Page 6 | EHCP and the race to state

Ohthatsjustalotofeffort · 2024-07-06T08:30:39+00:00

For parents with children in independent schools…. Those children with SEN needs who do not have an EHCP as the independent school can meet their needs….. are you now applying for an EHCP in preparation to move to state school? We have just started the process as our children will now be moving to state so will need an EHCP. As a state school teacher myself I know my child needs it and will be successful. We are using a third party to apply for the EHCP who told me they have had I’m unprecedented demand in anticipation of the move to state schools and making sure they have the document they need. I am aware our child who would qualify for an EHCP wouldn’t need to pay the VAT but we have 2 others without SEN and we can’t afford the fees with the increase so are on the waiting lists now to move.

Rainbowsponge · 06/07/2024 09:57

Ohthatsjustalotofeffort · 06/07/2024 09:50

Possible better screening of SEND needs coupled with a lack of resources in state schools to meet the demand of those diagnosed with them . I think this has been why there’s such an influx of SEN children in independent schools. Especially after seeing the threads / news/ stories of parents saying they put their children in these schools due to their child’s needs and lack of support in state schools.

As a state school teacher I really hope labour do turn schools around and am fully onboard with their passion to do so. Only concern I have is where are the teachers coming from magically and they will need training on SEND needs etc and this will take years and not happen over night- but the notion is good

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Correct me if I’m wrong but I was under the impression EHCPs were for kids with the highest needs, not the sort of thing that would’ve slipped under the radar years ago?

Spendonsend · 06/07/2024 09:56

Rainbowsponge · 06/07/2024 09:44

It’s a shit show because the demand for EHCPs and SEN support has risen so dramatically, it’s almost impossible for the authorities to deal with them. We spend £10 billion on SEN per year and it seemingly still isn’t enough. I don’t know what the answer is, but I would be interested to know why the need has risen so steeply in the last few years alone.

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There are lots of issues. But one is, as the mainstream offer worsens, more people are pushed into the sen category. Which literally means support over and above the normally available offer. So less experienced teachers, a curriculum that is over heavy, fewer TA etc mean childfen who were managing, now aren't. When I look at the standard offer of my school 10 years ago to now it's really reduced.

There's plenty of other issues too.

Original poster

Ohthatsjustalotofeffort · 06/07/2024 09:56

PinkFrogss · 06/07/2024 09:37

Why not keep them in private school and move the other two to state then? Plenty of families have a state/private split and in your case it sounds perfectly justified and affordable.

I would if we could- but I would have to do 2 school runs and then my own school run to take me to school 🤣 and same on the way back. I think I’d slowly have a meltdown - well not slowly very rapidly with a bang! DH works away so I’m the parents doing the school runs each day. Also I’m not sure where the state school will be where the children will get into , and how far from us so need to factor this in as the ones around us are full when we applied.

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Original poster

Ohthatsjustalotofeffort · 06/07/2024 09:53

MulberryBushRoundabout · 06/07/2024 09:44

Ours too. And seem to have a policy of refusing almost all applications, forcing them to appeal.

Good luck OP, it’s a difficult system! I know several people who have sent their kids private because they couldn’t get the support through the state EHCP process.

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Thank you- I have to be honest and say that’s why we’re getting a third party to put our child’s application together. It’s not something we ever wanted to really do as I know the fight ahead we have got. I’ve seen children who without doubt need an EHCP and it’s been refused . However to parents out there- good to know- your local authority may reject it due to their non legal thresholds they put in place- however the threshold legally is much lower , hence why when the case goes to appeal they go through.

OP posts:

Original poster

Ohthatsjustalotofeffort · 06/07/2024 09:50

Rainbowsponge · 06/07/2024 09:44

It’s a shit show because the demand for EHCPs and SEN support has risen so dramatically, it’s almost impossible for the authorities to deal with them. We spend £10 billion on SEN per year and it seemingly still isn’t enough. I don’t know what the answer is, but I would be interested to know why the need has risen so steeply in the last few years alone.

Show quote history

Possible better screening of SEND needs coupled with a lack of resources in state schools to meet the demand of those diagnosed with them . I think this has been why there’s such an influx of SEN children in independent schools. Especially after seeing the threads / news/ stories of parents saying they put their children in these schools due to their child’s needs and lack of support in state schools.

As a state school teacher I really hope labour do turn schools around and am fully onboard with their passion to do so. Only concern I have is where are the teachers coming from magically and they will need training on SEND needs etc and this will take years and not happen over night- but the notion is good

OP posts:

MulberryBushRoundabout · 06/07/2024 09:44

Morph22010 · 06/07/2024 09:37

Our la are already taking in excess of 52 weeks to asses which is way above the 20 week legal timescale, and that’s not including time if you have to appeal refusal to assesss, refusal to issue and/or ehcp contents so potentially 3 appeals for the same ehcp, wait for appeal is currently around 10 months

Ours too. And seem to have a policy of refusing almost all applications, forcing them to appeal.

Good luck OP, it’s a difficult system! I know several people who have sent their kids private because they couldn’t get the support through the state EHCP process.

Rainbowsponge · 06/07/2024 09:44

kirbykirby · 06/07/2024 09:42

Sorry you are having to deal with this OP. What a shit show!

It’s a shit show because the demand for EHCPs and SEN support has risen so dramatically, it’s almost impossible for the authorities to deal with them. We spend £10 billion on SEN per year and it seemingly still isn’t enough. I don’t know what the answer is, but I would be interested to know why the need has risen so steeply in the last few years alone.

kirbykirby · 06/07/2024 09:42

Sorry you are having to deal with this OP. What a shit show!

FuzzyStripes · 06/07/2024 09:42

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/07/2024 09:40

Seems like you're in the wrong job. There's clearly a market of well funded people prepared to pay for assistance in getting their children EHCPs and you'd have the experience and qualifications with which to be good at it.

Then you wouldn't need the wraparound care.

It’s usually lawyers who are the ones who get paid for the assistance and to represent at a tribunal.

Spendonsend · 06/07/2024 09:41

The ehcp process is rather stressful so I wish anyone applying much luck. Getting needs identified and the support specified and quantified is challenging.

NeverDropYourMooncup · 06/07/2024 09:40

Seems like you're in the wrong job. There's clearly a market of well funded people prepared to pay for assistance in getting their children EHCPs and you'd have the experience and qualifications with which to be good at it.

Then you wouldn't need the wraparound care.

Morph22010 · 06/07/2024 09:37

Our la are already taking in excess of 52 weeks to asses which is way above the 20 week legal timescale, and that’s not including time if you have to appeal refusal to assesss, refusal to issue and/or ehcp contents so potentially 3 appeals for the same ehcp, wait for appeal is currently around 10 months

PinkFrogss · 06/07/2024 09:37

Why not keep them in private school and move the other two to state then? Plenty of families have a state/private split and in your case it sounds perfectly justified and affordable.

Original poster

Ohthatsjustalotofeffort · 06/07/2024 09:36

Also to add before it becomes an attacking thread! passionate state school teacher- and advocate who sits on panels pushing for better state school systems.

Our children are only in independent schools because we need the wrap around and holiday cover so me and my husband can work the hours we do.

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FuzzyStripes · 06/07/2024 09:35

Even if your child does qualify for an EHCP, you must be aware of the timescales involved and likelihood of having to go to tribunal regardless as well as the additional costs often incurred for private reports.

One of my children has an EHCP and another one really could do with one in the future. I can think of plenty of children who should have far better provisions as part of their EHCP but that wasn’t granted, and plenty who didn’t get one at all.

We plan to stay at our EHCP named independent school but who knows whether it will also be forced to close before too long. Three local independent schools have already closed recently.