion you can ask for an emergency review of the Statement.I would think that the fact that your child has been excluded should provide very good evidence to support your request.

If you decide to look at alternative provision then I would think the first stage in putting a case together would be a review of the current Statement.

The link includes a draft letter and you can write to the LA as a parent.

Edited to add.You may also be in a position to request a re-assessment of your child's SEN.A draft letter is on the same link for that.Karen.

Edited April 24, 2009 by Karen A

[jordansmum33ok]

Hi.I have found the IPSEA link that might be useful.

http://www.ipsea.org.uk/sevenfixes.htm#Req...ingReassessment

As I said yesterday regardless of what action you decide to take regarding the exclusion you can ask for an emergency review of the Statement.I would think that the fact that your child has been excluded should provide very good evidence to support your request.

If you decide to look at alternative provision then I would think the first stage in putting a case together would be a review of the current Statement.

The link includes a draft letter and you can write to the LA as a parent.

Edited to add.You may also be in a position to request a re-assessment of your child's SEN.A draft letter is on the same link for that.Karen.

 

Thanks Karen,

 

Had the tutor on the phone this morning asking if i have decided yet.. being bit pushy it seems.. i said im talking it through with an advisor

and trying to explain it to my son.

 

She did say that shehas talked to autism outreach and they have given further advice,plus shewill talk to his speacilist..good luck on that!

 

they think his level is higher now in that high functioning and she has said that she will be providing evidence to the LEA to show his level of needs

so another school, more autism related would be better.

 

also getting another speech assesment done.

She said i manage him extremelly well as im in control and am aware of his needs/ability so she wants to see him in his own safe enviroment

 

I am going to ask for written acknowledgent ofthe suggested home tutor and reasons for this and ask of outcome options

ie where d they see it leading..

 

thank you for your help with the letter, i will be printing that off today. have also been trying read the links

my son is at home so very dificult to concentrate tbh but im trying!

 

thanks to everyone who has posted

 

julie

[jordansmum33ok]

Just been reading through his statement.. im going to go with the

 

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.

 

main points will be that he is not now offered a broad and balanced curriculm.

plus.. to mannage a successful transition to full-time educational provision.

mainly because now the only education is in the form of 2 hrs each week

in 1-1 setting at home and no proposed timecale offereed.

subjects to be taught english and maths.

 

 

can i send this letter to the school andthe Lea?

can i also request an urgent meeting to discuss annual reveiw?

 

im going to stress that i dont think the alternative is good enough

and he is obvouisly struggling at his placement due to number of exclusions he has had.

 

really stuck as how to word it as i want the school on my side so although im complaining as im not happy with the tutor suggestion

does anyone know if i can email parent partnership or any of the helplines as my son is really struggling today

and i cannot make any calls.. upsets him me just discussing his autism.

 

 

[Karen A]

Just been reading through his statement.. im going to go with the

 

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.

 

main points will be that he is not now offered a broad and balanced curriculm.

plus.. to mannage a successful transition to full-time educational provision.

mainly because now the only education is in the form of 2 hrs each week

in 1-1 setting at home and no proposed timecale offereed.

subjects to be taught english and maths.

 

 

can i send this letter to the school andthe Lea?

can i also request an urgent meeting to discuss annual reveiw?

 

im going to stress that i dont think the alternative is good enough

and he is obvouisly struggling at his placement due to number of exclusions he has had.

 

really stuck as how to word it as i want the school on my side so although im complaining as im not happy with the tutor suggestion

does anyone know if i can email parent partnership or any of the helplines as my son is really struggling today

and i cannot make any calls.. upsets him me just discussing his autism.

 

I have to say that I am not an expert ..

However I have a couple of thoughts.I think that given that your son's school placement appears to have effectively broken you should have every right to request an urgent review of the Statement.

Do you know when the last annual review was and when the next one is due ?

I would advise formally requesting the review by using the IPSEA letter or using the IPSEA letter as a draft.

If you just ask for a meeting to discuss the annual review then it may not have any formal recognition.It may just provide school or the LA with an oppurtunity to attempt to railroad you into accepting their chosen option.

If you cannot decide what you want to do yet and have not been able to think through the issues then don't let people push you to accept an option that might not be in your son's best interest.

I think the NAS may have an Email option.I will see if I can find out for you.

If you do use the IPSEA letter I do not think you need to give reasons or go into detail.If you request an urgent review it will not be arranged overnight.So you can always use the time between now and the review to obtain advice and think about what you want to do.

Have you had a Formal notification regarding the exclusion with information regarding your right to appeal ?

You need to send the letter requesting an urgent review to the LEA however you could copy it to the school if you wish...you do not have to if you don't want to because the LEA will contact them anyway.Karen.

Edited April 24, 2009 by Karen A

[Karen A]

Hi again.I cannot find an Email option for ACE,NAS or IPSEA.

ACE do offer a text service.The details are on the link below.

http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/contact-us/

Parent Partnership are a local service for each LEA.You could do a search on the web.The details may be on your local authority web site.The other option is to call them and ask if they have an Email address you can Email to.Actually I have done that with my local parent partnership when I wanted them to check things for me so it is worth a try.Karen.

[jordansmum33ok]

I have to say that I am not an expert ..

However I have a couple of thoughts.I think that given that your son's school placement appears to have effectively broken you should have every right to request an urgent review of the Statement.

Do you know when the last annual review was and when the next one is due ?

I would advise formally requesting the review by using the IPSEA letter or using the IPSEA letter as a draft.

If you just ask for a meeting to discuss the annual review then it may not have any formal recognition.It may just provide school or the LA with an oppurtunity to attempt to railroad you into accepting their chosen option.

If you cannot decide what you want to do yet and have not been able to think through the issues then don't let people push you to accept an option that might not be in your son's best interest.

I think the NAS may have an Email option.I will see if I can find out for you.

If you do use the IPSEA letter I do not think you need to give reasons or go into detail.If you request an urgent review it will not be arranged overnight.So you can always use the time between now and the review to obtain advice and think about what you want to do.

Have you had a Formal notification regarding the exclusion with information regarding your right to appeal ?

You need to send the letter to the LEA however you could copy it to the school if you wish...you do not have to if you don't want to because the LEA will contact them anyway.Karen.

 

Hi, i write the wording of last letter i received from school..

 

 

Dear MISS...

I have tried to contact you by phone but been unsuccessful and am therefore now writing to you.

 

I have spoken to ........ Special needs department regaurding the level of violence displayed by ........ and the danger he presented, not only to himself but

also to staff at end of last term.

 

At this moment in time it would appear that ....... is unable to work within a group and I am therefore proposing to change the arrangements for his education.

 

MRS..... an individual tutor will shortly be contacting you regarding these arrangements.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require futher information/clarification

yours sincerly

...... Head teacher

 

dated 21/04/09

 

im appaled that they think 2hrs a week is good enough.

in regaurd to the 5 day exclusion it was not inclusive of a date for him to return for meeting to discuss his readmittance, did state pending further investigation.

i found link to nas and emailed them thanks

 

Edited April 24, 2009 by jordansmum33ok

[Karen A]

Hi, i write the wording of last letter i received from school..

 

 

Dear MISS...

I have tried to contact you by phone but been unsuccessful and am therefore now writing to you.

 

I have spoken to ........ Special needs department regaurding the level of violence displayed by ........ and the danger he presented, not only to himself but

also to staff at end of last term.

 

At this moment in time it would appear that ....... is unable to work within a group and I am therefore proposing to change the arrangements for his education.

 

MRS..... an individual tutor will shortly be contacting you regarding these arrangements.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me should you require futher information/clarification

yours sincerly

...... Head teacher

 

dated 21/04/09

 

im appaled that they think 2hrs a week is good enough.

in regaurd to the 5 day exclusion it was not inclusive of a date for him to return for meeting to discuss his readmittance, did state pending further investigation.

i found link to nas and emailed them thanks

 

Please foward the letter to NAS.Also contact ACE next week.

I do not think what they are doing is legal

Please do not agree to anything without taking advice.

I don't think they can write and say they are ''changing the arrangements for his education''.

I think that they have to formaly inform you that he is excluded and notify you of your right to appeal.

As far as I understand there is fixed term exclusion or permanent exclusion.....both of which should be notified formally with right to appeal.

I don't think there is a category for deciding to ''change arrangements for his education'' .The only way they could change the arrangements for a child with a Statement is by amending the statement.Again if they were amending the statement then they would have to notify you and you would have the oppurtunity to appeal against the ammendments.

As far as I can tell they are not doing either.

I am at a loss.I hope somone else will come along to confirm that I am right.Karen.

 

[jordansmum33ok]

thanks karen my thoughts too..

 

i have agred to the tutor but only as a temporary messure as she seems to be saying that she needs proof thats its the aspergers causing him to not understand in school.. I have not agreed by writing though.. just via email to deputy head will show below..

his exclusion should have been over by monday 27th.. it was official letter, well was the same as all prev ones with just the exception of the pre meeting date to discuss his return.

 

Hi ....,

sorry in advance for rushed email and requests but im trying to compile letter to Lea regaurding Jordans statement

 

I would like to accept the offer of a tutor for now for ....

Please can i have the following in writing

 

Reasons for home tutor 1-1 rather than in school group setting

proposed time frame and or plan of progress

date of next cafe meeting or meeting to discuss the above or annual reveiw of statement.

 

Update of all .....exclusions to date

I understand most of the reasons for exclusions but an updated record would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you

 

have used the text service also

 

i know your not an expert but advice is really appreciated, normally i work with schools but this one is getting beyond me

i even asked them at prev meeting.. do you think this is best place for him.. they said yes we just need to get to know him an vice verser

not going to happen now..

 

his reports from age 5 to now are basically a carbon copy..

[Kazzen161]

Must admit, I have not heard of this happening before. It all sounds very odd.

 

I can't understand what else they are hoping to gain from this tutoring - he is not in a normal school environment, and it is only for 2 hours a week. They have had him in school since Sept - how much longer do they need to "get to know" him?

 

It sounds as though they are considering making the exclusion permanent.

 

I think once an exclusion is permanent, the LA are responsible for providing a full-time equivalent education - for temporary exclusions over 5 days in length, the school is responsible. It sounds as if they are not meeting their obligations. Please do ask Ipsea or ACE or Network 81 for advice.

[jordansmum33ok]

update..

 

Just received text reply from ACE and advice given here was spot on! thank you

 

they said

 

If exclusion has finished your son should be in school.. if exclusion longer than 5 days they must provide fulltime atlernative education in line with provision in statement.

 

If school no longer appropiate i can ask LEA for emergency review of statement with veiw to naming new school.

 

You can also cntact exclusions officer in your LA re lack of provision.

IF situation continues make formal complaint to Director of Childrens Services then to local Ombudsman..

 

 

So step 1 for me now will be asking foremergency reveiw of statement.

 

wish me luck please

[Karen A]

update..

 

Just received text reply from ACE and advice given here was spot on! thank you

 

they said

 

If exclusion has finished your son should be in school.. if exclusion longer than 5 days they must provide fulltime atlernative education in line with provision in statement.

 

If school no longer appropiate i can ask LEA for emergency review of statement with veiw to naming new school.

 

You can also cntact exclusions officer in your LA re lack of provision.

IF situation continues make formal complaint to Director of Childrens Services then to local Ombudsman..

 

 

So step 1 for me now will be asking foremergency reveiw of statement.

 

wish me luck please

 

Good luck. <'> <'>

I am really pleased that ACE got back to you.

I am a bit shocked at what your LA appear to have been playing at.

 

BD made a new smiley thing for me.It was not intended for this but does fit my view of the LA pretty well.

http://i78.photobucket.com/albums/j85/badders/OUTOFORDER.jpg

 

However thanks for confirming for me.It is helpul to know my instincts were on the ball. Karen.

Edited April 27, 2009 by Karen A

[jordansmum33ok]

HI yes im shocked too..

reread his exclusion letter as to be honest had so many i just thought it was the same format

ie he gets excluded.. then we have meeting to discuss his return..

 

couple of parts was different..

.... will be excluded for a fixed period of 5 days. in first instance, pending further investigation..

 

then right at end of the letter after the where you can appeal bit etc..

 

Due to the seriousness of this situation, we will contact you regarding a meeting to discuss....... place here at....

 

lesson learnt from me.. always read letter completly

 

letter sent to Director now

 

 

[Karen A]

HI yes im shocked too..

reread his exclusion letter as to be honest had so many i just thought it was the same format

ie he gets excluded.. then we have meeting to discuss his return..

 

couple of parts was different..

.... will be excluded for a fixed period of 5 days. in first instance, pending further investigation..

 

then right at end of the letter after the where you can appeal bit etc..

 

Due to the seriousness of this situation, we will contact you regarding a meeting to discuss....... place here at....

 

lesson learnt from me.. always read letter completly

 

letter sent to Director now

 

Hi.I was wondering about suggesting you right to director of children's services now.

The worst that can happen is that the director might say that you have not followed the LA complaints procedure level by level.[it may be worth asking the LA for a copy].If you are also requesting an emergency review of the Statement it won't do any harm for the director to know you are serious.

Anyway I think if a school cannot or will not follow the legal requirement re excluding a child with a Statement of SEN [exclusion and SEN being a concern of the dfes] then it is good that the director knows about it.Karen.

 

[Sally44]

HI yes im shocked too..

reread his exclusion letter as to be honest had so many i just thought it was the same format

ie he gets excluded.. then we have meeting to discuss his return..

 

couple of parts was different..

.... will be excluded for a fixed period of 5 days. in first instance, pending further investigation..

 

then right at end of the letter after the where you can appeal bit etc..

 

Due to the seriousness of this situation, we will contact you regarding a meeting to discuss....... place here at....

 

lesson learnt from me.. always read letter completly

 

letter sent to Director now

 

Let us know how it goes.

Are you asking for an emergency review of the Statement? As it seems that either the provision in it isn't adequate, or the school haven't been doing what was required of them, or the placement is inappropriate.

And if you are looking at alternative placements, you go on what kind of environment the child needs - not on the type of school environment that is available. Not having any places left is not a valid reason for you to accept any placement just to keep him in school. At Tribunal the Panel can make an award which forces the LA to make a further place. If your own LA does not have anything appropriate you can go out of county (I think Bid did that???). But it is very important that you read everything sent to you, and don't sign anything and check anything you are told via the agencies already mentioned.

And one more thing I would add is whether you consider his inappropriate behaviour is due to lack of support, or do you consider even with the appropriate level of support that his behaviour might be inappropriate. I am saying that incase they offer you a place in a specific behavioural unit, and again that might, or might not be appropriate depending on your feelings about the cause of his behaviour and on the peer group within that, or indeed any placement.

[Karen A]

Let us know how it goes.

Are you asking for an emergency review of the Statement? As it seems that either the provision in it isn't adequate, or the school haven't been doing what was required of them, or the placement is inappropriate.

And if you are looking at alternative placements, you go on what kind of environment the child needs - not on the type of school environment that is available. Not having any places left is not a valid reason for you to accept any placement just to keep him in school. At Tribunal the Panel can make an award which forces the LA to make a further place. If your own LA does not have anything appropriate you can go out of county (I think Bid did that???). But it is very important that you read everything sent to you, and don't sign anything and check anything you are told via the agencies already mentioned.

And one more thing I would add is whether you consider his inappropriate behaviour is due to lack of support, or do you consider even with the appropriate level of support that his behaviour might be inappropriate. I am saying that incase they offer you a place in a specific behavioural unit, and again that might, or might not be appropriate depending on your feelings about the cause of his behaviour and on the peer group within that, or indeed any placement.

 

Hi Sally. The information is on this thread.Jodanamum's son has been illegally excluded from a behavioural unit I think. ACE has provided excellent advice.

ACE have recommended requesting an early review of the Statement which I think jordansmum has now done.

At this stage she does not need to consider the alternative options re provision

There is a strong case for an emergency review based on the fact that the current statement has in effect been amended illegally as far as I can tell.

The LEA have made their own arrangements [home tuition for two hours per week] which they cannot do.

There is no rush for jordansmum to to consider options urgently.

The LA have got in an almighty pickle.

The first step will be to see whether they agree to the early review or decide to make the hole they are in bigger.

 

Jordansmum. Sorry if I sound like I am talking for you.

Having spent several days attempting to figure out what is going on thankfully with help from ACE. I do not want you to get more confused.

I don't know about you.I will be happy to have got step one done.Then step two can be considered in a day or so.Karen.

Edited April 27, 2009 by Karen A

[Karen A]

update..

 

Just received text reply from ACE and advice given here was spot on! thank you

 

they said

 

If exclusion has finished your son should be in school.. if exclusion longer than 5 days they must provide fulltime atlernative education in line with provision in statement.

 

If school no longer appropiate i can ask LEA for emergency review of statement with veiw to naming new school.

 

You can also cntact exclusions officer in your LA re lack of provision.

IF situation continues make formal complaint to Director of Childrens Services then to local Ombudsman..

 

 

So step 1 for me now will be asking foremergency reveiw of statement.

 

wish me luck please

 

Hi.I forgott to say.Do copy the letter you write to the Director of Children's Services to the exclusions officer.

The officer should be interested in how exclusions of children with Statements are managed in their area.

I contacted the exclusions officer when schol attempted to illegally exclude my son.He was very supportive .Karen.

 

[Sally44]

You do need advice - they need to officially permanently exclude him. Check that they will be doing this and not just keeping him on the school register, but sending a teacher round for two hours.

 

Tutoring him at home for two hours a week is not sufficient if he is permanenetly excluded (they are supposed to supply a full-time equivalent education). It sounds as if they are trying to get out of providing this.

 

Did you say he has been in the unit since September - if so I should think they would have got to know him by now. And how will they get to know him, if he is not in school anyway?

 

If I were you, I would definitely do my own research into specialist schools (including independent and possibly residential). The LA is unlikely to be in a hurry to sort this out - if they drag it out long enough, he will be 16 and no longer their responsibility.

 

As my previous post was seen as confusing, I will just agree with this one.

[jordansmum33ok]

thanks Sally AND Karen really do value your opion.. sorry never can spell that.

Must admit i was confused to and just wanted to know which step to take and in which order as i think his beh unit and LEA , im assuming that special needs department is them did act wrongly..

 

I spoke to the tutor who said his level seemed higher and tutoring him would also help her to help him get the right education.. hopefully showing that its his Aspergers causing the problems and not just him acting in a learnt way..

he is keen to attend school so i dont personally think its learnt behaviour.. plus he gets upset cries alot when he has had a meltdown at school

 

This unit are also the only ones that suggested medication for him.. which he was also keen to do.. "i want to be good" was his words..

 

The unit came highly recommended as i did have strong resevations.. since learnt that prev head wife is ED phsc at school and am now told tutor an herwill have chat..

 

I have never been 100% happy with the new beh unit as i dont think they are consistant enough and they show there weaknesses which has put pressure on my son.. ie if it keeps happening you will loose your place..

Ive recommended strategies to help him cope but its only sometimes they follow them through.. im still non the wiser to all full details of last exclusion.. i got panicked call.. not details in letter.

 

So to me another school will be a good option.. have looked and most are statement only which is ok.. plus not too far either and my LEA cover the areas

 

Was told it was tutor for 2 hrs week or nothing... which to me is extreme also hedoes not seem to be allowed in his prev unit at all!!

wondering if staff are thinking of taking it further as i did have that at a mainstream school.. did not expect it at beh unit though to be honest..

 

Think it will be an interesting meeting.. havesomeone watching my son on wednesday so will call parent partnership and/or ace then..

 

I sent it to director and cheif director and LEA officer involved on his statement.. plus seeing gp this week too.

 

thanks again

[Sally44]

The fact he says he wants to be good and wants to go into school does seem to suggest that school is missing something. Something is setting him off which might be schools expectations of him when his daily schedule does not have enough routine, visual reinforcement etc. The fact that you say school is not following through is worrying.

Is the behavioural unit only for children on the spectrum, or is it for children with behavioural issues whatever the reason?

[Karen A]

Hi again.As has been mentioned in other posts there are also specialist schools that provide a twenty four hour curriculum [the words for support and education inside and outside of school time [24 hours] in a residential placement for teenagers who have SEN and sometimes associated challenging behaviour].These can be specialist placements for teenagers with a diagnosis of ASD.These are usually private rather than LA.However if parents are able to demonstrate with supporting professional evidence that that is the only appropriate level of provision and obtain clear documentation on a Statement then it is possible to gain funding from the LA and have the school named on the Statement.The school may be in your area or as far away as in other counties.

To obtain a placement in this sort of provision often requires a fight with the LA.However others on the Forum have been able to do this.I gather from your other posts that your son has a very long history of exclusions.If a behavioural unit are now considering permanent exclusion then it may be worth looking into this option.

I cannot post specific names of the providers of specialist ASD residential schools on the Forum without breaking rules.However if you want more information I know several Forum members who have gone down the residetial route.They may well be able to offer information.Karen.

[Karen A]

Hi again.More questions......

Does the Current Statement include the ASD diagnosis ?

Is specific provision included in the Statement and if so is it qualified [exactly who is to provide the support,what support,what qualifications the person needs] and quantified [how often,for how long].

It may be worth planning ahead a bit if you can in preperation for the emergency review of the Statement.

I will find some links for you regarding reviews and checking Statements.

You need to make sure that the Statement after the review is as tight as you can get it.

It must include detailed specific provision for ASD if that is the sort of placement you would prefer.

 

Do you have support at the meeting on Wedensday ? It is worth taking someone from parent partnership with you.

Do ensure that the meeting is minuted too Karen..

 

[Karen A]

http://www.afasic.org.uk/pdf/ProposedStatement.pdf

 

Hi this link might be useful.It is actually for parents who need to check a new draft Statement.However you could use it just as well to go through the current statement [with a fine tooth comb] and ensure that nothing is missing that you would want included in a revised Statement.Karen.

[Karen A]

http://www.nas.org.uk/nas/jsp/polopoly.jsp?d=1763&a=6741

This is the NAS information on annual reviews which will also apply to an emergency review.Karen.