Secondary school Solihull for undiagnosed autism without ehcp

[NattyCoralLemur]

Hi
Hope someone can help me.
My son is due to start secondary school next September.
He has been under send for many years with out a EHCP.
I'm looking for advise on secondary schools in the solihull area West midlands that he could go to which would be mainstream that have arp that don't require a EHCP I'm really stressing how he's going to get on. Really appreciate any advise if any one has gone through this in my local area.

As he doesn’t have either a diagnosis nor an EHCP you need to focus on the schools in your locality which he has a chance of getting into. It’s really pointless looking any further afield as he most likely wont get a place. He almost certainly wont meet the criteria for a place in an ARP - those places are as rare as hen’s teeth and are filled with students with EHCP’s.
Have you considered applying for an EHCP? If you submit an application for a needs assessment asap he may well receive one by January which could impact on what secondary provision he can access.

Langley or Alderbrook.
Technically Langley isn’t an autism unit but they are very good with SEND.
I’ve also heard good things about Lyndon for pastoral support but they don’t get great results.
I’m a primary teacher though so not massively knowledgeable.

@NattyCoralLemur

Why doesn't he have an EHCP, OP?

What is the process in your area for the diagnosis of children who may be autistic?

There is a 2 to 3 year wait for an EHCP at the moment - so I expect the referral has already gone in.
We are referring in year 3 not expecting them to come through until year 5.

I second starting with looking at what schools you actually have a chance of being offered of place at. You won’t get a place in an ARP without an EHCP. Many ASD ARPs need a formal diagnosis too.

There is a 2 to 3 year wait for an EHCP at the moment

Unless you have to appeal, which I appreciate many do, some more than once, it doesn’t have to take this long. The EHCP process is governed by statutory timescales. If the LA breach them, as is often the case, parents can take enforcement action, including judicial review if necessary.

OK.
It’s not my job to fill in the SEND paperwork or anything.
Oh wait …

And I support parents across the country to enforce the timescales set out in law when LAs breach them. Parents don’t have to accept LAs acting unlawful.

Has he had or is he waiting for any assessments? What support does he currently get at primary? If you have a supportive senco, I'd say request an EHC Needs Assessment. It's likely to get rejected, so then you'll need to go to mediation/tribunal, all of which takes time.

What is your catchment secondary?

He has been under send for years only recently has there been any real changes.
I have asked through his Senco Teacher and have been told he dosent need it! I beg to differ as my son has got older I feel he now has more autistic traits which are been managed but I don't think it's good enough.

@NattyCoralLemur

Would you feel able to request the EHCP Assessment yourself, OP?

www.solihull.gov.uk/children-and-family-support/localoffer/EHC-assessment-process

He is now on the waiting list for assessment, probably won't get this till he is already in secondary school now, so frustrating I've been asking for it for years! He is under sen and has been for years, he get support with his current school in solihull they have been supportive and caring but feel I want more and everyone seem so busy to help it just takes so long to get things done. He suffers badly with anxiety and is a daily struggle in school. I really want to find a great secondary school in solihull that will support him he's actually does well just needs that confidence.

That’s appalling. The timescale for EHCPs is 20 weeks.

I generally put aside 2 working days to complete all paperwork for needs assessments, it’s a matter of collating everything that’s already been put in place.

It’s not a done deal that someone with a diagnosis of ASD will also meet the criteria for an EHCP. If their needs can be met through SEN Support, that’s a positive.

What schools are you likely to get into from where you live?

You can request an EHCNA now yourself. It won’t be in place before you need to apply for secondary schools and it may not be in place for the start of secondary but if you think it is necessary you should make the request. You don’t need to wait for a diagnosis.

What’s your catchment secondary? Without an ehcp you need to focus on getting the best support you can in your local school. As I’m sure you’re aware, most Solihull secondaries are hugely over subscribed.