[silver-birch]

Hello we are newbies.

We have a son with special educational needs in mainstream primary education. He is fully statemented with full one to one support. To get this was a real struggle as we had to drag our LEA virtually to the tribunal door before they agreed he needed this.

The problem we have is that on several occasions we have been called by the school to pick up our son who is too sick to stay. On arrival at school we find him ok and on getting home all seems well.

This seems to coinside with staff shortages especially if the class teacher is absent and they have a supply teacher in.

Our conclusion is probably obvious but we would really appreciate any comments or advice on how to proceed from anyone who has experience of this.

Regards
Silver-birch

[Julie]

Hello Silver-birch and welcome to Special Families.

We are in a similar position to you - our son is in mainstream with a statement and has one-to-one all day.  I have been called into school to collect him as he claimed to not be feeling well only to find that he positively skipped down the path to the school gate!  However, in our case it wasn't anything to do with the school, it was our son trying to pull one over on the teachers.  And it worked a couple of times, but then they got wise to it and resisted calling me.

I hope you don't mind me asking, but are you sure that its to do with the school?  Could it be a similar situation to ours maybe?  Just a thought, and I hope you don't take offence by this suggestion.  If you are sure that its to do with the school then I would have to speak to them about it.

Hope it all works out for you in the end.

[silver-birch]

Hello Julie, thank you for your reply and welcome.

We are certain it's not our son as his understanding is not yet at that level. The last time this happened he had a high temperature but on getting to school he was skipping around - different to the sick, listless child we were expecting. On getting home, his temp. was normal but we took him to the doctor to have him looked at. The doctor could find nothing wrong but would not be drawn into commenting on our concerns re. the school.

As we said the conclusion seems obvious. We would like to talk to the school but as we have to leave our son, do not want to rock the boat if other options are available. Also it is proving what we belive to be taking place.

Any ideas or experiences  would be a great help.

Regards
Silver-birch

[Speeds]

Hi and welcome.

My son has a 121 at Mainstream and in the very rare times he has been sent home his 121 is actually there with him.

Personally I would do as I did - if you can that is - and get involved in the school on a day 2 day basis but not with your son's class - there is always something to do and then you can see for yourself.

Also I would ask to speak to his 121 when you collect as you "have been asked by his paed to collect a detailed description of the events" (regardless of if you have or haven't).

I agree you need to tread carefully but I would want to get to the bottom of this  - including hanging about at going in time and seeing his 121 in situ.

Sorry - sound very devious but I think that you need to do your own snooping so that you have your facts - without asking for the personal sign in sheets (or something that proves the 121 is there) it will be difficult - also you will be able to "spy" and see what is going on in your son's class - i.e. is his 121 deployed elsewhere.

Also, ask for their SN policy on handling of staff changes.  Just ask so that you know you can prepare your child and also understand what happens and how the supply knows about your son.  TBH a class teacher absence or supply teacher in should not change the 121 issues in the class. 

Lastly, the next devious bit - get to know some of the louder kids in the class as their parents and get them to talk to you - it is surprising how much you can learn from other kids!!!!!

Hope this helps a little - even if it is devious and do talk to the school - your SENCo should help and also you should have a statment review meeting soon - call one sooner if you need the Ed Psych or someone else independent there to help.