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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will LA fund independent school place for ASD child?

122 replies

Ricecakesaremyjam · 06/03/2025 19:14

Son is 5, diagnosis of autism and ADHD. Has an EHCP, in mainstream reception, on a heavily reduced timetable of 2hrs a day with a 1:1, school have said they can’t meet needs and are plainly desperate to get rid of him.
School that is my preference and would meet his needs and is very local is an independent.
How likely is my LA to fund this? If his needs are not being met and he is literally not in school?

I am absolutely broken on my knees with this shit 😫

OP posts:
Glorybox2025 · 06/03/2025 19:20

Probably not if there is a state funded SEN school that could take him - are there any?

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 06/03/2025 19:24

It's unlikely. My DD is autistic, diagnosed at 5, but now 14. There are 2 or 3 autistic children in every class. Is there a SEN school nearby if mainstream can't cope?

stanleypops66 · 06/03/2025 19:27

I'm sorry that sounds so tough!
What's the reason why he can't be in school for more than 2 hours per day? Have you called an emergency annual review? That would be my first step.

It's possible the LA will fund it but they will explore LA SEN schools first. Are there any in your local area?

wafflesmgee · 06/03/2025 19:28

No is the short answer, not until you take them to court and spend approx £25,000 on legal fees to force them to.
the only way they would is if you can prove he won’t fit into mainstream and there is no state SEN school place available for him. Most of these have a catchment of up to an hour away, so check out the SEN chat section for more info and start with an honest chat with his current school’s SEN person to begin building the paper trail you will need.
I’m sorry. It shouldn’t be like this. 💐

User2346 · 06/03/2025 19:30

If you can prove that it’s the only school that can meet needs ie small classes and low arousal then it is doable however you will probably need to go to tribunal and have a tribunal hardened Ed Psych as a witness. A lot of children are funded in my county but specialist provision is scarce.

HarleyJae · 06/03/2025 19:31

It isn't as simple as ‘will they fund’ and you asking for your preferred independent school.

The system is a mess but there will be many steps and stages to go through in the process of making sure your child has the education he is entitled to.

Independent places can be extortionate in cost and the LA will try and avoid this. It isn't unusual for places to be £100,000 per year, per child plus transport costs. This is funded from the same budget that supports all SEN children so you can imagine, there is never enough money to go around.

You would be better to ask for this to be moved to the SEN board, if it is advice you want from those who are experienced in this. AIBU isn't the place!

Lougle · 06/03/2025 19:34

It's possible. Two of my children have been placed in specialist independent schools from mainstream, but both were in year 10 when they finally burned out, and were completely out of school by the point that the EHCP was finalised. We didn't spend any money on reports. We just requested that the LA got the relevant assessments as part of their EHC Needs Assessment, using the clause that says they must seek advice from anyone who the parents reasonably request.

StrivingForSleep · 06/03/2025 19:36

Independent schools can be named in EHCPs and thus funded. However, many have to appeal (but people don’t have to spend £25k on legal fees to appeal. The majority of parents do not have representation.)

Is the school wholly independent or a section 41 independent school? Because the answer affects the rules around when they can be named.

I have posted on your other thread about the school unlawfully excluding DS, but you don’t have to allow that situation to continue.

Namechanger385u4p · 06/03/2025 19:46

Is it mainstream indie or SS?

I paid for DS to attend an indie SS for nursery. He was in a mixed class with reception and every reception child was paid for by an ehcp, some of the parents had started off paying and got the ehcp after starting, but they still had to threaten with tribunal etc. Some had got it in place beforehand.

Original poster
Ricecakesaremyjam · 06/03/2025 19:47

Sorry don’t know if I explained that properly, it’s a specialist independent school not just a random private school, he’s too high functioning for most places locally but requires too much supervision for high coin units I’ve looked at, plus his age means he isn’t able to access alot of specialist places. We are a good hour from most of these schools, whereas the one I would like to name is a short drive away.

OP posts:
StrivingForSleep · 06/03/2025 19:48

Is the school wholly independent or a section 41 independent school?

whatsthatBout · 06/03/2025 19:49

I do know people who have got funded places at private schools for their SEN children. I have no idea what process they went through though.

hoodiemassive · 06/03/2025 19:55

Don't rule out local special schools because he's high functioning. I have 2 dc in special schools, one high functioning and one who has a LD - SS vary so much and have to adapt to the kids they have.

Worriedmotheroftwo · 06/03/2025 19:55

My son (6, ADHD and ASD) is at a private school, funded through his EHCP. We didn't need to go to tribunal. It is possible but bot easy.

VivaVivaa · 06/03/2025 19:59

Sorry, this may be a little beside the point, but I’m just wondering how/where you got an ADHD diagnosis before age 6?

My nearly 5 year old is autistic but I’m certain most of his behavioural issues relate to ADHD. It would be really useful to know.

Outchy · 06/03/2025 20:00

if there is a cheaper state option that can meet need (even though you don't prefer that one), you haven't got a chance at all. My LA even routinely refuses independent placements even when there is no state option station it would be an unreasonable use of public resources. It takes usually a tribunal.

User5274959 · 06/03/2025 20:02

Around here - yes they do sometimes. If all state options have been consulted and say they can't meet need.
Whether or not they ever do straight away or only after tribunal and parents commissioning some private psychology and SALT reports etc... I'm not sure.
Look on Facebook to see if there is an EHCP experiences local group.

AndThereSheGoes · 06/03/2025 20:02

Well there's lots of small private SEN schools near me (SE). As well as academy chains.

My experience has been that kids are accommodated by a mainstream primary until they hate it enough to kick off or refuse and the primary says it can't meet need.
There's a lull where some sort of alternative provision is given a shot, parents get serious and then a place in a private setting is found.

Original poster
Ricecakesaremyjam · 06/03/2025 20:05

@StrivingForSleep Hi, it’s not section 41 according to the gov.uk page.
thankyou by the way for your replies on both threads ❤️

OP posts:
fruitbrewhaha · 06/03/2025 20:07

I would speak to the school and find out if it’s a good fit. They will be able to help.

Original poster
Ricecakesaremyjam · 06/03/2025 20:11

@VivaVivaa Hi, he was diagnosed by the developmental paediatrician. His ADHD has always been so clear but I was told they couldn’t put it on paper until he was 5, and then at his next appointment when he’d turned 5, they concluded the diagnosis (paediatrician sent ADHD questionnaires also sent to school)

OP posts:
Original poster
Ricecakesaremyjam · 06/03/2025 20:13

What is the position if there is a stand-off scenario where a specialist school is given as an option to me by the LA but I am adamant it wouldn’t meet his needs/is way too far away etc? What happens then? As I understand its my right to refuse as his parent if I don’t think something is being done in his best interests?

OP posts:
Bearhunt468 · 06/03/2025 20:21

If a state funded special school can meet need and offer place the LA would take this one as it is seen to be spending tax payers money more efficiently. They may propose you may the base fees for an private school and they pay SEN too up. It all comes down to cost unfortunately when two schools both can meet need.

Outchy · 06/03/2025 20:24

it is not what is "best" for him or what is in his "best interests" but what is the cheapest option that can meet his needs. This does not have to be the best option. I have been dealing with the system for many years. I think you need to readjust your expectations and maybe brush up a bit on law/what a child is legally entitled to. IPSEA is. fab resource.

soupyspoon · 06/03/2025 20:31

You're jumping the gun a bit in terms of process. If the current school are saying to SEN they cant meet need then a new school needs to be named in the EHCP, SEN need to make approaches to a number of schools and your choice can be among them although someone more informed will say whether your choice MUST be among them or might be considered

The schools need to respond to the approach by saying if they can meet need or not. If a LA school can meet need then thats where he will go. Where is your current evidence that no other school can meet his need?

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