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Not eligible for school trip

Sarah_Mc

Hello, I need some advice on what's lawful here.  I have been advised my son is not eligible for his end of school residential trip without a discussion or reasons. He is not a flight risk or at risk of harm, he has high anxiety.  Can they do this without a discussion? What's worse is he is at an autism specialist school, I am so upset and concerned that when my son finds out from his peers potentially it will give him feelings of isolation, failure, and have negative results on his already struggling self-esteem... Any advice welcomed.

  • Dear Sarah_Mc,

    Thank you for posting on our Online Community. I am sorry to hear that you have been told your son is not eligible for his end of school residential trip without discussion or reasons. We understand why you are concerned.

    It may be of in your interest to visit our online advice and guidance which includes information on education for autistic children https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/school-education  

    Please visit our online advice and guidance which explains more about school exclusion: https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/exclusions    

    If you require further support, you may like to contact the following regional organisations:  

    England  

    • Every local area has a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service that can provide information, advice and support to parents and carers of children and young people with SEND, including on exclusions:  www.kids.org.uk/sendiass  
    • Independent Provider of Special Education Advice is a registered charity that offers free and independent information, advice and support to help get the right education for children and young people with all kinds of SEND: www.ipsea.org.uk/   
    •  Coram’s Child Law Advice service can be accessed through their website or contacted on 0300 330 5485 from Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm: childlawadvice.org.uk/.../  
    • SOS!SEN offers a free, term-time, national helpline, staffed by a team of volunteers, to provide next step advice and support on questions and issues parents may have relating to their child’s SEN provision: https://sossen.org.uk/services/helpline/ Their helpline number is 0208 538 3731.  

    Wales  

    • SNAP Cymru provide advice on a variety of issues that a child or young person may encounter during their education www.snapcymru.org/.../  

     Scotland  

    • Enquire provide advice about additional support for learning for children attending school enquire.org.uk/   
    • Govan Law Centre’s Education Law Unit provide legal advice on the rights of pupils with additional support needs govanlawcentre.org/.../   

     Northern Ireland  

    • The Children’s Law Centre provides a free legal advice service and legal representation for children and young people: childrenslawcentre.org.uk/ 
    • The NI Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) and their work is focused on making sure children and young people have access to their rights in their day-to-day lives, so they have the best opportunity to reach their full potential https://www.niccy.org/ 

    I hope this is helpful.

    Kind Regards,

    Rosie Mod

  • As has been pointed out already, we cannot get involved in legal advice nor complexities. 

    However, as a general point, I'd suggest it might be advantageous to arrange a meeting with the school to discuss the particular reasons why your son isn't eligible for this trip.  If you had a full explanation it might make the decision easier to accept - and possibly also easier for you to explain to your son in due course.

    I am sorry that he is unable to go on this trip.  Hopefully there will be alternatives in time to come. 

  • Hi Sarah

    Sarah_Mc said:
    I need some advice on what's lawful here

    Unfortunately, we're not allowed to offer legal advice to each other here (per rule 6 here).

    You might find the general advice here helpful - it covers working with your child's school, local or education authority to resolve differences:

    NAS - Resolving differences