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SEN

Here you'll find advice from parents and teachers on special needs education.

Original poster

Moving to new area with child in sen school

34 replies

RiRi25 · 31/05/2025 18:16

Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone has a severely autistic child, with severe learning disabilities, non verbal, very challenging (self injurious behaviours) and in a special needs school?

The borough i am in are absolutely rubbish and don't offer my daughter adequate respite services or 1 to 1 in school which she needs to keep her safe.

I am thinking of moving to another London borough where the services may be a bit better but its so hard to do any research beforehand as councils will advise they can only confirm the process once moved into borough and they have seen the child's whole file.

I have also heard of horror stories of people moving different boroughs and the child not being able to get special needs school places meaning they are out of school for 2 - 5 years! I will not be able to cope for that long and will have a breakdown and it will also be incredibly bad for my daughter's mental health too.

Has anyone in a similar situation moved within London and had a positive experience with schools and Children's Disability Team respite services? If so, where are you based please?

TIA

OP posts:
Original poster
RiRi25 · 03/06/2025 23:23

Hi @PeaHen99

Thank you so much for this advice. I will try this route.

I am glad it worked out for you. Is your DS also severely autistic, non verbal with severe learning disabilities and challenging behaviours?

And yes i can still appeal EHCP.

Yes looking to move within the year. Hopefully as soon as possible.

OP posts:
perpetualplatespinning · 03/06/2025 13:10

Just so anyone reading is aware, sometimes when you move during a live appeal, the dates for complying with directions are pushed back. Sometimes the hearing date is too. Less likely if you move early during the appeal process. More likely if you move late in the day.

PeaHen99 · 03/06/2025 13:06

I recently moved LA during the Appeals process, DS was out of school when I started my appeal and my move was already planned.
I took legal advice and was advised that moving during the appeal was a good idea as the LA that I moved into to had to take over and go to tribunal in place of the old LA.
The new LA had no choice but to get in line with tribunal dates and the EHCP (with my school preference named in I) was decided at tribunal thus removing the new LAs right to change or cease to maintain etc.

(hope that all made sense)

If you are still in the window to appeal the recent annual review?
Can you move within the next year?
Moving while waiting to go to tribunal May minimise time out of school

Original poster
RiRi25 · 03/06/2025 11:01

Hi, thank you for all your advice. It is much appreciated 😊

OP posts:
perpetualplatespinning · 01/06/2025 16:47

In theory, the new LA could place in a special school whilst a review takes place. In reality, this often doesn’t happen or at least takes time for it to happen.

It is a review panel made up of 3 independent people. The people should be independent of the LA.

Original poster
RiRi25 · 01/06/2025 13:07

Hi, thank you for explaining.

Travelling to current school wouldn't be possible as I wanted to move 2 or 3 boroughs out. She isn't suitable for mainstream and the SEN school she currently goes to are already struggling to meet her needs as it is. Would new LA be able to temporarily put her into a sen school until we wait for something permanent?

Annual EHCP was held a month a go.

And when I had appealed Children's Disability Team package, I had complained and emailed in writing directly to the manager but didnt go LGO which I should have. Also didn't know I could ask for an independent review... who would assess the independent review?

Thank you

OP posts:
perpetualplatespinning · 31/05/2025 22:28

If you move LA, the new LA would become responsible for education. If it is still practicable to attend the current school that includes funding that placement when the EHCP transfers (at least until the conclusion of a review. It doesn’t necessarily mean they will continue to name it following a review). If it isn’t practicable, it may be in another school (which may not be the school they go on to name following a review) or otherwise than in school.

The LA is right, you can’t appeal if the LA refuse to h9ld an early review. When is the annual review? If it is a long time away, you could request a reassessment of needs. Although there is no guarantee the LA will agree you would have the right of appeal afterwards. However, even if the LA agrees to a reassessment of needs, there is no guarantee the evidence will be good. You may end up appealing afterwards.

When you say you appealed children’s services decision, what exactly did you do? Have you followed all the steps I mentioned in my pp?

Original poster
RiRi25 · 31/05/2025 22:19

Hi, thank you so much for explaining all this!

Ah so in new area she would most likely be out of school until they review and update EHCP?

I did request emergency annual review with current LA and they declined. I have been told i am not able to appeal this decision either.

Also, did appeal with Children's Disability Team and didn't get anywhere. And they keep ignoring my GP safeguarding referrals and say I have adequate respite when this is definitely not the case.

I would definitely like to move at this point. More worried about her being out of school for so long and how we will both cope in that time.

OP posts:
perpetualplatespinning · 31/05/2025 21:27

Looking at education, if you move LA with an EHCP, the new LA becomes responsible for the EHCP on transfer. The EHCP transfers on the day you move or within 15 working days of the LA becoming aware if that is later. This includes funding the placement in section I if attending is still practical. If it isn’t practical, they must make other arrangements for education.

However, within 6 weeks of the date of the transfer, the LA must inform you when they will review the EHCP. The new LA will then review the EHCP within 12 months of the previous AR or 3 months from the date of the transfer, whichever is the later. As part of the review process, the LA may propose to amend or even propose to cease to maintain. You would have the right of appeal, but it is something you need to be aware of. There is no guarantee the LA would name a special school. They may force you to appeal. Equally, there is no guarantee they would include 1:1 without an appeal.

If you wanted to remain in your current LA, if the EHCP provision isn’t sufficient, you could appeal the EHCP when you next have the right of appeal. You could request an early review in order to try to get the right of appeal.

Support from children’s services wise, the new LA would carry out a new assessment when you move. Unfortunately, there’s no guarantee they would provide better support than your current LA.

If you wanted to remain where you are, have you challenged the LA’s decision on respite? You could complain, ask for an independent review, complain to the LGO. Depending on specifics, JR may be possible. If you appeal the education side of things related to an EHCP, you can also ask SENDIST to look at social care provision, getting an independent social worker assessment if necessary.