Home Ed experiences good & bad please

[Seahorsesplendour]

Hi, I’m not going into the full circumstances and not asking for opinions on what we should do, we are fully researching & weighing up our options and what is right for ds.

I am more & more feeling that home education may be what’s right for him for multiple reasons.

however, this is terrifying as we’re only just starting to see the depth of his needs (he’s 7) we’ve just gone through EHCP process and would fight to keep that so can align with his needs as he grows so if we want to re-engage with education at a later date we wouldn’t be starting from scratch.

would appreciate knowing if anyone else has managed to do this?

also would really appreciate some insight into what the future looked like for kids who’s parents chose this path and has anyone regretted it?

I know this is a hugely emotive subject with strong feelings around it which is why I’m not asking for opinions but would love to hear some real life positives and negatives or angles we may not have considered while we wrangle with this huge decision !

thank you 💐

Many have to appeal for EOTAS/EOTIS. Especially for a proper package. The LA may force you to appeal, but you do not need multiple school placements to fail before EOTAS/EOTIS. That is a myth LAs like to perpetuate to fob parents off. (Personally, I would avoid using the phrase home educate if you want to pursue EOTAS/EOTIS because the LA will jump on the wording home educate and take it to mean EHE.)

I have spent over £10,000 - but, over time I have learned how to spend considerably less. Most of that was in the early years.

Now I use SOSSEN for lots of advice (and they will support with documents etc too). I also use the 30 minutes free that many solicitors offer - and then move on to the next one... Citizens Advice have been fairly helpful and will sometimes come and be an advocate for you in meetings - as will charities like MIND. There are usually local SEN charities who also offer support and advocacy.

In my experience, LAs hate it when you take an advocate because they know you are educating yourself about their legal responsibilities and that you have support. For me, that has often been the point at which they back down.

I would also say to look at current needs - but to make sure those needs are fully met.

Their argument about EOTAS is complete rubbish. They are trying to force you to EHE and lose all support. Remind them that EOTAS with you taking the majority share and them funding therapies is going to be far cheaper than either a tribunal or a specialist school.

@LeoLeo2 thank you that’s really helpful