SEN school placement

[SayNoToStilton]

a specialist school placement is being sought for my son by the local authority. There is a local specialist school which has a terrible reputation and which I have asked his case worker to not consult with. She has emailed me to say she has made a note not to consult with this school.
does that mean this school will definitely not be consulted with? Or is that her basically saying yes I note your preference….but the local authority may still consult with it anyway?
Any advice appreciated! Thankyou!

Ìt depends on your sons needs really the LA are obliged to find a school that can meet his needs ,and they will always go for the cheaper option ,have you visited the school ?
Maybe if you did you would feel differently
If you wanted a specialist school outside of the LA you would have to prove why that school is the only one that can meet his needs .

I would say it also depends on the outcomes of the first round of consultations. It may be a case of ‘needs must’

The la will most certainly consult with the cheapest option.
They are required though to consult with your choice of school and to give a place there (aside from a couple of conditions- if they can't meet his needs, or if they deem it incompatible with the effective education of others).
Local authorities in this situation are a law unto themselves at the moment. If you look at the tribunal statistics they are losing almost all cases in every area due to their unlawful decision making. And that's just the ones that pursue to tribunal, their tactics are working to scare off many parents from fighting at all, or to take advantage of parents trust in them.
I would strongly advise you contact your local sendiass so you know exactly where you stand. Consult with schools yourself (some may not be helpful, others will be) and be prepared to fight right up to tribunal. Good luck.