NHS refusing treatment to child who attends private school.

"Paid For by the Local Authority or anyone else, it’s still a non-education public service that the local authority is only providing to those that go to state schools."

Occupational therapy is considered educational provision in many cases. Likewise Speech and Language Therapy.

Not sure if this has already been answered, is this applicable to home schooled children? Are they not entitled as they don’t go to state schools?

excellent idea....except how are you going to get the people who kneejerk to the chainjerk posts misunderstand to read the pinned post?

Really helpful Twitter thread here explaining the situation, which was created by the Children and Families Act 2014 (when Cameron was PM):
https://x.com/monkemma/status/1931657489272971546?s=46&t=agd2fYHaobfu454D6v_seg

I wish we could pin some posts under the OP

oh goodness someone who knows what they are talking about. I have said this several times already

it is. They do.

The issue is the OTs cannot provide that service AT the private school. Privately funded OTs would be able to. The mothers best bet is requesting her child be seen in clinic or at home but something like hypermobility falls so so low on the priority list for funded services the waitlist would be astronomical.

You probably couldn't and that is awful but it bears no relation to this case

Private schools can either be fantastic for children with additional needs, or (more typically) really awful. They do not have to meet the needs of the children in the same way. I know of private schools that have OT provision, but it is parent self funded! Of course children in state schools get access to state funded OT but it’s EXTREMELY hard to fit the NHS criteria to actually get it. And so most actually just don’t. It’s only the ones with the highest level of need.

It seems to vary a lot by area. Where we are in Wales, my son (home educated) gets NHS SALT and NHS OT and currently weekly private OT funded by the council in his IDP. I know home educators in England who can get no community NHS SALT or OT and the fight for an ECHP is long.

Health services should be provided by the health service. If a child needs SALT or OT or physio then the NHS should provide that via their community services. If the LA wish to pay to commission services so children in state schools can have quicker access then that is great but it should be separate to the NHS service.

I knew there would be. Thankyou for clarifying it in the first post so I didn’t have to read the full thread 😂

This would be in the Standard, run by George 'austerity' Osbourne who, with his sidekick David Cameron sent us hurtling down the path the the massive shit hole we are in? Who admitted that austerity was more of a philosophical aim than actual need? Yes, would not believe them if they told me it was Monday today.

Today’s friendly reminder that newspapers (of all ilks) twist stories to fit their narrative and people should read the facts before becoming outraged…

Good god.

This thread is like cancel the cheque all over again.

I was going to use the example of a school library and say "you wouldn't expect the LEA to provide the school library at a private school." But apparently there is a PP who does expect that.

You pays your money, you takes your choice- there are often little extras not included in school fees that you have to pay for. You've opted out of LEA services, so I don't see why anyone would think they can opt back to little bits that suit them.

It's OT, FFS. Hardly emergency brain surgery 🙄

You can be referred to SALT via your GP and if takennon caseload would be seen in clinic. We gave children with EHCPs in school who have a termly visit funded via their EHCP

I can't believe how outraged you became from reading a title and believing it this is how misinformation gets spread around

The services also can include OT, physio etc but only at state schools which they have opted out of.

Her son can still have OT, it will just have to be a different way because they have opted out of it.

Library services?

No the child hasn’t!. OT is only available in schools to children that have EHCP’s which this child doesn’t. He was referred to the school service which won’t see him without one! With the correct referral he will be seen! This is the most badly reported story as it’s only half a story but don’t let that spoil your narrative!

No, they have opted out of the LEA providing education for their child.

Which they can access via their GP

The LEA is not responsible for privately educated pupils, hence they have to pay.

LEAs are not responsible for the education of privately or home educated pupils. They are still responsible for the children in other respects including child protection, providing young carer services to any young carers in private school, immunisations, public health services, library services…. And the NHS have a duty towards all children.