few questions about getting Louis back to school.

[fiorelli]

Is this down to me or the LEA?

 

How long do I have before they start trying to fine me/haul me into court?

 

Where do I have to send him to school? (catchment is oversubscribed, next closest is the one he has just been excluded from, and next closest is not a very nice school, not very good with SEN, and too far away to get him to when I have to get Middle Son to his school)

 

Can I try and hold out and see if they agree to a statement?

 

Can I ask them to send him to the EOTAS unit he has been going to while we sort out a statement/school?

 

What if no-one will take Louis because of the reasons he was excluded from last school? What happens?

 

 

I will be asking the LEA this tomorrow, but would like an idea beforehand just in case they try fobbing me off.

[mossgrove]

My 2p worth

 

It is the LEA's responsibility to find a school that meets your sons needs.

 

Do not worry about being fined/hauled to court. Since you are plainly doing your best to try and get your son an education, I can't see SS getting involved for months or even years, if at all.

 

I would contact your statementing officer ASAP. It seems perfectyly plain to me that your son needs specialist provision that cannot be provided in mainstream. If the LEA do not have the provision in house they should fund private provsion.

 

It is entuirely reasonable to ask that he goes to the unit while they sort a school out. That is exactly what I would do in your situation.

 

A school cannot refuse to take a pupil because that have SEN. They may be reluctant, but the LEA should be able to twist their arm. But I am not sure he should be in mainstream at all.

 

I hope this helps

 

Stay strong, you are doing an incredible job in very trying circumstances

 

Simon

[annie]

<'> Fiorelli <'>

 

My heart goes out to you. I know you will fight all the way .

 

This may help.

 

http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/b...guidance/part7/

 

Annie

<'>

[fiorelli]

Simon,

 

I KNOW he shouldn't be in mainstream. In an ideal world, then yes, possibly. BUT, he cannot cope, so special school is the way to go, but as you know, you can't get this unless you have a statement.

 

Catch-22.

 

I have a busy day tomorrow!!!

[Kazzen161]

>>Can I try and hold out and see if they agree to a statement?

 

But that could take months, and they could still argue for him to go to mainstream + while he is not in school/EOTAS, no one is collecting evidence of what he can/cannot cope with.

 

>>Can I ask them to send him to the EOTAS unit he has been going to while we sort out a statement/school?

 

That would seem to be the logical thing to do - but EOTAS may refuse, as they are supposed to be a short-term placement, with the intention of getting him back into mainstream. If you can persuade them to take him, at least you will have someone else hassling the LEA to sort out a suitable placement! It helped my friend.

 

You say special school will be best - have you been to see the special school the LEA would suggest? In N Hants many of the special schools are not appropriate for children with AS (from personal experience), so make sure you are confident it would be suitable before asking for it. I have PM'd you - if you let me know where in N Hants you are, I can tell you more about the schools/LEA.

 

Karen

[fiorelli]

Kazzen, I have PM'd you back.

 

I know that none of the special schools in our area are suitable. We have had the EP and Paed tell us that the nearest school is in Andover. As we are right on the border with Berkshire (literally - I can walk 5 minutes to the border!), I am holding out hope that they let us go the other way into Reading. I have heard that although it is difficult, there are children from the area going there.

 

I understand what you have said about there is no-one collecting information if he is out of school.