CHC funding for alternative provision

[Tanyalk]

My daughter is 17, she has SMA type 2, however she has lost all use of her body muscles now, she had surgery in July & hasn’t been able to get back into her wheelchair for any real length of time, this has massively impacted on her education as she was due to start college in September, she did 2 days but couldn’t manage the drive due to pain (we live rural & college is a 50 minute drive away). She is very educationally focused, she had to drop out of college, SEND have suggested alternative provision, do continuing healthcare provide funding for a PA whilst she is at home receiving education? I’m a single parent & need to work, however with my daughter now being at home 24/7 it’s becoming difficult due to not having enough funded hours for PA’s in her healthcare budget to provide enough care & as she’s 17 I keep being told I have parental responsibilities up until she’s 18, I have searched everywhere but can’t find answers!!

I don't know about healthcare funding, but you might want to be aware that you do not need A-levels to study with the Open University, so that might be an option for her if she can't make it to college.

Under 18s can access the tuition fee loan; I'm not sure about the maintenance loan and disabled student's allowance. (In England, OU students can only get the maintenance loan if they have disabilities that prevent them studying at a conventional university.)

Does she have an EHCP? If not I would apply for an EHCNA as soon as possible (if you are in England).

EOTAS/EOTIS would typically be via education via an EHCP. I presume DD has an EHCP? If so, when was the last review and do you currently have the right of appeal?

Although, it sounds like you also need the continuing care provision reviewing as well.