Going to look at special school after half term

[Sa Skimrande]

Special school , are you sure ?

 

Do you know what a 'special'' school is and what it's aims are ?

 

I went through school with no friends and bullied by everyone including teachers I didn't want to go, but I was forced and it resulted in jobs, I was employed and employed for nineteen years before I was diagnosed where now because of the diagnosis I am unemployed,

 

what do you want for your child, do you you want them to live independently or are you happy to be a mother for life as a special school will create ?

[Kazzen161]

Not all schools are the same, and these schools are "specialist" schools = specialising in AS/ASD/ADHD. If my son had not gone to such a school he would not be able to live independently, as he now does and his behaviour would still be too challenging to live in the community.

[KezT]

Visited Mark College today and had a long chat with he Principle. She says NHH is more suitable,as they can provide the sensory therapy he needs and also deal better with the autistic behaviours which have become fr worse during his year in isolation. If they had offered us MC a year ago when we first said we needed independant, it may well have been ok grrrrrr!

 

MC offer more academic subjects,but less social/emotional. They have passed challenging students upto NHH,and had very able students passed down from NHH. I have suggested the two Principles have a discussion about son,but at this time we are still going to fight for NHH next Thursday.

[Sally44]

I would say stick with your gut feeling as to where you think the right placement is for your son. As he has deteriorated he needs the more supportive and therapeutic environment. Who knows what the situation will be in a few years time.

 

What did he mean by "challenging students"? I presume your son is having difficulties due to ASD/anxiety etc, and is not a challenging behavours type of issue. And that the other students are similar to your son?

[KezT]

OMG - 36 hours to Tribunal and the LEA just capitulated!

 

WOOT!!!!

 

still "discussing" the exact wording, but they have agreed the residential placement,as well as every change we asked for to part 2 and part 3.

 

###### have dragged it out for a year,and probably cost themselves a fortune as if they had agreed an independant placement at the Annual Review last Feb, he could have had a MUCH cheaper local day placement.....

 

I would absolutely recommend the OT we used: Anita Laidlaw, who provided a splendid report and really took an interest in son personally. Also tip a nod to our solicitor as she really got things moving with the LEA. MAny Thanks to Sally on here who gave invaluable advice and support.

 

Going to have a stiff drink now to calm my nerves:)

[Sally44]

Best news ever!! :groupwave: :groupwave:

 

Make sure you get something in writing before you withdraw from the Tribunal. I know it is just about a day away, but at least get someone from the LA to email you their agreement to your placement. Or send them an email to whoever you spoke to and detail what they agreed.

Edited January 16, 2013 by Sally44

[Aginoth]

We have now agreed the Final Statement and seen the Signed Copy

[Sally44]

Now this is done and dusted you will have so much free time!!

[KezT]

Now this is done and dusted you will have so much free time!!

 

Sadly we've still got loads of stuff that needs doing,and fighting for:(

[Sally44]

So what's the next project?

Edited January 17, 2013 by Sally44

[Sazale]

What great news!

[KezT]

So what's the next project?

 

Not sure - going to look into whether there is a negligence claim against LEA and/or social servs,and also maybe a ombudsman one against the LA.... not sure if I can face the stress of going through with all that though.

 

Still got loads of hassle with SS, and no actual support in place, so got to try to get on top of tht too....

 

Try to get younger daughter properly dx'd and hopefully fixed!

 

Chase up young carers and our carer asessments which is a total joke!

 

Its never ending really;) but the schooling was the biggest and most important.

[Sally44]

See if you can look at my post about Core Assessment for my son, and Carers Assessment. I was given advice on what to write and to whom by the National Centre for Independent Living [their name has changed to something else now].

 

But anyway, the LA [who are also the employers of SS employees], did not respond to that letter for a year. So I lodged a complaint with the LGO - and also a complaint with the complaints person at the LA.

 

Outcome is that the assessment was completed and son is getting one night a week respite. School say they will be asking for additional nights in the near future.

 

LGO has also awarded compensation. Waiting to hear how much. They did say around £700 for a 2 month delay is agreeing the funding for this respite. I have challenged that as I said that I originally asked for a CA and nothing was done for a year, so shouldn't the compensation start from then. So waiting for outcome of that.

 

Again it is about getting things in writing and following procedures, and complaining in the right way to the right people. Good luck with it.

 

Negligence is hard to prove. I had alot of documentation that was evidence that the LA had deliberately frustrated the Statementing process and had deliberately worded it in such a way that it was not legally binding. But I decided to draw a line underneath that and not lodge a complaint with the LGO. Instead I took action on current issues such as residential respite at his school and involved the LGO with that.

Edited January 17, 2013 by Sally44

[KezT]

H U G E sigh of relief here, as placement seems to be working well:) he is happy, attending all classes and learning!!!

 

Its very quiet at home.... Im getting lots of clearing out done in the evenings lol, and hoping to get a full nights sleep one day soonish;)

 

Well worth the stress, although we shouldn't have had to appeal - the council didn't provide any evidence against the placement,or make any suggestion as to alternative provision > and the expense, which we will be paying back until he leaves school...... ho hum.

[Sally44]

I know it isn't fair. But the difference you see in your child is just amazing isn't it.

 

My son is going on a ski-ing trip to Italy in a couple of weeks. I NEVER imagined he would want to do that!

 

So onwards and upwards.