Help with appeal on school named on statement

[av16]

Hello - I wonder if anyone can help me with a problem from my work? It's not to do with a child with ASD but many of you have knowledge in this particular area. We have recently managed to get a statement for a child with extreme behaviour issues. They are at risk of permanent exclusion as they need at least 2 adults available to manage them, violence towards children and staff, extremely dangerous behaviour. The school has spent thousands in providing extra cover and fitting out a calm down room but no improvements in behaviour. Both parent & school requested special school placement but the LA have refused. Parents are appealing & we are supporting them with it. I want to make sure we do the best we can.

 

Any ideas what we can do? The child desperately needs some therapeutic input in a small school. If you've any advice I'd be really grateful.

 

(As a senco I should probably know this but I'm relatively new and haven't come across this before so it's a learning experience for me too)

 

Thanks

AV

[JsMum]

My queries,

 

What is the calm down room like?

 

Has he had any Assessment into?

 

Autism/Autism Spectrum Disorder/ SENSORY INTREGRATION DISODER/Patholgoical Demand Aviodance Disorder?

 

I am very surprised but not shocked that they are refusing the request of a special school, with out any further assessments of why he is acting aggressive though it will be difficult to ensure he accesses the righ type of Special school because placing him in to a EBD school could mean other needs go unmet especially if he does have undx ASD.

 

What type of experience have the TWO Adults have in supporting Aggressive and violent pupils?

 

Are there any communication aids for the child to use to help him express his needs?

 

I would look into a special school that can assess him as an emergency placement, where they specialise in Developmental Disorders.

 

How is his behaviour at home, is requiring the same level of care at home, has he had any community care assessments?

 

Contact A Family would be one port of call to look towards more advise and get some proffessional opinion such as seeking a solisitor.

 

IPSEA, NETWORK 81, ACE, are all worth a call too.

 

JsMumxx

 

[Kazzen161]

Is it a standard special school or an EBD/BESD one?

 

I can't see that a standard special school would have the expertise to help this child.

 

Where are the LA suggesting?

 

You need to prove that your school cannot meet his needs (as per his Statement) and that you have tried everything that you possibly can, and show that the other school can (I am presuming the special school have a place for him and are willing to take him?).

[Kathryn]

First make sure statement is tight and describes all the child's needs and clearly specifies particular provision child needs. If any gaps in evidence, parents should consider getting further independent reports.

 

Is it an independent school they are going for? If so, it will be a trickier appeal - parents must prove no LA mainstream or LA special school could meet her needs - including any out of county LA option which might be suggested.

 

LA's must consider whether a child's education at a school would have an adverse effect on the education of others: therefore produce evidence of child's past behaviour to show that the child could be a risk to others and to themselves if in an environment where needs aren't met. LA's will also consider whether any placement is an efficient use of their resources, therefore it's also important to research costs of LA and parents' preferred option, taking into account transport and any additional therapies child might receive.

 

K x

[Sally44]

Also has this child had thorough assessments.

I assume he is not on the spectrum? Has that been checked?

Have the clinical and educational psychologists recently done in depth assessments and specifically stated approaches and strategies to be used to try to improve behaviour (and other areas, not just behaviour). It may say 'to improve behaviour' is an aim. But it needs to be specific.

Parents may need a private report to state this.

Then they would need evidence that the current school are not suitably trained or able to deliver those programmes. Or are not suitably trained or able to cope with him now.

And of course you need to have a school that is capable of allocating him a place and which can demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the programmes being recommended.

[av16]

Also has this child had thorough assessments.

I assume he is not on the spectrum? Has that been checked?

Have the clinical and educational psychologists recently done in depth assessments and specifically stated approaches and strategies to be used to try to improve behaviour (and other areas, not just behaviour). It may say 'to improve behaviour' is an aim. But it needs to be specific.

Parents may need a private report to state this.

Then they would need evidence that the current school are not suitably trained or able to deliver those programmes. Or are not suitably trained or able to cope with him now.

And of course you need to have a school that is capable of allocating him a place and which can demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the programmes being recommended.

 

Thanks all for your help - it is all out of my hands now. Don't worry about the restraint - our staff are all trained - not nice I know but necessary unfortunately.

Thanks again - you have such a wide range of knowledge.

AV

[JsMum]

Don't worry about the restraint - our staff are all trained - not nice I know but necessary unfortunately.

Even if its necessary there is still procedures and policies to follow, and they do need to be trained and no less than two restraining as its not usual to restrain soley, so ensure they are following the proceedures and ensure they are not using restraint as a way of containment, there is a time scale of how long restraint can be used for so just want you to understand even though there trained they may well not be following the right procedures.

 

Have you also signed a form to agree to physical restriant, and how do you manage at home?

 

JsMumxxx