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Original poster

Applying for under exceptional medical or social need

31 replies

GoodluckJonathan76 · 25/12/2017 16:13

Does anyone have any examples of when this can be used? DS1 has additional needs at school we are currently trying to work through (ruled out autism last year through an assessment) and now thinking possible ADHD but does not have a statement and very unlikely to get one. The school has flagged up several times that they think DS1 has additional needs, is different, and we have the psychologist and psychiatrist reports from earlier this year, as well as a letter from CAMHs, which all state that he has unusual quirks/ additional needs but does not have autism. We are now picking things up again with CAMBs after the school flagged further issues this term as he moved into year 5. In the words of the SENCO, she thinks it would be a disaster if DS went to the local comprehensive (very mixed and quite rough) and there is a far better school with a better SENCO and pastoral care system further away where we think he would fare much better. The school is about 2.5 miles but is very oversubscribed (catchment is 0.5) so we don't stand a chance on distance. Do we have a chance if we rely on the exceptional medical/social ground? Interestingly, I checked the admissions policy and it doesn't have a separate category for kids with statements of special educational needs, it just goes 1) children in care, 2) children with exceptional medical or social needs, 2) children of teachers. Wonder if this will make it easier.

OP posts:
Original poster
GoodluckJonathan76 · 26/12/2017 23:46

Admission, I know we have a tiny chance but I think it's worth a shot. I know that we need to get letters from professional to support our case. I am just wondering though, who can rely on this ground if not kids with additional needs? I was trying to think of some examples when this ground could be used but can't. I know someone who used it successfully with a child quite similar to mine although they only got in on appeal.

OP posts:
admission · 26/12/2017 18:23

What is considered appropriate under this category does differ from one Local Authority to another. However if you were in my LA then they would consider that every school should be able to cope with the issues that your child has as stated in the OP. I accept that this is easy to say and that the reality across different schools is stark but it does illustrate the likely reaction to your request. They are much more likely to be interested in moving your son towards an EHCP, which would give you a level of control over where he can attend school. I would suggest that you try to push this along as fast as possible - you have nearly a year to get an EHC plan in place and get entry to the school you prefer.
I would also say that you need to have an independent look at the local comprehensive rather than rely on the SENCOs view. Gauge your own view of how much a disaster it might be and start mitigating against that, as realistically without an EHC Plan in place that is the most likely school you will be offered.
Sorry that sounds quite blunt but you do need to be realistic.

user789653241 · 26/12/2017 18:19

We did apply for medical needs category for my ds's primary , backed up by several letters from professionals. It was denied for this category, because needs wasn't significant for the school enough. Though we did get the place from other category because it was the closest school.

prh47bridge · 26/12/2017 12:14

They won't have a separate category for children with statements (or EHCPs as they are now called). Those children do not go through the normal admissions process. The school must admit a child with an EHCP or statement naming the school even if they are already full.

The admissions information that your local authority has on its website should state what evidence you need to support getting your son into this category. As others say, it is likely that they will need information from health or education professionals to back it up. It isn't enough to simply show that he has additional needs. You need to show that his needs can be best met by this school.

DivisionBelle · 26/12/2017 08:14

The school should provide guidance about what they mean and require within this category.

But generally, you need to state clearly what he needs and why this school can provide it. Be very specific about what the school offers and provides. This needs to be backed up by letters from health / educational professionals which say why the school is necessary, and naming what it is that the school offers that will suit the child. The professional letters need to say ‘in my opinion...’ not ‘his parents believe that...’ it is the best / only school.

If you don’t get a place straight away you can appeal in the same basis, arguing that your child will
Be disadvantaged by not attending this school because of the various support mechanisms available.

eddiemairswife · 25/12/2017 21:12

If he has a statement which names the school they must take him. If no statement my LA only considers med/soc needs if there is a letter from a registered health or social practitioner that states the school is the only one that can meet his needs

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