SEN but no EHCP yet, school place?

[Dhdujejd]

Has anyone with a child with SEN managed to secure a school place without an EHCP?

My DS was diagnosed with autism just before they broke up for the Xmas holidays. He’s 4 and in reception and extremely behind his peers academically.

The school have been made aware of his diagnosis (they were aware he was being assessed and obviously aware of his struggles and difficulties compared to the other children) and it’s been mentioned he would benefit from having an EHCP in place when school returns.

With the news that school will be back by March earliest I’m starting to feel a little like we’ve fallen through the net a bit. DS is autistic and behind yet we aren’t entitled to a school place, I’m also finding it very difficult to adequately homeschool my older DC whilst caring for him.

Just reaching Out to see if anyone is struggling in a similar situation to me? Or also whether anyone has successfully been allocated a school place for SEN without EHCP in place?

If he is struggling at home I’d contact the school and ask - maybe setting out the problems you are having?

I think it depends on the school. I do children with SEN but no EHCP who have been offered a part time place. I’m struggling to get one for my eldest ( still primary - SEN register but no EHCP)

Have you applied for a ECHP yet, it took three months from me applying to it being granted?
In the meantime talk to the school about your concerns, although if you can spend time one to one he may progress more quickly then he would in school.

Kinda - so I’m a key worker and my husband is also but he is work from home (I’m not), so my youngest two got a place everyday. Then school said that if one parent was work from home you couldn’t have a place as there were too many children in. I asked the school if they could still attend as there was no way my husband would be able to work and have the youngest in the house as he is autistic (no EHCP) and requires a high level of adult input. The headteacher said both children were eligible to attend, the youngest because he is autistic and the middle child because he is a young carer so also classed as vulnerable. One the other hand my eldest who goes to special school and has an EHCP is not able to go to school as it’s shut to all children.

The school needs to do something to obtain an EHCP. They don't drop like apples from a tree into schools' laps. I would expect them to be offering a school place to a child they are concerned enough about to be moving towards statutory assessment. It would ease everyone's path if they can demonstrate that they have offered him an SEN/ vulnerable place over lockdown.

Most sen schools need a EHCP as part of the criteria for admission I think? My daughters school certainly does. I don't think that would change because of the pandemic. I would get some advice from local authority

All my children have been offered a place at school (3) only one has an ehcp

Sorry, I misread this 🤦🏼‍♀️ I would discuss it with school but the EHCP process can drag on so you need to get the ball rolling either way

Not sure if you’ve tried them but if you haven’t, google your local SENDIASS. I worked for one a few years ago and did know of children who were given a place at an SEN school when the assessment was going through. Normally quite extreme cases where the child would 100% not be able to access education in a mainstream setting.

You could also ask for a social care assessment (not sure if these are happening during lockdown) to add a bit of weight to your argument and see if there are other means of support available.

Sorry to hear what a tough time you’re having, it’s never fun in normal circumstances let alone in the middle of a pandemic.

Sorry just re read, if you’re looking for a place at your current school I would have thought your son more than qualifies as vulnerable - do try your local SENDIASS, they may be able to help speak to the school with/ on your behalf

I’d ring them up and speak to the senco or the head. I know that at my school we would do our best to get him in. Good luck.

Our DS is in school currently. He has SEEN but no EHCP. They said he met all the criteria. We also a SW assessment of need started last week. It was on teams

Just to add I don’t think every child with a care plan has been offered a school place. You need to develop a relationship with your school and ask what they can offer.
Having said that my daughters care plan comes with funding for a 1 to 1 TA. She is going in for a few short sessions per week with her funded TA. There is no way she would’ve coped just going in to the keyworker group, would your son cope with this?

You should ask about getting him back in if that's what you and he need. If they haven't started the EHCP process then you can do it.

We would offer a school place, but we are secondary and don't have that many students in.

It probably depends how many other students are in his school/bubble, and whether the school feel like they could safely meet his needs in school.

Have you directly asked for a school place?

Yes, my daughter has a place - obvious SEN but no diagnosis or EHCP yet. I would talk to the school and see if they are able to get him in.

We have lots of Sen children in without an Ehcp. But we have lots of support staff at my school. We have 4 staff per year KW group.

Also, even if you have an EHCP that doesn't necessarily guarantee a place. One of the children in my year is at home at the moment because we don't have the staff to safely accommodate their SEN needs. They often need restraining to prevent self harm and will also run out of the classroom. An impossible situation when you only have 1 adult in the room.

Also, their 1:1 had to isolate and then later tested positive and we're on our knees with staff even though the school is technically 'closed'. We recently had a staff death due to Covid and lots of bubbles have burst.

So it's not always about what you're entitled to but also what is possible.