Complaints to Primary School and Transition to Secondary School help

Hello, 

Last week, my daugther was diagnosed as Autistic. 

We are yet to have our meeting with CAMHS to discuss the report, and I am feeling very overwhelmed by it all. My daugther was initially referrred for an ADHD assessment, following my diagnosis of ADHD and similar traits my daughter had to me. This was a self referral. 

For context, we went to daugher's school two years ago, with our concerns. The school senco brushed us off, and told us her behaviour was normal for a child her age. The school refuse to refer my daughter, and flat out refused to help. 

Fast forward two years later, we have some really lovely third party people at CAMHS behind us, urging the school to put things into place for the transition to secondary school, however the school do not engage, they do not put anything in place, other than a break during SATS. 

CAMHS have provided the school with workbooks, help guides, and other helpful information but it is not being used. 

The school kept me out of all contact with CAMHS, despite me asking to be included, invited us to meetings with CAMHS with 24 hours notice, and even lied to the assessor whilst they were conducting their assessment that my daugther didn't take to school the things we bought out of our own pocket to help in school. We asked the school to clarify with CAMHS that what they told the assessor was incorrect and they said they would. 

I asked for a copy of this communication, and whilst CAMHS said it wouldnt matter, they would take on board what we had said and what they had seen, the school sent a piece of paper with the dates that they had communication with CAMHS. 

I am extremely worried about the transition to secondary school, as my child is already anxious, I am worried that the school are very good at telling CAMHS what they will do, but do not actually do it. 

I have prepared a Subject Access Request to the school, so I can see if they have prepared the new school of neurodiversity concerns, and what they have discussed with CAMHS, and i know this will not turn back the clock as to how we have been treated, but i am hoping that a complaint will stop another parent going through a battle with the school to get them to listen. 

Has anyone sent a subject access request to their child's school before? 

Is a subject access report the way to go, will it help me see what needs to be done in secondary school?

Has anyone got any advice on how i can prepare my child for the transition as i have no confidence in that the school are going to prepare her for the move. 

I am also still angry that her teacher lied to camhs or "Misinformed" as the school put it, and also told CAMHS they had put several things in place, when in fact, we as parents did. 

Thanks in advance, and if this is in the wrong section, i apologise, i just do not know which way to turn, and I just want to be sure that the move to big school is smooth for my daugther. 

Parents
  • I don't know anything about a subject access request. Sorry. But I hope the following helps.

    But my biggest question would be does she have an ehcp? This is the document that legally binds schools to support and would help with the transition to secondary school as all support would be laid out in it and schools should legally follow it.

    There would be little point asking the primary school to sort this now if she is already in year 6. However, you can apply to start the process yourself. This would hopefully mean you could get it in place early into her secondary journey.

    I would also get ahead of the game and ask to meet with the secondary school themselves. You can request a meeting to discuss your daughter's needs ahead of her starting there. I would ask that this meeting be minuted and any agreed support put down in writing. 

Reply
  • I don't know anything about a subject access request. Sorry. But I hope the following helps.

    But my biggest question would be does she have an ehcp? This is the document that legally binds schools to support and would help with the transition to secondary school as all support would be laid out in it and schools should legally follow it.

    There would be little point asking the primary school to sort this now if she is already in year 6. However, you can apply to start the process yourself. This would hopefully mean you could get it in place early into her secondary journey.

    I would also get ahead of the game and ask to meet with the secondary school themselves. You can request a meeting to discuss your daughter's needs ahead of her starting there. I would ask that this meeting be minuted and any agreed support put down in writing. 

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