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Original poster

HELP! cannot get my DD into school

26 replies

CyanRaven · 20/01/2025 22:23

My DD has been on 3 waiting lists after we could not afford her being in private education plus they had no SEN support for. We decided to homeschool until my husbands mental health declined due to work related issues and now I'm the only breadwinner of the two of us.

We cannot manage Homeschooling anymore due to these reasons.

DD has been on school waiting lists but no options for schools have come about.

Can anyone advise how to get her into a decent school close to home who would provide the SEN support our little masker needs?

Any help/support would be greatly appreciated

OP posts:
Original poster
CyanRaven · 20/01/2025 22:25

The council have been really unhelpful btw! No support or signposting given to us at all...

OP posts:
Temporaryname158 · 20/01/2025 22:28

I think if you can you need to expand beyond the 3 school on your list as they are a full and a space may take ages to come up if at all.

you say your husband cannot school her…why not? He is no longer work is he? In which case, seeing as you are working full time? He needs to pick this up. Not schooling her at all isn’t an option.

if he truly cannot offer any teaching, can she do online school? There is obviously a cost but not one comparable to private education

MrsSchrute · 20/01/2025 22:31

What kind of SEN does she have? Is she diagnosed with any conditions?

SilenceInside · 20/01/2025 22:32

If you need her in school I think you'll have to find out from the council if any schools have places and choose from those. And also put her name down on any other schools that might have shorter waiting lists.

Separately, if she had SEN, you could apply to the LA for a EHC needs assessment with a view to getting an EHCP. If your DD has an EHCP that might facilitate you choosing a school. But that's obviously a long term process.

LIZS · 20/01/2025 22:33

You need to ask the council to,provide a place. If you turn that down or say you are homeschooling they do not have to , so be very clear and submit an In Year application. Would dc qualify for an ehcp?

Harrumphhhh · 20/01/2025 22:33

How old is she? And what are the SEN needs?

CharlotteLightandDark · 20/01/2025 22:34

Why can’t your husband homeschool her if he doesn’t work?

Labraradabrador · 20/01/2025 23:47

CharlotteLightandDark · 20/01/2025 22:34

Why can’t your husband homeschool her if he doesn’t work?

Why should anyone be forced into homeschooling because state cannot provide an adequate placement?

MarchingFrogs · 21/01/2025 01:07

CyanRaven · 20/01/2025 22:23

My DD has been on 3 waiting lists after we could not afford her being in private education plus they had no SEN support for. We decided to homeschool until my husbands mental health declined due to work related issues and now I'm the only breadwinner of the two of us.

We cannot manage Homeschooling anymore due to these reasons.

DD has been on school waiting lists but no options for schools have come about.

Can anyone advise how to get her into a decent school close to home who would provide the SEN support our little masker needs?

Any help/support would be greatly appreciated

Have you already appealed for each of the schools you have applied to and not been offered a place?

WarmthAndDepth · 21/01/2025 01:23

If OP's husband's mental health is poor to the point of being unable to work, it's ridiculous to think he will be able to take on home educating their DD. Home educating can be hard work at the best of times, let alone when you're sick.

You may need to accept a place at another school for the time being. How old is she? Depending on age, consider a school which is close to your place of work, or is on an easy public transport route from your home. All schools should provide SEN support irrespective of whether you have a diagnosis of anything -support should be needs based. Otherwise very few children would actually get any help at all, as diagnoses take years in many cases.

timetodecide2345 · 21/01/2025 02:03

I've seen loads of reports on this the last week. Unfortunately that's what happens when the state school system is diminished over years and governments push private education.

I guess you will need to travel.

Tittat50 · 21/01/2025 02:22

Are you applying for the nearest mainstream secondary schools and there are no spaces there in any 3?

All you can do is what the rest of us are doing and that's push back in writing when she's in school for the SEN support you hope she will do well with.

It's going to be limited and you'll be relying on accomodations potentially more than additional supports such as a 1 to 1 or TA.

If she's diagnosed this will help you push back. They say it doesn't matter and it's based on need. Bullshit. Having the diagnosis and pushing back with that helps once in school.

Applying and getting an EHCP is a long process.

PopcornPoppingInAPan · 21/01/2025 08:42

I’m not an expert but should OP not be trying to use the Fair Access Protocol if the LA has not been able to find them a place within 4 weeks? Am surprised no one had mentioned it so maybe I’ve misunderstood it.

LIZS · 21/01/2025 08:53

Being on wl is not the same as making an In Year application, being denied a place and therefore able to appeal or use Fair Access Protocol. You may not get to choose a preferred school but would get a place.

brissled · 21/01/2025 21:11

@CyanRaven if they can't offer you a school within 4 weeks then they have to use the Fair Access Protocol to create a place.

However, if they have already offered you a school, and you turned it down, then they have no further obligation towards you. You need to accept what is offered.

PondWarrior · 21/01/2025 21:18

WarmthAndDepth · 21/01/2025 01:23

If OP's husband's mental health is poor to the point of being unable to work, it's ridiculous to think he will be able to take on home educating their DD. Home educating can be hard work at the best of times, let alone when you're sick.

You may need to accept a place at another school for the time being. How old is she? Depending on age, consider a school which is close to your place of work, or is on an easy public transport route from your home. All schools should provide SEN support irrespective of whether you have a diagnosis of anything -support should be needs based. Otherwise very few children would actually get any help at all, as diagnoses take years in many cases.

Exactly. “husbands mental health declined due to work related issues and now I'm the only breadwinner of the two of us” does not imply “Husband is at home with his feet up, feeling great and ready to home school”! 🤦🏻‍♀️

Lightuptheroom · 21/01/2025 22:39

The fair access protocol would only come into play if op has not been offered a place. OP, you've said that your dc is on 3 waiting lists but not whether you've turned anything else down. Also, by electively home educating you've made it that the local authority don't have any obligation to provide a place.
So, if you need a school place, complete an in year admission application, if there are truly no places available then your dc would be placed at a school under the fair access protocol. It won't necessarily be any of the schools you prefer.

Original poster
CyanRaven · 22/01/2025 00:52

PopcornPoppingInAPan · 21/01/2025 08:42

I’m not an expert but should OP not be trying to use the Fair Access Protocol if the LA has not been able to find them a place within 4 weeks? Am surprised no one had mentioned it so maybe I’ve misunderstood it.

No, not a single mention of this at all!

She's 7 and really needs to be in school now as OP can't homeschool in his poor state.

We had taken her to have her put forward for an assessment however, consultant dismissed her as the private school wanted to keep us with them and sent a glowing report when every parents evening they would report she is not focused, struggling with social interactions etc... I mean it's our word against the schools!

I will look at the fair access protocol as she has not been offered any place so far and has been home since September 24'

Many thanks

OP posts:
brissled · 22/01/2025 06:20

@CyanRaven you didn't answer the question about whether you have turned down an offered place. Have you?

If you haven't turned down an offer then it is likely your LA doesn't know that your circumstances have changed. Have you informed them your child is out of education? That is what will trigger some action. Either she'll be offered a place in a school that has space (not necessarily on your list), or referred to the FAP.

Unless your child has an EHCP, any school will be considered able to cater for her needs.

Original poster
CyanRaven · 22/01/2025 07:30

Sorry I thought I had @brissled

No, she had not been offered a place yet... in any of our local schools but this has prompted me to challenge the LA on this...

We did mention circumstances have changed at home but all we have been told is that she is on waiting lists and there is no guarantee, which we understand...

LA are aware we are HS as we had to submit a report on what she has been studying at home.

Thank you

OP posts:
brissled · 22/01/2025 07:47

"LA are aware we are HS as we had to submit a report on what she has been studying at home."

@CyanRaven To be considered for FAP you will need to tell them explicitly in writing that she is no longer being home schooled and is therefore out of education.

PrincessOfPreschool · 22/01/2025 07:58

Exactly as above. If you have submitted evidence for homeschooling there is no rush to get her a place. You need to tell them home schooling is no longer possible due to your husband's health.

PrincessOfPreschool · 22/01/2025 08:00

I think currently the SEN is a red herring as her previous school have not been supportive so there is no actual evidence. Just her her into a school and hopefully they will be able to help get her diagnosed. Or you can pursue diagnosis separately (with GP) but that won't affect the circumstances as they stand.

Lightuptheroom · 22/01/2025 08:04

As above, you need to tell the local authority that you are no longer electively home educating (in writing) until you do this they have no obligation to find a school place as you have previously told them effectively that you are taking responsibility for your dd education.
At the same time, complete an In Year Admission application, your preferences can be the ones she is on the waiting list for, but please note they are preferences not choices. If there are no spaces available 'within a reasonable distance' then the application would be passed to the fair access team to place. Again, the place offered may not be what you want but you should accept it. The In Year Admission application should take 10 school days to go through Admissions and a maximum of 20 school days to go through fair access.
You need to get the application in now and make very clear on the form that you are ceasing to electively home educate your dd.

LIZS · 22/01/2025 08:11

CyanRaven · 22/01/2025 07:30

Sorry I thought I had @brissled

No, she had not been offered a place yet... in any of our local schools but this has prompted me to challenge the LA on this...

We did mention circumstances have changed at home but all we have been told is that she is on waiting lists and there is no guarantee, which we understand...

LA are aware we are HS as we had to submit a report on what she has been studying at home.

Thank you

Edited

But have you made an In Year application formally and told LA you are not able to HS, that would raise an obligation on them to find a place. It sounds as of you have been passive thus far. Told them you want a place, joined three wl but no place arisen yet. Is she year 2(when infant class size restrictions apply) or year 3 which is a bit more flexible and easier to appeal for?

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