CAMHS & SCHOOL FRUSTRATION.

Are you aware that in several counties the educational psychology department takes parental refferals?  You may be able to contact them directly, thus maing the school opinion irrelevant.

hi mrs j

Since writing this post in october, we have had Camhs cancel yet another appointment so although complaining did get her seen slightly sooner than we would have waited didnt change much by way of them letting her down yet again.

Sounds like you have done alright with school, good for you sounds like a lucky boy having you for a mum, fighting his corner and all.

i feel like some what of a let down, i have been constantly battling for support from school since before writing this post and have got no where, the school does not feel she needs an additional help at this time, and are sticking by their guns that she is just "naughty"-set of ignorant sods, and we still have no diagnosis due to appointments being cancelled over and over again

i have asked for an ed psychologist to be involved but school keep dodging the issue, i have repeatedly asked for an iep they just say they dont do it because of their academy status, somthing to do with the funding agreement being drawn up before new guidelines were put in place, i have also asked for a formal reply as to why they feel she does not need school action or school action plus but have had none, plenty of letters about her worrying behaviour and plenty about her having to be removed from class yet none about how they are helping her with her difficulties which in part are caused by teachers who are it would appear  provoking her.

i am torn between taking this up with the education secretary, and just giving it up and returning to home education saving the entire family the continued stress caused by this disgracefull school. At least when she is at home we only have to deal with the day to day things not all of the additional stress she is under due to school on top of it all.

i would consider moving school but there is to me no point, my other daughter is in a special school even they cant get it right.

Wow! This sounds like my 12 year old son. We are fairly sure, as are the teaching staff and SENCOs who have worked with him, that he has Asperger syndrome. He was, however, assessed and discharged from CAMHS aged 6. Things seemed to have hit rock bottom recently and, after getting sick and tired of having CAMHS repeatedly refuse to reassess him, I wrote to my MP to express my feelings and (sure enough) they've now made him a priority case! I'd highly recommend writing to your MP to give them a nudge. 

With regards to her education, have the school brought in an Educational Psychologist? Have they drawn up an IEP? These should be the first things I'd expect them to do! Have you considered getting a Statement of SEN? Forgive me if she already has one - you didn't mention it, so I assumed not. If so, that might be something to consider - my son's first primary school, who ended up excluding him, laughed me out of the office when I enquired about it but I ignored them and went to the local authority and applied myself. I was successful in obtaining one for him. 

I can fully sympathise with you because I'm in precisely the same position - in fact, my son isn't currently attending school at all, having being recently excluded from high school due to his "behaviour" - I've chosen to homeschool him until he has a proper diagnosis and I can find a school that really is geared up to meet his individual needs.

I hope you get the help and support you need.

I ended up getting my MP involved after camhs refused to see my son on 4 occasions, within a month he had been seen and the ball was rolling.

i know it's horrible to complain but remember your complaining about the service not the staff and regardless of anything you are looking out for your child - maybe she your DD sees you fighting her corner it will help her to see that there are people fighting for her? :)

good luck x

@mum of 3 - thanks for reply, i know about all the stuff the schools supposed to do, ive allready had the misfortune of having to bang my head against a brick wall 2 x previous with my other kids. Trouble is they just dont ever seem to get it. i have spoken to school multiple times, taken the liberty of e mailing each individual teacher my daughter has in an attempt to explain her "defiance and ill behaviour" and how they they are most likely misinterpreting her behaviour. Im going in to school tommorow to speak to them, and i will be having a few choice words about her feelings being completley ignored and shall not be moving untill the school accepts it needs to be a little more accomodating for her and supporting. Im sorry your son suffered also with low self esteem, how did you guys get through it how did you deal with it?

@getting there - Im not at all impressed with CAMHS, my other kids all got diagnosed through cdc, much, much, better. when they phoned earleir to cancel i was really quite cross. they didnt really seam to care to be honest, if this is the norm i bet theres already loads of distressed, upset and let down people racking up complaints, i will write a letter for an explanation, 3 cancellations is pretty rubbish. Thnks for support.

Dear HappyDays,

How rotten for you.  I think it is time to get tough with the CAMHS people.  Put on your thickest skin, phone them and ask for the details of the Head of Department.  Are they attached to the council?  (I can't remember).  If so, get the name of the most senior person you can - even the head of the council or your MP.  Write to them all explaining that 3 cancellations is unacceptable and that this is hurting your daughter.  Someone needs to take responsibility for her and stop mucking you both around.  Tell them that you want the first call if someone cancels their appointment.  I remember being told that it was a 9 month wait for the Paed, just to get confirmation of ASD for my son's statement.  It would have delayed his school start by 6 months!  I was polite but firm, told them that it was unacceptable and hey presto, an apt within 6 wks.  I am sure you have done everythings else you can, it is a nightmare, I think you have got to the stage where you have to start scaring people a bit.  Most professionals do not expect to be challenged as the majority of parents are so loaded down with all they have to deal with the last thing they can take on is another fight.  The good thing is that senior people absolutely HAVE to be seen to respond......

Best of luck with this - it is horrendous that you and your daughter have been treated so badly.  Be scary.... x