Help needed - son forcibly removed from class

[Carrera74]

I've made an appointment for Friday. I think if I cannot get him signed off I will have no other option but to send him back and watch him fail.

 

We have been to see an independant school this morning which would be perfect for him. It's very ASD focussed and the Headteacher really knew his stuff.

 

My Parent Partnership contact saw the EP yesterday and he has advised that DS should be going back to school to see if the care plan they have in place works. I'm obviously not so sure about that as everything in the care plan should have already been in place (there's nothing in there that school said was in place at the Tribunal).

 

I think I have 2 roads... I either send him back to fail and document everything and hope that the Tribunal will go in our favour for a different school or I keep him off school and jump up and down to everyone who will listen - local MP, local papers etc etc.

 

Whatever I decide to do I know the tribunal may not go in our favour as they didn't do last time so I am really wary about this route as we could still be in the same place 6 months from now. I want him in the right school asap

[Carrera74]

I have been to see my GP this morning who was very supportive of us. He asked could my DS not go to another suitable school - if only it was that easy!!! He has offered to write a letter for me which will explain why I have kept him off school.

 

School have now confirmed in writing that they have now referred me to the LA as DS has less than 80% attendance and a complaint isn't a good enough reason to keep him out of school.

 

I wish they would listen to me. The complaint is one thing. DS being in the wrong environment is the main concern! The inappropriate handling wouldn't have happened if they could read him/didn't let things get out of hand as they do

 

Edited December 18, 2009 by Carrera74

[Sally44]

If possible it is better for him to go into school. If he causes problems there he maybe excluded, but that is another system that has to be recorded and it is more gathering of evidence that the school placement is not working.

If he becomes depressed, anxious etc to the extent that he need a sick note, then you can take him to the GP to sign him off again.

Further to the incident at school I believe you are following the complaints procedure? That too is evidence that you can use at tribunal.

You say you are going to tribunal. Do you have a date for that? Is the NAS or IPSEA supporting you through this?

Is this current school ASD specific?

My understanding is that the Educational Psychologist is the person who can say whether a school is the right one or not. I think your LA EP has not been very useful?

Are there any specialist schools that can conduct their inhouse psychologist assessments and produce a report for tribunal?

Depending on how much time you have there is also the BIBIC organisation which is a charity. But you need to travel to Somerset to their assessment centre. But all the professionals are on site to assess and give advice to you and school.

What you need is evidence that the independent school you have found is the only one that can meet his needs and is a better use of the LAs resources.

Does this independent school have a place available.

 

[Carrera74]

Hi there

 

I know we'll have to send him back in the New Year but I wanted to be sure in my mind we were doing the right thing. I have regretted sending him to this school since October last year and didn't want to regret this either. It really annoys me that we have to send him back to fail and prove that it isn't the right environment for him and who suffers, my DS and us. Damn the LEA Our EP is a lovely chap but considering I wanted him to see my son because of the behaviour and learning going down hill he was a waste of time as there is no mention of either in his report! According to the EP my DS has high self esteem and is a bright boy. No mention of his meltdowns or the reasons why a report was necessary.

 

We have been to 2 independant schools and are going to see another in the New Year. Both have places available and both have children from my area travelling to these schools.

 

I don't have a date for tribunal yet as the emergency review was last Friday and I am waiting for the new statement but as soon as it comes I will be agreeing to it and putting in my appeal. His current school isn't ASD specific. It's a BESD school although there are other children who are ASD.

 

I'll look into the specialist school assessments. Thank you.

 

DD has just rung me to say there is a package from school. I imagine this is the complaint response. Think I'll get a bottle of vino on the way home from work as I bet I will need it

Edited December 18, 2009 by Carrera74