To think they should just let him go to this college

[Lightupthedark70]

Ds will be 19 in July. He wants to go to go to a special college for people with the same special needs as him. Lea however have a different idea. They seem to want the local college. One of the mainstream colleges have stated that they can't meet his need so I would have thought if one couldn't none can.

Yanbu. The LEA are probably trying to save money. Stick to your guns. Hope it's not too much of a stressful battle. Good luck.:)

I'd suggest you post on the Special Needs Children thread. Does your DS have a statement, and is the LA converting it into an Education Health and Care Plan? LAs have a duty to consider your son's preference but also are entitled to consider the costs involved. I suspect you will have little choice but to go through the process of allowing them to consult all the local mainstream colleges. However, ask the LA for a list of those they are consulting, visit them with your DS, and make absolutely certain that they've got fully up to date information about all his needs and the provision required to meet them.

Also, if the LA are converting to an EHC Plan they have to do a full reassessment of your son's needs - many however are ignoring that. Has your LA put that in hand?

They have done a draft ehc plan. They are waiting for the up to date reports.

I work for an FE college and have seen this time and time again. The LA will explore all the local, cheaper options first and only consider the specialist out of county provision if there is nothing else suitable locally. It is about money but that's not the LA's fault - they genuinely don't have enough to provide the best education for everyone. So you will need to fight. You need all the local colleges to say that they can't meet your son's needs. You will probably have to go to meetings at all of them. If you don't feel confident in stating your case, you can get support from organisations like IPSEA or organisations specific to your son's disability. Good luck.