Advice for primary SEN please

[Floridatilly]

Does anyone have any knowledge or advice to what we can do or where to get more information regarding extra help and support in primary school.
He is currently in year 4 but missed all of year 3 bar a couple of weeks and continues to miss a lot of school due to ill health, appointments, infusions and shielding (currently off shielding again). So he does have a health care plan.
When he is in school he is taken out of class once a week by the OT (unfortunately in the morning so misses Maths and some English).
He has autism as well and doesn’t communicate with adults (apart from a select few) in class he won’t get involved, won’t ask questions or answer questions, he just sits quietly. He struggles with writing, fine and gross motor skills (hence OT).
Every time he misses school it is extremely difficult to get him back in school, he cries at night, cries going into school, he is withdrawn and very down. He worries about doing any work wrong and finds it really hard to understand when he has missed days at a time (but won’t ask or say he is struggling).
On our last school meeting my husband and I asked about getting Mason a EHCP but school said that he doesn’t need one nor does he qualify for one. They said that they are confident they can cope with any needs he has and promised that if he needs to shield they will provide a room and teacher or TA to allow him to go in for an hour to do the maths & English that his class are doing so that he doesn’t fall further behind.
(He won’t do work at home, this causes massive meltdowns, home is his sanctuary and safe place).
He is currently off shielding but school don’t have any provisions to allow him in 🤔. This was their suggestion not mine. So what happens now?
He has missed so much school and falling further and further behind, thus getting more anxious about going i to school. He will continue to miss school so its a vicious circle.
School were really against a EHCP but surely if they had more funding they could have the provisions needed to teach him for an hour away from the other children?
I know schools are struggling with staff shortages and they all work really hard. But they seem to make lots of promises but don’t follow through.
With his needs, (health, physical and mental) surely he should get extra help? Would an EHCP but beneficial?

[VeryexcitedH]

I would say an EHCP would be beneficial, from professional and personal experience. They do take a long time to complete and process, it's approximately 20 weeks I think.

Look at this website for further guidance:
ipsea.uk/Pages/Category/who-we-are

[jndt]

Some schools seem to be against them because they have a legal obligation to carry out what they say!

My son is now 12 and at a SILC. He got an EHCP before covid so things have changed a little bit and LEAs seem more reluctant to assess after MAP meetings. You don't need the school to apply - you can do it yourself by filling in the EHC2 form. The LEA will send the school their paperwork which they must complete.

If you are considering a SILC you will need an ECHP to apply. How do you think he will cope in mainstream high school? My son went to mainstream primary and it was clear he was just about coping (who wants their child to just stay above water but we had no alternative) but high school would be too difficult for him.

My son, who has autism, is at a partnership school. He attends the SILC base but has access to mainstream for certain lessons. He is so happy. There are only 10 in his class so the whole place is very calm and nurturing. The children are taught at their individual level and he's doing really well.

It would be beneficial to start the EHCP process soon as it can take a year or longer if it is initially a no at panel (you can go to tribunal and these always win in my experience).

I admit there doesn't seem to be enough places at primary school level to accommodate all the children who need specialist help or support. Here the SILC primaries seem to be for children with more severe needs.

[ClaireNJ]

I’m no expert FT but why have the school said he wouldn’t get a EHCP, I thought the schools like them especially as they can get more money for the educational needs for the child
I think with all his disabilities he’d definitely get one
Have you not thought of a Specialist school for him
This way when he misses school there would not be so much pressure for him to catch up
I’ve taken many Autistic children to school over the years & they’ve all had the plan
ATM I’m taking a visually impaired 14 year old girl, she’s got the plan too
Good luck ❤️X
I hope Mason is ok apart from shielding again 😩😷

[jenn8400]

I'm a bit surprised if your son has a confirmed diagnosis of autism that he does not already have an EHCP. My oldest DS had one in place as soon as school started (he was diagnosed at 2). My younger DS is now 9 and we are still going through the diagnostic process with CAHMS but school are now+ pushing ahead with the plan without diagnosis as it is obvious he needs support. Do you have a good relationship with the school SENCO? At this point I'm talking to ours a couple of times a week with updates and trying to work out any help that can be provided at school. Also I would advise to reach out to CAHMS and your LEA to make them all aware of the situation. It's not easy but I have found you really have to be an advocate for your child (sometimes to the point of being a pain in peoples behinds!).

[ely3857]

Originally Posted by ClaireNJ

I’m no expert FT but why have the school said he wouldn’t get a EHCP

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Because they’re legally obliged to follow an EHCP. If he doesn’t have one school retain an element of autonomy on what they do/don’t do for SEN children.

[Jakey Neverland]

I would 100% be going for an EHCP, unfortunately it is lengthy and each year its a fight to keep funding etc but would guarantee he is supported.

[mushumadness]

My daughter is on the last step to get her ehcp and it’s taken three years here to do that
Many different people seen etc

My sons diagnosed autistic and his was a little faster as they knew when he was 2

But some schools don’t like them because they are legally bound to comply and parents can complain when they arnt doing it

[alkel2730]

My son has an EHCP in reception and I started the process when he was in preschool. He will need reports that feed into it from school but if they won’t start the process you definitely can and should and they will then need to come aboard. You know him best, do what you need to get the support.

[alkel2730]

To add, have a look at Send Family instincts on Facebook, it is run by someone who helps with EHCPs and has loads of advice. You can also go on parenting courses - my husband did so we knew what to add.