Published on 12, July, 2020
Son is 15 now. Hes had "issues" for around two years but only got formally diagnosed last october (I guess we all know what CAMHS are like). CAMHS at the time sent the letter to school also.
We've had various conversations over the years with the school with various head of years etc. For instance, he has a bit of a toilet thing so they let him use disabled toilets. They did also sort out counselling with a person that came to the school.
Fast forward to last week. School parents evening. NONE of his teachers knew he had been diagnosed.
Had a chat with the Special Needs teacher. Sat next to her was a lady who I remembered. So I mentioned son to her - never heard of him, not aware. Her assistant had and had arranged the counselling sessions (but obviously had not told her colleague). I asked why they hadn't informed his teachers - not seen the letter.
Turns out the letter arrived at the school last October and has only now been seen by the Special Needs lady. Nice one. Even then only because I mentioned it at parents evening.
She phoned today and was really rude. Not her fault apparently and, anyway, we should be grateful that a meeting has now been sorted in MAY between CAMHS and the school. This should all have happened 18 months ago!
Surely a Special Needs teachers job is to read letters from CAMHS about the pupils? Otherwise I can't see the point.
They have been useless. Whats the best way to complain? To the governors? MP? Council?
You are right it is the senco's responsibility to inform relevant persons regarding a child deemed as having special needs it is one of the main parts of their job. Even prior to your sons diagnosis she should have been aware that he was awaiting assessment and presented you with information about what the school can do to support him this is all clearly defined in the 2014 revised Sen code of practice.
As for complaints, start with the head teacher as they are responsible for the senco doing their job. If head gives you an unsatisfactory response go to the governors,
Have you applied for an ehcp for school from local authorities as the school will have to comply with this.
what an ehcp?
Education health care plan it is an agreement that is put in place so the school get extra funding from local authorities to provide additional support for your child
https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help
Link for information on direct gov, also check education pages on here they give loads of info about them
Worryingly - it seems it would never have made it to the senco. It had arrived at school and been "filed". Only because I told them it had been sent did they go and look for it and find it. Worrying.
Agreed there are ways to communicate with staff and with parents i.e. there is no reason to be rude. 4-5 months is a long time