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School 1:1 disappearing - advice please

Bee68

My grandson, T, (aged 7) has been diagnosed with autism and learning disabilities. He speaks very few words, although he understands more (how much more is impossible to tell). He needs a lot of support and supervision throughout the day (and sometimes night). He's in his third year of school, so will be starting juniors in September.

Until this year, the school has been so good - he's had a 1:1 each year, a different 1:1 each year but he's got on well with each of them. This year, however, he's barely seeing his 1:1 because of school staffing issues. He used to enjoy school, but now he's coming home increasingly disregulated and distressed. The 1:1 has expressed her dissatisfaction about with the situation to my daughter. The class teacher, who has always been friendly and positive about T's education, has said she will talk to my daughter about it, but never gets round to setting up a meeting (we all understand she is extremely busy too).

My question is: As I understand the whole situation, T has a 1:1 because he's been diagnosed autistic with learning disabilities. The funding for the 1:1 has been released because of T's recognised needs. Obviously the 1:1 should be free to pitch in with other things from time to time, but they are there for T.

Is my understanding of the situation right?

I (we) would really appreciate any advice, thank you.

Parents

  • I am assuming that you are in UK, apologies if not. Does T have an EHCP? If so does it say in that EHCP that he is entitled for a 1:1 or there is paperwork that says how many hours is he funded for?

    I ask this because it makes a difference to how this is pursued. If he is funded for a 1:1 and this is stated in his EHCP then the school have a legal obligation to ensure he has that support. If this is the case then I would be calling a meeting with the SENCo of the school to discuss why he isn't getting that support and why they aren't ensuring it's in place. You can take this to the local authority if the school are not supportive.

    If he has an EHCP that states he needs 1:1 but is not funded for a 1:1, the school still legally still has to provide this even if they say they can't due to lack of funds. EHCPS are legally enforceable. Again, this needs to be discussed with SENCo.

    It gets more difficult if he either doesn't have an EHCP or it doesn't mention a 1:1. If it doesn't mention it, I'd ask why not if he's had 1 for 3 years. If he doesn't have an EHCP, I'd ask why not if they've been putting in that support. In the first case I'd call an emergency annual review and request that 1:1 funding is applied for. In the 2nd case I would be getting an EHCP application in ASAP. The school can do this or you can do it yourselves but you would need evidence from the school that it's needed.

    Hope that helps.

Reply

  • I am assuming that you are in UK, apologies if not. Does T have an EHCP? If so does it say in that EHCP that he is entitled for a 1:1 or there is paperwork that says how many hours is he funded for?

    I ask this because it makes a difference to how this is pursued. If he is funded for a 1:1 and this is stated in his EHCP then the school have a legal obligation to ensure he has that support. If this is the case then I would be calling a meeting with the SENCo of the school to discuss why he isn't getting that support and why they aren't ensuring it's in place. You can take this to the local authority if the school are not supportive.

    If he has an EHCP that states he needs 1:1 but is not funded for a 1:1, the school still legally still has to provide this even if they say they can't due to lack of funds. EHCPS are legally enforceable. Again, this needs to be discussed with SENCo.

    It gets more difficult if he either doesn't have an EHCP or it doesn't mention a 1:1. If it doesn't mention it, I'd ask why not if he's had 1 for 3 years. If he doesn't have an EHCP, I'd ask why not if they've been putting in that support. In the first case I'd call an emergency annual review and request that 1:1 funding is applied for. In the 2nd case I would be getting an EHCP application in ASAP. The school can do this or you can do it yourselves but you would need evidence from the school that it's needed.

    Hope that helps.

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