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Post by feezee on Dec 5, 2013 16:35:13 GMT
So my LO (7) struggles in queues, transition times, and it always gets worse up to Christmas. He is not statemented because they decided he wouldn't be 'bad enough' to warrant an assessment ( he is not so volatile this term). I paid for an attachment educational psychologist (deputy head of a SEN school) to go in and train them up. so he fights in the queue yesterday morning and what does the HEAD do ( also the SEN). He is told by them that his PUNISHMENT is to queue up by himself. so this morning he is super anxious, refuses to go to school, has a tummy ache and says he wants to leave the school and get himself excluded. He is made to walk into class from lunch by himself parallel to the rest of his classmates. the teacher/home communication book is positioning this as helping him be less anxious because he is away from other kids. someone please tell me to calm down about this. I am so furious! Should I be? How can I stay calm when I go and tell this so called Head where to shove her 20+ years of SEN experience?  ? Feezee - fuming! |
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Post by imp on Dec 5, 2013 17:25:02 GMT
Yes feezee I would be angry. What to do? perhaps he can be 'ill' for a few days?
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Post by feezee on Dec 5, 2013 18:40:26 GMT
I wish I could! No holidays left_{ I think I just need to get a few choice phrases together like "you will be standing him in the corner facing the wall next"., "that discipline approach went out in the 60's" and "exactly what did you get from the (expensive) session all your staff did paid for by me" ? I know, that way ends in maximum resistance.... Still furious hours later Feezee |
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Post by phoebe on Dec 5, 2013 19:34:01 GMT
Feezee, the best thing to do is to politely explain that for children with attachment /trauma issues. we have to model the required behaviour and be alongside them. This means that whatever your child needs to be doing, somebody responsible needs to be doing it alongside them. Perhaps that can be the head? If your child is struggling with the level of support, then they need to increase it. If they are school action plus, and that is not enough, then they need to look at statementing next. You can apply for the statement yourself. If they turn you down, they will still make recommendations on what school needs to do instead, so you'll have the weight of the Ed Psych behind what you are asking for. Has your child been assessed by anyone outside school? Might be worth asking TSS or SEND team from LA to support ? x |
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Post by feezee on Dec 5, 2013 21:16:57 GMT
Thanks Phoebe.
What is TSS and SEND? He would I ask for that?mdo I ask the school (I would prefer not to as I think they are carp)
He hasn't had any formal (NHS or CAMHS) assessment although we got a report from Catchpoint.
If I apply for statementing myself do I getnthemedmpsychologist to assess or does the LA do that?
Cheers
Feezee
A bit calmer now .....
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Post by phoebe on Dec 5, 2013 21:28:30 GMT
TSS - teaching support service
SEND - Special Educational Needs & Disability team
The LA should have trained consultants available who the school can buy in to carry out more detailed assessments where they cannot manage themselves.
If you apply for a statement, and they consider your application worth pursuing, they will send the LA EdPsych into school to observe your child in class and meet with them and their teachers. Do you have plenty of evidence to support your application?You will need to put together a convincing package of evidence. You can ask PArent PArtnership to help you write your application if you are unsure. x
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Post by feezee on Dec 6, 2013 12:37:29 GMT
Thanks Phoebe,
The school are reluctant to spend anything. They say they are managing (NOT!).
Most of the evidence is based on school/home comms, school letters (eg little Jimmy punched freddie, stole matches and lied, and was sent to the head 3 times, next-time-it's-exlusion type letters) and a (rather flimsy) IEP or two, backed up by a Catchpoint assessment and report. I could probably get a CAMHS letter of support for assessment/statement if I pushed.
At least now I know what my options are. I wonder if I could find a list of LA approved Ed Psychs.....
Feezee
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Post by phoebe on Dec 6, 2013 20:27:51 GMT
Feezee, your virtual school might be able to provide or fund an Ed Psych, in my LA they have responsibilty for adopted as well as LAC, and from April, I'm sure all Virtual Schools will be picking up adoptees. I know it's a while, but might be worth mentioning? How about speaking with Parent Partnership to suss out how co-operative the LA are?
Don't rush to pay for anything, they often disregard private assessments!
Ask to talk through their staged response to LOs difficulties, and ask for copies of the amended IEPs from each consecutive adjustment. IF they haven't been modifying there is your evidence they are not meeting the child's needs! Remember targets have to be short term, specific and achievable - no generics! SOSSEN may have suggestions on their website.
The Virtual school normally has an achievement co-ordinator who could come to meetings with you?
PASW could also be helpful in the meetings? School often pay more attention once you bring in other agencies. x
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Post by moo on Dec 7, 2013 7:26:38 GMT
{{{feezee}}}
Some fab advice from phoebe....
Any other better schools nearish?? Sounds to me like it's can't & won't rather than yes & will deffo try attitudes!!!
{{{}}} for your l/o... This must be really scarey for him.... I am genuinely shocked... ( why I don't know coz this seems to be schools goal right now.... Do the absolute opposite & be confused when it scares & shames our wonderful l/o's beyond recognition!!! )
Good Luck I really hope you can sort them out xx
Xx. moo. Xx
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Post by feezee on Dec 8, 2013 20:46:03 GMT
Thanks both Phoebe and Moo.Phoebe, I found an example IEP on SOSSEN and compared it to my LOs IEP. There were no specific 'hows' to show how they were going to help acheive it, nor were there any short term objectives, SMART goals etc, and how they would be able to measure if he was successful. I was poopoo'd (they looked at me as if i was talking through my b#m) as a nosy troublesome parent for daring to say that I thought the IEP was missing a load of information. They declined to complete it saying there was more stuff on the old one and that they would add more as they went along. I ensured there is an email from me saying politely that I thought the IEP didn't contain the detail to show exactly what they were doing to support him (this after a letter from school with the latest misdemeanour he had been sent to the Head about). I would be surprised if they have made any adjustments.
What is and where is a virtual school ?
We have finally got a social worker and am meeting her next week so I wonder if I could get her to support me. Your suggestions of PP and the achievement co-ordinated are great, thank you.
Moo, I won't jump to get a private assessment, you are right. I suppose I would like to be in a position of power before moving my child to a potentially more clued up school....I just find the arrogance - we know what we are doing - flabbergasting.
Another Sunday night with LO dreading going to school on monday.......
Feezee
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Post by phoebe on Dec 8, 2013 21:44:49 GMT
Virtual School is a team of staff in the LA who work to monitor and improve the achievements of LAC and in many authorities they deal with adopted children too. From April I think they all have to take on remit for adoptees. They will have experienced Head teachers, Ed PSych, etc. They can support your lo and challenge school about good practise. I would ask them to set up a meeting with you and the SENCO to get things moving. Also, if you ask PArent PArtnership, they will have retired SENCOs who can help you challenge the IEP. x
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Post by feezee on Dec 9, 2013 18:05:10 GMT
Phoebe
Thank you thank you. This is fantastic.
He has been reinstated in the queue today but had another scuffle so they are trying him t the back. I asked if they have someone adult standing next to him and I didn't get a clear answer.Unfortuntely I can't ask LO as I normally don't get the truth....
Feezee - thinking there is a way forwards!
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Post by littlemisscheerful on Dec 9, 2013 21:27:22 GMT
Have you got Louise Bomber's Inside I'm hurting?
I'm sure there are good explanations in there as to why children might struggle in queues. Also, lots of practical (and cheap) ideas to help children who struggle.
With my ED I always had the sense that being in the middle was a sensory overload for her, - so her place was always at the front of the queue.
Poor you, and him. They don't sound terribly helpful.
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