This blog post was written on 22/3/2020

I have named the schools using just the initials, this is in order to protect both the identity and security of the schools and of Charlie, as this is a public space.

So much has happened lately! We are in the middle of the Corona virus outbreak, but more on that later! So, so far we had an Annual Review on the 9th March, there it was decided that the pupil referral unit was no longer meeting need (no surprises there) and that a different setting was needed. As you can probably guess, the LA did not turn up! Wouldn’t be the first time, as they didn’t turn up to the Annual Review last April when Charlie was being permanently excluded from a local mainstream setting after a very short stint there, under a plan. Ordinarily, if you have an EHCP, you shouldn’t even bounce back into the PRU like Charlie did. The PRU is really for assessment and redirection, where you should get the direct intensive support a child needs, when first permanently excluded and then when diagnosis/learning needs/plans are secured then the child can move onto a more specialist provision to support their learning needs. As the LA didn’t show for Charlie’s Annual Review (AR) in 2019, that meant there was no other option than for him to bounce back to the PRU.

So, 11 months later, we are now having another AR, and surprise surprise no direction or presence from the LA once again, which then meant that amendments couldn’t be made and my comments could not be taken into account.

Charlie’s case was then at panel on the 16th March, where it was decided that HH (a SEMH special school) was the provision that they would fund. I had previously emailed the caseworker, to confirm my worries on what a school as far out as Chesterfield would mean for us as a family. Especially, as I had decided that HG (an independent specialist school), which is just 10 mins away also offered a place. HG is an independent school, whereas, Holly House is a LA grant maintained school, and a whole deal cheaper, so the LA chose Holly House. What is not understood, which I would perhaps need to get costings to prove, is whether the school fees and the transport fees for HH would actually equate to the same costings as HG. As with HH we are talking about 250+ miles in taxis on the transport bill.

Yesterday (March 21st) I received Charlie’s final plan. 11 months after the last AR. This should of been received either 8 weeks (if no changes) or 20 weeks after the last review. The LA are in constant breach of SEND law in Charlie’s case, that much is evident. With the final plan came the decision on HH, and the guidance for appealing and going to tribunal. Which, is what our next steps are. I am going to appeal the decision and go to tribunal if needed to fight this case, and try and get our parental preference which is HG. It seems insane that the LA would choose to put an 8 yo with Autism, Anxiety, Sensory Processing Disorder, Challenging Behaviour and Learning Difficulties on a 50 minute minimum journey 25 miles away, when there is a school offering him a placement 5 miles away and 10 mins drive which I am volunteering to take him and pick him up from FOR FREE!!!!! And even if they were to pay my petrol it would equate to £4.50 a week!! These are crazy times, stressful and tbh uncalled for in a crisis.

Blog on corona virus coming next!!

Georgina x