Part time school and effect on EHCP process

[bedelia]

DS is due to begin primary school in September; he has ASD and complex difficulties related to this. We're currently at Week 24 of EHCP process and as yet don't even have a first draft have just sent pre-action letter with a view to JR as am being ignored by SEN team.

I want him to go to SS from the very start, due to severe difficulties in MS nursery (he's only been able to attend part time since January with FT 1-to-1). Of course, we can't get him there without a finalised EHCP, and are nowhere near agreement about placement.

DS does have a place for MS primary, moving up from where his current nursery is based. Without any info on the progress of EHCP, we're in limbo about any funding or support from LA, and school have suggested matching the current reduced timetable - 2 afternoons a week - until EHCP is finalised.

I don't want to agree to this. After so long on reduced hours at nursery, I feel it's vital that he should attend full time, with the proper support put into place, as soon as possible. In other words, full time in SS. But it's looking increasingly unlikely that anything will be finalised for September. His current hours at nursery (and moving forward, to school) are the only respite I have. So if I don't agree, he may not be able to attend at all until EHCP is finalised...

If I do agree, could it have an effect on his EHCP? I'm wondering if LA may then use my "agreement" as a means to argue that he could be supported in MS, despite the months and months of evidence from nursery which says otherwise.

Also, does anyone know how long such a reduced timetable could legally be in place?

[Friolero]

I don't know the answer to this, but have you tried contacting IPSEA? I found them very useful when needing advice on getting my son's school placement and EHCP sorted. They have an advice line where you can book a slot for somebody to call you (these book up very quickly so you need to keep checking for when they release new slots!) and also have an email information service where they'll reply to questions you have.

www.ipsea.org.uk/contact/advice-and-support/advice-line

www.ipsea.org.uk/contact/advice-and-support/information-service

[bedelia]

Yes, thanks Friolero, I contacted them last week, but didn't ask about the PT effect (discovered that after I'd spoken to them). IPSEA helped me with the letter. Can't book another call back as there's nothing available at the moment, so will keep trying the advice line.

Incidentally, I've just discovered that DS' case worker is on holiday what a surprise. Not.

[JudyCoolibar]

If he will be over 5 in the autumn, then legally he must be in school full time. Even if he isn't, if it is normal practice in your area for all rising 5s to be in school full time from the beginning of the autumn term then preventing your son from attending would be disability discrimination. I think you have to keep pushing very hard for the EHCP to be produced and finalised - it may be difficult for the LAover the holidays, but not impossible, and it's a problem they've caused.