SEND Alternative Provision

[louloubooboo1906]

Can anyone help…. My son has an EHCP was in special school, dropped down to EMAB and is struggling. Can’t attend a mainstream. There’s an alternative provision he attended and wants to attend. This is max 15 hours. How do others in AP’s navigate GCSE’s if they aren’t able to get the full teaching within the AP? Thank you he’s y8 September y9

He can have two different APs in place.

More than one AP. Or via attending one formal AP then other alternative provision on top via someone/somewhere that isn’t a formal AP e.g. therapies, tutors, sports/exercise/music/cookery/drama lessons, mentor…

It also depends somewhat on the AP and the individual child. Although 15hrs isn’t a full-time education, it may be enough teaching for GCSEs. With other provision separate from GCSE teaching/tuition on top to ensure they are receiving a full-time education.

If you haven’t already requested an early review, you should do that too.

@perpetualplatespinning hes only been in this setting since March on a slow transition but now refusing. This was a move from previous Sen school as part of an emergency review. Can I ask for AP or will they consult schools again. I have a daughter in EOTAS about to try another school after a year. I just can’t cope with another EOTAS. I have 4 children and I’ve constantly got three at home and it’s just never ending. It’s so hard the whole thing I just feel so burnt out now. It’s been 4 years of kids in and out of schools for massive periods of time.

It depends what you mean. If you mean request an early review and pursue EOTAS/EOTIS, where part of the package may be provided via an AP or more than one AP, the LA is likely to consult other schools. That shouldn’t put you off though, and LAs often lie and say they have to consult every possible school when they don’t. But if you mean AP under s19 of the Education Act 1996, that won’t automatically trigger the LA consulting other schools. However, they may decide the EHCP needs reviewing anyway separately to their s19 duty and they may consult schools as part of the review process.

When you say you can’t cope with EOTAS/EOTIS again, how do you mean? Genuine question, I am not being funny. I ask because if it is because the LA is expecting you to organise, facilitate or deliver the provision, that doesn’t have to happen. The LA cannot compel you to do that. The LA is responsible. Neither do you have to accept provision in the home. The LA cannot force you to accept that.

I know this is only a post on MN and you aren’t speaking to the LA, but just in case when discussing it with professionals it helps to use can’t attend rather than refusing. Some professionals hear the word refusing and see it as a choice.

@perpetualplatespinning his EHCP was reviewed and amended as part of the last emergency review in March and I’m happy with it. It does reflect where he’s at. But he just can’t seem to handle the settings anymore. He’s a ‘limbo’ child interns he can’t handle the environment of mainstream or special the EMAB hasn’t worked either. Completely out of options. The LA said at last review when we wanted AP that they can’t name that permanently.

In terms of EOTAS with my daughter it’s three hours a day taken out so for the rest of the day I have to be there as she’s only 11. Nenof the days I take her as I don’t think she would have handled the transport initially. One day is an hour at home. So when I say can’t handle it’s the constant kids at home. Lots of boredom and needing entertaining. It’s like the school holidays everyday! I can’t work or go out it’s really hard now especially as they get older.

thats a good point about saying can’t attend. Thank you

EOTAS/EOTIS wise, your problem isn’t/wasn’t EOTAS in and of itself. It is that the package is poor. A proper EOTAS/EOTIS package would not be like that. It can be a full-time education and DC wouldn’t be bored and need entertaining. Neither would you have to be present, and you could go out/work if you want. Provision doesn’t have to be at home either - the LA can’t force you to accept that.

The LA can’t name APs that aren’t schools in section I of the EHCP. (There are some AP schools but they aren’t the same sort of APs you mean.) But provision in F can be provided by an AP long term via EOTAS/EOTIS. Section I is blank for EOTAS/EOTIS and the provision (but not the specific name of the provider) is detailed, specified and quantified in F. Despite what some LAs claim, that can be long term. Although, like all EHCPs, it is subject to ARs.

You need another early review of the EHCP if DS can’t attend the current setting. I know you have said you are happy with the content, but it sounds like it needs amending.

I would call sossen or IPSEA op and they should be able to give good advice