Minutes:
Sam Farr spoke to the committee in relation to her 12-year-old son who has special education needs. Sam started by saying that three minutes is not enough time to highlight the failings her family has faced from the education system.
“My 12-year-old son who since birth has had multiple surgeries and hospital stays, attended mainstream primary and secondary schools where he sat outside the classroom with 1-2-1 supervision. In year four, his case was due to be heard at a higher needs panel, but this did not happen for two years and eventually it was decided that a specialist placement should be sought.
In February 2023 when high school placements were announced, my son did not get one. I had questioned the content of his plan on numerous occasions; 17 schools had received information that my son was in nappies and could only manage two hours at school. This was not true. I was told this information was historic but relevant, but the plan suggested this was the current situation.
I requested a reassessment of his needs. It was declined. I appealed. The tribunal date is a year away. I then received contact from the legal team who wanted to reassess his needs. I feel this was rushed; there were no pushbacks unless I hounded and there were still no yeses to finding him a place.
The reasons for refusal included –
• Cannot rule out a corridor crush
• Staff not adequately trained
• Not suitable with the cohort – if anyone can explain this one to me, please do.
These were legal responses from specialists you approve. I started to contact the schools myself but couldn’t get a foot in the door so how could I possible name my preference. I did however find a school in July 2024 without any help or input from the local authority. For the whole year that this has gone on, my son received 9-hour tutoring and nine hours AP, but I had to fight to get him those hours, you did not want to give them to him. 18 hours was his legal entitlement to a full-time education.
His tutor was amazing. His AP mentors were amazing. But it would be interesting to see who monitors the policies and procedures because initially drop offs were whenever they felt like it and sessions were cancelled with a few hours’ notice.
He was put on a 2 to 1 after stating he would call the police after a mentor accidentally stood on one of his toes. That 2 to 1 should have been reviewed after half a term. You funded a 2 to 1 for an additional two months when his own mentor said it wasn’t needed.
His tutor and AP reports were fantastic. I asked if the reports could be used in his EHCP to help secure the best educational outcome. Your legal team answered – the LA does not detail strengths in plans. An EHCP does not define a child, but the process followed would have you believe that it does. It is extremely flawed in its approach.
To finish, parental blame is felt strongly by myself and other families. We want to work with you not against you and the systemic failings.
The Chair thanked Sam for coming to speak to the committee and for putting her case forward. The Chair confirmed that it would be passed on to the relevant place for a reply; it is a complex case, and someone will be in touch.