Local authority EHC plan not done yet and 6 weeks until son leaves hospital

[frustratedparent44]

Can anyone help. My son is 18 at the end of May and is in a secure hospital, waiting for funding for Asperger college. He was not diagnosed until 16 after having a psychotic episode,the LA insisted he could attain a mainstream college and put him in a learning skills class!! he lasted 17 days before some bright LA employee interrogated him and he ended back in hospital when he has been until now. We have a specialist Asperger college who have offered him a place after the LA eventually agreed he could go for an overnight assessment. Mentally he is well and on meds. Health have agreed to fund but not if ed and social don't. They are looking at a adult mental health step down unit! Had a social report done in march now they want another one, still waiting for final EHC, and only been offered one local place which was unsuitable. Ed Psyc says he is educationally bright but his anxiety is high. Son thinks he is going to where he has stayed and is looking forward to having a fresh start. Hospital don't want him to know funding difficulties as it will knock him. What can I do, If he doesn't get funding it will destroy him.. Help...Head of Social is making noises about distance from home and college is not mental health hospital!! even though he does not need a hospital environment now.!

[hatgirl]

Just a few questions sorry -
does the local authority have a transitions team?
why has the head of social services got involved (this is unusual)
are the people making the funding decisions from children's social care or adult social care?
Is your son detained under the mental health act?

[frustratedparent44]

I'm not sure if they have a transitions team, health are very good but they can't get reports etc from education or social. Head of social involved as I complained to mp as we have been trying to get a placement and funding sorted since last September. He is on a section three but the dr is happy to change to a community order as soon as a placement is agreed. Funding coming from children's as he is still under 18 and they hAve a duty of continuance as far as I understand it.

[peacoat]

That sounds stressful - sorry to hear this is happening. How long ago was the application for an EHC Plan submitted? Have they accepted he will get one or is he still under assessment? Why can't they get reports from ed or social? You mention the EP - surely they have written a report? Also you mentioned a social report from March so I'm a bit confused when you say they can't get a report from social.

Transition is a huge area in the new CoP. So you really should be able to push for support in this area.

In my experience the louder you are, the more you get - shouldn't be this way but it seems to be. Don't give up - keep hammering away until you get what he needs.

[frustratedparent44]

Thank you. Just got draft ehc 2 weeks ago. Social and ed just not cooperating with health, as health agreed to fund weeks ago. Social want a new report done as they say he needs have altered in a month!!! This whole process is sooo stressful I think they want to force parents to have a breakdown themselves!

[auntie432]

I'm sorry to hear about your problems. This seems very complicated, probably too difficult to sort out through posting on a forum. Is anyone helping you? Sounds like you need support from Parent partnership, an Independent Supporter if the plan isn't yet finalised, somewhere like IPSEA, the National Autistic Society or a specialist lawyer if you can manage that. Maxwell Gilllott is one firm that operates Community Legal Services for SEN and they may be about to tell you if your son is entitled to legal aid in his own right due to his age. There is help out there. Good luck