Inappropriate schools being consulted with

I’ve worked in a specialist SEMH school. They absolutely are for pupils with behavioural issues. Their behaviours are caused by their SEMH needs. They can be better supported, and managed, in a specialist SEMH setting but it doesn’t mean the behaviours go away.
OP; if the school you have chosen have said they can meet need, that’s a fantastic start. You simply decline the others saying they are not appropriate for your child. If in Spring they say no places, you get the support of SENDIAS and you appeal appeal appeal. At no point do you tell anyone you will home school. It is much worse when places say they can’t meet need.

I don’t know how things work now but 20 odd years ago when I was having problems with the LEA not addressing my sons needs (ASD &Dylexia) I went to see a solicitor for advice. He was so helpful, explained my son’s rights and took us to a tribunal which won. It was a real light bulb moment for me, he told me that every SEN statement issued by the LEA was unlawful and why and he really empowered me to take on the LEA in future myself. I worked for the same local authority and knew they were very risk averse re court action, so I threatened them with legal action every time they messed me about and usually found a suitable response from them. It did cost me initially but if my son didn’t have these issues he would have probably gone to uni and I would have spent the money then instead

My council wouldn't be paying a special school for communication needs only. Are you sure there aren't SEMH needs?

Our LA has a policy that a mainstream school must always be consulted, and they really scattergun consults, so they consult some wildly inappropriate schools! One I rang up the SENCo and had a chat. SENCos don't want to take on unsuitable children and they get irked with LAs firing endless consults at them. One I spoke to works at a boys' school, and gets consults for girls on a weekly basis!

I think you're panicking unnecessarily. In our experience SEMH schools are completely aware of (broadly) not mixing very anxious profile students with more behaviourally challenging ones. Whole schools - and streams within schools - exist which are SEMH, "nervous" profile only, kids who cannot cope with being around challenging behaviour. It's also a growing market as EBSNA is so rife at the moment. SEMH has an image problem - it is not synonymous with behaviourally challenging kids who get suspended.

As long as the EHCP is well specified in laying out your child's needs you should be fine, and you may even be pleasantly surprised. It's unrealistic to expect LA not to consult with other schools.

IME if one of these schools is named you will then have to appeal to get it changed. You can not send him there, but the LA would still have to pay the fees until somewhere different was named at tribunal (or before). However, I'd be very surprised if the LA named an eye-wateringly expensive school when the parent was saying they didn't want it. The LAs are desperately trying to avoid naming independents. Try to speak to your caseworker (difficult I know!) and make it clear you would not send him to attend those schools so he/she should make sure they are not named.

Ipsea guidance is helpful OP.

www.ipsea.org.uk/faqs/my-local-authority-has-named-a-school-i-dont-agree-with-and-i-want-to-appeal-section-i-of-my-childs-ehc-plan-what-does-a-local-authority-have-to-consider-when-naming-a-school-in-an-ehc-plan

You can also speak to the schools and visit them. If you think they are inappropriate you can then explain to the LA why that is.

Have the consultations already gone? If not, I would ask your caseworker not to consult any other options until you have an outcome for your preference. They should be willing to do that.

Op call the Sossen helpline. You can appeal section I

Is your child currently in school or are they at the point of entering reception?

Special schools that cater for academically able dc with autism with EHCP are like hen’s teeth.

is this for next September?

SEMH doesn’t necessarily mean ‘behavioural issues’, at least not when their needs are met which is what SEMH schools strive to do. Unfortunately some still view these as schools for ‘naughty children’ but that really isn’t the case. It is quite common for SEMH schools to cater for the needs of children with ADHD and ASD diagnosis.
Is he primary or secondary?

Are all these settings independent special schools?

If your preference is for an independent but a maintained special school says they can meet need, the LA will likely name it due to the huge cost of independent places. You can go to Tribunal to appeal Section I of your child’s EHCP but this is a long process and the Tribunal may find in the LA’s favour if the other school’s offer is deemed appropriate. Have you been to the schools to look round and talk to the staff?

What makes you think an SEMH school would be inappropriate for him and be unable to meet his needs?