It’s taken me a while to write this catch up. We’ve been in limbo for a long time. It’s been very difficult for me and it’s been quite emotional. I keep Charlie very shielded from all the decisions and stress of his education, he already struggles so much with the concept of education I don’t want him to have any extra concerns so I do keep the ongoing battles with the LA away from him. The only thing he is really concerned about is whether or not he has to go to school! Because actually he is SO much happier being home educated. And we are really working towards making this a reality now. As Charlie is SEN and has an EHCP all education provision has to pass through the LA and the EHCP has to reflect the provision he is in. Our provision will now be EOTAS (Education Other Than A School) and that is what will be named in section I placement details.

So, we have had several months where this has been stagnant. Where we have not moved forward with our EOTAS plan, purely as we have had to wait for the clinical psychologist from the school to observe and report. This report has now gone to the LA 6 weeks ago and it should be enough evidence to now kickstart the EOTAS plan in place. But so far I have not received any support or guidance from the LA on this. We have been awaiting an assessment from CAMHS for over a year now, it is into the 14th month. The latest on that is that we have been assigned a specialist community advisor. Her role is to gather evidence to decide what support we can receive. Part of this process is to contact school. I have attempted (and failed) to inform them that this is a pointless exercise considering Charlie has not attended school in several months. However, they are insisting that they need this first. It is definitely a pointless exercise.

Finally, we have started a course of play therapy. We are 4 weeks in and I am really hopeful that it will be an added benefit to us. This is nothing to do with social care, school or the LA it is completely separate and it is an independent charity. It blows my mind that the services that get funding and are there to support you can never find time/staff/funding to support you, yet small independent charities that have to fight hard to stay afloat are literally willing to give you their support and time for free. It really is incredible sometimes.

I will of course, try to update these blogs more and and try to keep you updated. Sometimes, having the mental energy to do this can be suffocating. When I can, I will write a blog on my mental health lately, as it has taken a bit of a battering and it is hard to focus on what needs to be done when I feel as though I am drowning.

Take care all

Georgina x