Special School troubles - Update

What's Hot
2»

Comments

  • You'll quite often find that a school like that will have a specific "Nurture" group for kids that would benefit from being isolated from the rest of the school in a more supportive environment. It's worth asking the question, because that's certainly been the case in at least two of the SEMH schools I've worked in.

    My Trading Feedback    |    You Bring The Band

    Just because you're paranoid, don't mean they're not after you
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • munckeemunckee Frets: 12255
    You'll quite often find that a school like that will have a specific "Nurture" group for kids that would benefit from being isolated from the rest of the school in a more supportive environment. It's worth asking the question, because that's certainly been the case in at least two of the SEMH schools I've worked in.
    I've made an appt to see the school tomorrow so missus munckee can see it and we can discuss this sort of stuff so at the very least we come from an informed position when we meet the LA and the schools.  Have spoken to the private special school but they won't do showrounds unless the LA have conceded that a place is a possibility.

    It is quite irritating that at no point can you get any guidance or advice from anyone who's job is not to minimise the amount of money the LAs have to spend.

    As soon as you are outside of the box the education system is a nightmare to navigate.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • mr-macmr-mac Frets: 200
    Also get in touch with local ASD groups and national charities see if any local one stop shops/ local advice centres.  They will likely have good knowledge of all schools in area and how good or not their provision is.  
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • munckeemunckee Frets: 12255
    So we have been to see the 'prison' school which was great at what it does but no way could he cope there, he would have to make his own way round the school, they don't have personalised desks he could work at.  As they said they are about helping kids who get no home assistance so they spend most of their time feeding and dressing kids, which is depressing that it has to happen, but not what he needs.

    Had a meeting with the local authority his current school and the one they recommended.  It has been agreed by all parties he can't go to that school and we have two months to find a new school and arrange transition.  

    We have two additional SEMH schools to visit which are apparently a bit gentler than the one we have seen and the local authoruty have begrudgingly agreed we can go round the private school so we can choose whether to fight for it from an informed position, they were very twitchy about it though!

    Not that it really matters but everybody accepted they had stuffed up, what was particularly irritating is the woman from the Local Authority had to admit the potential school had visted my son in his current school and reported back to them last November that they couldn't cope with him - which they hid from us and ignored when providing his place.  B4stards....
    0reaction image LOL 1reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • mr-macmr-mac Frets: 200
    edited May 2018
    Hope one of the 3 looks like an amazing place for him.... It makes a huge difference to a kids life and family home life too when you get a good school who can handle the issues so your not expecting a call every second day.


    everything crossed for you 

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • blueskunkblueskunk Frets: 2866
    If you live in Greater Manchester and need help let me know. I have just started work for an amazing education and wellbeing school  
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • munckeemunckee Frets: 12255
    Thanks for the replies, I'm in Hampshire unfortunately.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • speshul91speshul91 Frets: 1397
    My nephew is autistic and none verbal, he adores school, and now you can actually pick out words he is saying, when their dog barks at the door he will say adam (my real life name) because its usually me popping round. 
    I really hope you get him into a school he likes good luck man. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Axe_meisterAxe_meister Frets: 4612
    Have you considered boarding for him. Think about west heath school in Sevenoaks. This is where my son goes. Although he does not board.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • munckeemunckee Frets: 12255
    So we've seen all of the schools which are no different to the original one that said they couldn't take him and the prison school.  Only exception of course is the private school for children with autism which is perfect and I would send any child there.  18 pupils, 40 staff individual bespoke education programmes and specialist behavioural management all by trained specialists in autistic children.

    We will of course be asking for that school, LA will of course say no (its a phenomenal cost and would be for 8 years) so we will be going to tribunal to try and get him a place I suspect.  That takes 3 months, upshot is because LA hid the local school's concerns from us last October, chances are he will have no school place from September while we have a massive legal fight to get him what he needs - which will cause him additional distress and make his behaviour worse.

    Most likely outcome is LA bribe the local school until they eventually agree they can take him then they do not need to fund the private school, despite it being in no-ones interests except theirs.

    Pow-wow meeting this afternoon to discuss with relevant parties!  I'm thinking of using the old take the pin out of the hand grenade until you get what you need negotiating tactic : )
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom
  • SnagsSnags Frets: 5326
    I'm going to stop moaning about having a cold. A couple of things in here have been good for perspective today :(

    Good luck.  Remember to stand next to the exit when you pull the pin. No point you going up with them ...
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • munckeemunckee Frets: 12255
    So after months of wrangling and much haggling with schools and the local authority got a call today from the LA saying they have concluded that all the other alternatives do not meet his needs and have granted him a place at the autistic private school to be reviewed when he is year 10 (4th year senior).  I am of course a double hard bastard but wept like a baby with relief after they told me and had to come home from work!

    Just about to phone his school to tell them the good news when my phone rang and it was his school "have you heard the news?" I asked them, "no, we are calling because we have excluded him for today and Monday as he punched a teacher!"

    Still all in all one of the best days of my life, had to apologise profusely to the teacher of course who was very kind about it.
    0reaction image LOL 2reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • MoominpapaMoominpapa Frets: 1649
    Glad to hear you had good news in the end - hope this marks the start of an easier time for you all.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • Bloody fantastic needs!! Chuffed to bits for you mate! 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • LuttiSLuttiS Frets: 2243
    Super happy for you! :)
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
  • boogiemanboogieman Frets: 12314
    Great news for you all, but especially your lad. My son has minor autistic traits and he’s been difficult enough to sort out over the years, so I can’t imagine how things are for you guys. All the best.  :p
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom
Sign In or Register to comment.