I have received a reply from the SEND representative at the Department for Education following my complaint of just over a week ago. In it, the representative states the following:
“It is concerning to hear that Daniel has not been at school for such a long time. All children, including those with SEND, are entitled to a full-time education, unless this would not be appropriate for their needs. The local authority is responsible for ensuring that children have access to full-time education and should make suitable arrangements for Daniel while a school is being identified.
You mention that Daniel already has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. The local authority must name the school of your choice in the plan, unless it would not be suitable for Daniel’s special educational needs or his attendance there would not be compatible with the efficient education of others or the efficient use of resources. Schools cannot refuse the admission of children with EHC plans purely on the grounds they are full.”
Would you kindly tell me, therefore why, over the last nineteen months and despite my nominating XXXXX School as my first choice in Daniel’s EHCP, your department has led us on a wild goose chase both out of county and to specialist schools, landing us in this present situation?
In the course of the process, Daniel has been dumped out of the school he was attending following the advices given by its SENCO and the Case Manager; no school has been found for him to move to (hence the school should not have let him go); and it turns out that Daniel remains on the roll of XXXXX Primary School, which will by now have received half a term’s funding intended for my son. I have, meanwhile, been footing the bill for babysitters out of all of my Disability Living Allowance and Child Benefit, not to mention other costs associated with having a child at home full time. I therefore demand recompense, not only for monies laid out by me to cater for my son’s needs and my own, but for the tremendous stress and distress under which my son and I have been placed.
I currently operate at only a fraction of my capacity; I have had to give up my career-based training because my child has been at home full time and, even on my prescribed medication, I suffer mental and physical exhaustion and depressive episodes, between which I manage somehow to function, but with an enormous amount of support: my mother, babysitters and AA meetings to name but some.
It is my view that XXXXX should never have been placed in the position which he has occupied, as his intervention has led only to strife and breakdown in every sense. I wish to file a formal complaint against him, and I demand that XXXXX be held responsible for their role in this awful saga, including repayment of monies received for my son’s education and welfare, despite his not being at school.
Sincerely.
Rachael Pinder
ASD: on being a special-needs single parent 