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How to tackle this tricky situation with SENCO?

Floppyploppy

I am hoping you could all offer me some advice.  My daughter is in a mainstream high school and really not managing.  She was diagnosed while at primary.  She had an EP assessment a couple of months ago with a view to the school and us as parents making an application for a EHCP.  The problem is, the SENCO seems reluctant to know provide us with a copy of the report or the deatils of the EP so we can request a copy directly.  We have asked verbally, both face to face and over the phone and also emailed the SENCO several times.  (He ignores the requests and responds by talking about other issues to do with my child).  What is my next move?  Thank you in advance.

  • Looking at your link, sounds like the main difference is that IPSEA is a charity to me. The work they do with families sounds very similar, and also they aim to influence policy, which the IAS networks don't (I think).

    Good to have a couple of options I think.

  • I haven't come across IPSEA so I can't comment on them. I have previously spoken to my IAS service for advice (which was good and positive) and recently did some training with them so that I can volunteer with them once my DBS has cleared.

    So, I'm no expert and I don't speak on their behalf,  but as I understand it the IAS work with parents of children with SEN AND Disabilities as well as working with the young people themselves up to the age of 25. They are funded by the Local Authority but are at arms length and independent. They replace the Parent Partnerships and came about as part of the new legislation that changed things from IEP's about 2 years ago.

    I think that how they're organised varies from area to area (so where I am they train volunteers to assist parents/carers in preparing for meetings or attending meetings with them - which extends the amount they can do,  but not all area's use volunteers in that way) and I got the impression that how well funded they are might vary from area to area to (but not certain on that), so presumably their effectiveness varies from place to place as well, but definitely worth giving them a try.

    So yes, Floppy Poppy could well contact both and compare advice, they do say that two heads are better than one.

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Hi R

    That's interesting, I wasn't aware of that organisation. As far as I can see, IASSNetwork provides information about any issue for children with a disability whereas IPSEA provides information to children with special education needs. Obviously the two groups overlap although not all children with special needs are considered disabled.

    I guess FloppyPloppy could call both and see who can give better advice?

  • I haven't come across IPSEA but I do know that you will have a local Information Advice and Support Service that can offer free independent advice if you have a child with SENDs. www.iassnetwork.org.uk/about-us so I would talk to them.

    I believe that the school has to provide you with information if you ask them in writing, so I would send a recorded delivery letter to the SENCO and another copy to the head teacher, expressing your disappointment that you have not had a copy and very clearly an unabigously asking for one giving a (reasonable) timescale of when you want it by. If you've not recieved one by then you might want to consider looking up which of the Governors is repsonsible for SEN provision and writing to them and/or starting a formal complaint.

    Good luck

  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Have you tried contacting IPSEA who exist to help parents with children with special educational needs https://www.ipsea.org.uk/ ?