To wonder where these kids are meant to go?!

[Wonderberry]

Unfortunately, my child's school is closing due to the VAT imposition on private school fees. She has special needs, and her fees are paid for by her EHCP, as it is a cheaper alternative to a special school. I am not rich. She cannot attend a state mainstream due to her special needs, and the council agrees with this.

I now have no school placement for her. The special schools are hugely oversubscribed (over 10 applications per place). Even if she could go to a state mainstream, there is no space in any of them, due to lots of schools closing locally. I have called dozens of them in desperation, as I need for her to go somewhere.

I have been frantically contacting the council to get her a new school place. They won't even respond. I'm faced with her being without any school place shortly. I cannot home school as I need to work.

My DD is far from alone in this. Unfortunately, the government has paid no thought into the wellbeing of SEND children, when imposing the VAT.

This!!!

”A child who can manage in mainstream private should be able to manage in mainstream state when supported.”

If the private one offers tiny classes, break out spaces, sensory/quiet areas and a broad curriculum and they are things that cannot be delivered in state, because they simply don’t have them, then what should happen?

DC don’t get an independent MS named just because it is better. There is no legal right to the best possible education. Provision in EHCPs has to actually legally be reasonably required. To have a wholly independent school named the parents need to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure. They don’t get the independent MS named just because it is ‘better’.

Not all DC who can manage in an independent MS can be supported in a state MS. If they could be, the independent MS wouldn’t be named, and thus funded, via their EHCP.

Sadly DC of parents who know the system and can advocate for them get better support. It shouldn’t be like that and fails the most vulnerable. However, instead of blaming the parents of DC who secure provision their child is legally entitled to, all parents should be supported to enforce their child’s rights.

Can I point out what should be obvious - most parents want the best for their child. They want them to thrive and be calm and happy. If they know that can’t happen with the current state offering, then they have no alternative than to look at private sector and neither does the LA.

There’s no school that’s closed that wasn’t in huge financial trouble.
theyre businesses, and if they can’t get enough paying customers then they aren’t viable.

Then the LA needs to do that for every child- except they can’t.

I can't even dignify this with a reply

with a rapidly declining birth rate, state school places isn’t a huge concern in lots of areas. I live in the South East in a popular area and 3 out of 4 local primaries (all good or excellent ofsted rating) have spaces in my kids year. The reception class this year I my kids school had 20 kids in a class big enough for 30.

Im sorry you’re in a tricky situation and I really do hope you find a suitable resolution.

And yet legally they must. So then what? I keep asking you but you don’t reply.

What kind of sector do you work in that a huge hike in taxes and costs wouldn’t damage it?

Looking at provision like this for a start

“suspect there'll be a shift towards providing "autism friendly" classes in state schools.”

Op they will have to find your dc a place though?

Does their documentation say they have to go in non mainstream?

They can’t just leave you without a place, surely

@TesterP0t that already happens to an extent via units/bases/cabins/provisions within MS. It isn’t suitable for all and never will be regardless of what support is put in place. And not all DC unable to be taught in state schools have autism.

It is not sustainable!!!!!!

@TesterP0t why are you backing this woefully inadequate government they are SHIT

@TesterP0t state schools and independent special schools cannot cater for all DC with SEN. Removing other options won’t see a reduction in costs. Costs will actually rise. There will be an increase in expensive EOTAS/EOTIS (with or without the C on the end) packages. LAs do not like expensive EOTAS/EOTIS packages. They like them even less than independent school placements. They aren’t the easy or cheap option. Some EOTAS/EOTIS packages cost a lot more than school placements.

Neither is having children in mainstream who are incapable of coping and disrupt the class to the extent that the teaching staff can't ensure their safety and welfare or the safety and welfare of the other children.

Many schools manage children like this successfully.

Ok so HOW do you fix it? This isn’t about arsehole grabby parents, so what do you think is the answer?

WHAT ABOUT THE ONES THAT CANT?

And many don't and no one learns anything and the children are subjected regularly to the unedifying spectacle of vulnerable, overwhelmed classmates being restrained and removed from an environment they can't cope in.

The current system is shit and needs to change.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/657995f0254aaa000d050bff/Arranging_education_for_children_who_cannot_attend_school_because_of_health_needs.pdf

@TesterP0t and many children and young people do not manage successfully in state schools. It is why they have an independent school named in the first place.

Exactly @CrispieCake. There are already parents of DC without SEN who post things like their child needs a school with a low SEN intake. Add in more DC, with more complex SEN for whom MS is not appropriate and it makes for an even less inclusive environment.