Back to school / ECHP

[crackerwest]

My son ( with FA) has just gone to secondary school. What sort of help to others get for their children with ataxia at school. Who has ECHP ? Many thanks

[majajefferies]

Hi,

It should all really depend on his abilities.

My son has DRPLA and he is now wheelchair-bound and non-verbal, therefore attends a special needs school who support him appropriately.

He attended mainstream secondary and the first thing we did was have a meeting with the teacher, SENCO and the Head and my advice is to request to have the meeting minuted and to take a friend with you as we had many issues afterwards of "you never told us that..."

We gave them a copy of his diagnosis, Ataxia UK have a few great publications you might want to give them as well, discussed his needs (at the time he had epilepsy and required monitoring, especially at swimming), medications he had to take in school hours, etc.

Arrange another meeting to review his proposed individual educational plan and go from there.

If you feel he needs an EHCP request it asap.

Good luck,

Maja

[DeniseLB]

I only know this as a friend of mine does this job and I also read Maja's post, the schools have to provide a special needs teaching assistant by law now that can be one on one, they cover every type of disability and they train hard for this, the rest as Maja said.

This is do know if schools are not providing this they are breaking the law! xx

[dansybelle in reply to DeniseLB]

Schools have a legal obligation to provide support detailed on individual children’s EHCPs and that is very rarely one-to-one support for all hours child is in school.

[DeniseLB in reply to dansybelle]

all I can tell you is that it is what my friend does for a living and she spends the whole day with one pupil from the moment they get to school to the point that they leave school. I do understand about a legal obligation and my sister was a teacher in St Albans and she was used to having at least one pupil in her class with an assistant in tow. I live in South East London, maybe it is different where you live or maybe the school is not willing to pay for the full day! Sorry if I have got anything wrong.

[dansybelle in reply to DeniseLB]

Please don’t apologise! I am an SEN teacher and I just wanted to make it clear that children only get a one-to-one assistant if it says that on their EHCP and it often doesn’t. School will only get funding for provision outlined on EHCP. I was making this clear because a lot of parents are under the misapprehension that if they get their child an EHCP then the school will have to supply an assistant, which is not usually the case.

[DeniseLB in reply to dansybelle]

Ok thank you for that and I bow down to your better knowledge! The crazy part is my friend is currently out of work due to budget cuts, she left a well paid job to study and was trying to find something that would fit around her two young kids and she is such a caring person.

[mimosaholland]

Hi, Its called an Education, health and care plan, ehcp, this should outline the extra support your son requires,this should include information from his health proffessionals, a report from his social worker, if he is lucky enough to have one. There should be a yearly review where all the above contribute. I was a social worker for children and young people with disabilities, so if i can help in any other way, just let me know. i am in the process of being medically retired due to SCA unknow type as yet. I hope all goes well for him. The report should be linked to his learning needs,so always attend the yearly meeting, as his progress in all areas is tracked.

Kind regards Mimosa

[Thomaslondon]

I work in the SEN department of a very large state school and write EHCPs for the pupils I keywork. This is a multi agency operation so can take some time. If your son is not known to the SENCO ( Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) then your first step is to bring your son's needs to their attention. Explain the extra measures your son had during his Primary education and bring in any supporting documents from outside agencies. (EP reports, Consultant recommendations, OT reports etc). Depending on your son's immediate needs, he will need to be assessed by the school and by the Educational Psychologist.

Schools are usually very good at putting together a timetable of support for SEN students despite budgets being very tight.

If you do have to battle with your school providing adequate provision than please do enlist the support from your local Council .

I wish you the best of luck and hope this next phase of your son's educational journey is a happy and supported one.

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My son's doctor signed a note to excuse him from being late for a whole year, so being that he can't move fast he takes the time he needs so when he gets to school he is not considered late.