Would you fight to get your DC into a school that didn't want them?

[CyberSpaceTraveller]

Wondering if I should just give up. Been going on for over a year now! Totally drained and feel like I'm coming across as a bit like a dog with a bone and slightly unhinged!

DC has SEN and school is a specialist with life altering outcomes.

Alternative is a 'time wasting' provision (IMO) where outcome is probably going to be low levels if independence and lots of social care input.

WWYD?

Read the OP’s post just before mine. She states the LA aren’t complying (and in her opinion probably won’t until July) with SENDIST ordering home based outreach provision as an interim measure. That is a separate matter to the ongoing appeal about whether the college should be named in section I of the EHCP.

However, as the college is a s.41 independent they absolutely can be forced to admit even if they object.

You clearly have very little understanding of EHCPs, ASD or SEN in general.

There is a big problem at the moment with a shortage of specialist placements and independent specialist schools and colleges are getting to pick and choose who they take and they are taking the 'easier' options. This is what you are fighting against.

I just did which is why I apologised and said the Lea also didn't want fund .

OP posted not complying with SENDIST is because a lack of LSA, not because they didn’t want to fund it.

She posted not naming the college is partly because they don’t want to fund the placement but that’s a separate point.

I'm a bit cynical about section 41 schools at the moment ,there people in friends with have managed to secure a placement for their children at three different section 41 schools and the.placements have all.broken down theses schools cost £££££,s ,it does seems some schools are cherry picking

Three people in friends with ,that should say *

I think if you compared how many placements breakdown in other types of schools there are just as many placements that breakdown as there are in s.41 independents.

My son's school is now refusing places to children with more complex needs who they would have taken a few a years ago. There are difficulties with staffing, LA are not sorting out provision in their own schools and are relying on independent special schools and fundamentally the schools are businesses and their decisions are business decisions.

Unless the setting is wholly independent the LA must name the parental preference, including if it is a s.41 independent, even if the school objects unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

LAs often force parents to appeal but unless the LA can prove the high bar for one above the appeal will be upheld.