Good SEN provisions

[OutDia]

Hello

My youngest has autism. I knew something was different from very early on. He kept missing milestones. I have now been told that when he starts school, he will need a 1-2-1 teacher.

We live close to a primary school which he can attend. However, there is no provision where I live after year 6.

I work from home and have no real ties to where I live. We have a terraced garden where I cannot really leave him to run around. We live quite close to parks though.

I would happily move anywhere in the UK where there are better provisions for his needs.

Does anyone know where would be a good place for him?

The Grove in London n17 is an outstanding school for children and young people with autism

This looks really good. I am looking at the catchment area. We really need to drive and need a house with parking too.

How severe is his needs? There’s a school in Hampton in Arden (my niece worked there before moving to wales) which caters solely for children with autism. It’s called the Island Project. This is the website: https://www.theislandproject.co.uk

Are you considering local authority schools or private? As LA SEN schools are massively over subscribed and it is nowhere near as simple as living in a catchment area.

Does your child have an ehcp?

The Grove (any special school for that matter) doesn't have a catchment area.

Though it is supposed to be for local children, many children living in other London boroughs attend.

The Grove isn't very holistic, OT , SALT and therapy is minimal.

Theres a new school in Barnet called The Windmill, very similar set up to The Grove.

There's The Holmewood School. Very therapeutic and holistic ASD specialist school.

Worth looking at Cavendish Education as they have multiple specialist schools.

You will need an EHCplan to attend any special school or for 1to1 support.

Just to add with the Island Project the school is independent but no fees. There’s also a school in Haverfordwest (niece now works here) but forgotten the name

I don't say this to be discouraging but my own experience (son is 5) of getting a specialist setting was it was incredibly challenging. My son has very high support needs and we still had a battle with the local authority and they wouldn't agree with our school of choice and tried to push another which we hated. We have got a place within our local authority but it hasn't been easy.

I really hope you have a better time.

Who has said he needs 1:1?
Does he have an ehcp or has the process been started?
How old is he?

My son started school last year. He's at our local primary school with a 1:1 TA and doing very well.

I would be looking at LEA provisions rather than individual school ,s I'm in Bolton and my LEA has two special needs primary schools, and two special needs high schools, one of the primary and secondary schools cater for children with moderate to severe learning disabilities and and or autism ,and the other ,s cater for children with severe to profound learning disabilities, and or autism
We also have several autism hubs both primary and secondary for children who don't have learning disabilities alongside autism ,but need more support then mainstream

Getting private provision isn't easy either as Many LEA,s are reluctant to spend the ££££,s it costs for a place
The Op would also have to prove its the only school that can meet her child's needs.

In Hampshire there are certainly secondary schools with autistic units within mainstream. My friends daughters have thrived at them. But it really depends on your child's needs which could change hugely as they mature.

Look on local.authority site at their offer (they call it the local offer). It should detail the different types of schools available mainstream/specialist/integrated resource.

It will help give you an idea what is available.
But things will change in the years before they commence secondary stage of school- some schools will improve, some won't, new ones may appear.

Work on getting an EHCP (you cannot access specialist without it).

https://www.autism.org.uk/our-schools?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtZK1BhDuARIsAAy2VzvA-_y4UUMGywbyFkkO8dfpbB7qgtYKemhU6anYylNH-9zf2vTtTWkaAkoAEALw_wcB#map

Also, it may not feel like it now, but (assuming your child is young), what he needs now isn't necessarily what he needs in 2/4/6 years time.

Right now, your focus should be on ensuring DS has an EHCP that accurately reflects his needs and the support he requires. If you have a primary school that will meet DS’s needs, I would stay put for now. Schools change, shut down, open, so it is too early to look for secondary provision now. And it is impossible to suggest schools without knowing more about DS’s presentation.

You should also be aware if you move LA with an EHCP the new LA will review the EHCP and potentially amend, reassess or even cease to maintain. You would have the right of appeal, but it is something you need to be aware of before moving.

The Op would also have to prove it’s the only school that can meet her child's needs.

Not quite. In your to get a wholly independent school named in an EHCP, the parents need to show the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet needs &/or that it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure. For section 41 independents, the rules are the same as they are for maintained and academy schools.

There is a school on Bolton called Birtenshaw. It has won many awards. Most children have 1:1, some 2:1- they have recently taken some children who don't require 1:1 at all times. They have on site ot and slt, small class sizes and their own transport (ta's will collect and return kids if the child requires it). The school is set up for children with complex autism. I think there is one near Liverpool too. If the child is more classical/ severe then this is the best provision imo.

We are now getting support from the child development unit. The process for the EHCP has now started.

The speech therapist sat down with us and said he will need 1-2-1 when he starts school. DC is non verbal at present. He can be very difficult when changing his routine.

Our local primary will be able to support him but it is a mainstream school. Then for secondary, there is noting local. Maybe I am thinking too far ahead.

I think a specialist school would be best suited for his needs. I could go independent if we have to, although I would feel guilty not offering the same to the siblings.

Yes I went to have a look around I wanted my child to go there but unfortunately it's private. So the LEA wouldn't agree to fund ,ww also have 4 other special schools that are LEA and very good

I'm a Bolton resident

@x2boys we live in a nearby town and had to go to tribunal to get a place there.

Birtenshaw school in Bolton isn’t an independent school. It is a non-maintained special school (NMSS) therefore the rules about naming it in section I of an EHCP are the same as a maintained school.

@OutDia where are you in the EHCP process? Is the LA sticking to the timescales? Has the SALT commited to paper DS will need 1:1 or only said it verbally?

Do not move to Kent. Kent County Council are beyond dire in regards to EHCPs and specialist provison. You also want to avoid the counties in Safety Valve agreements with the government as that is another ongoing challenge currently.

It doesn't come underc the LEA though and the LEA refused to name it as it was a high cost school ,my son is now at another of the LEA,s special schools that caters for children with severe and profound learning disabilities and autism