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What to include in EHCP to support specialist secondary school placement?

78 replies

Sssteph · 26/03/2026 18:18

Hi everyone,

I’ve just received the draft EHCP for my son. He’s a dyslexic boy in Year 5, and he’s really struggling in mainstream school because he hasn’t had the right support so far.

We’re hoping he can get into Burlington House in Fulham when he starts secondary school, as it’s a specialist school that could really meet his needs.

I’m wondering if anyone here has experience with this: what’s really important to include in the EHCP to strengthen the case for a specialist secondary school? Are there specific targets, support types, or wording that make a difference?

I really want to make sure his plan reflects his needs properly, because the mainstream setting isn’t giving him the support he requires. Any advice, experiences, or tips would be so appreciated!

Thank you in advance.

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Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:27

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 10:06

Oh, and ‘starting early’ rather than ‘finishing late’ may be a helpful approach, so your child finishes at the same time as everyone and thus moves on to the next activity / lesson / playtime in a more seamless, less visible way - extra time can feel a bit like a ‘punishment’, especially when the child anyway finds the content and process of the test really hard.

I totally agree with you. I still believe that if we pay for reports and we know that a student needs extra time or in general a different support, the teachers should be able to deliver that support in a sensible way.

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Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:28

Shinyandnew1 · 30/03/2026 09:31

Are the professionals involved saying a specialist provision is the only place that will need need?

Professionals said specialist support, small class size etc..

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Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:30

Lougle · 30/03/2026 09:24

"EHCPs, especially at secondary transition, are not a wishlist, or a magic ticket to get whatever your child might benefit from."

I think this isn't understood enough. EHCPs are legal documents that set out a child's educational needs (as assessed by professionals), the outcomes that will need to be achieved to meet those needs, and the provision needed to achieve the outcomes.

The SEN legislation only mandates that an Educational Psychologist assesses the child. However, it also says that the LA must consult with anyone the parent reasonably requests. So parents with OT concerns can request an OT assessment, and Speech and Language issues can be assessed by a SaLT. It is those reports which define and evidence 'need'. If it's not in the report, it isn't a need. They also define the outcomes and the provision.

The less specific and robust the recommendations in reports are, the more likely it is that a LA will conclude that a mainstream school can meet need. Conversely, some needs will clearly require specialist education. For example, DD3 had an EP report that said she needed 1:1 support, a small environment, bespoke provision to engage with her and encourage her to attend school, etc. That automatically ruled out every mainstream secondary school because she needed a small school. The 1:1 support meant that they opted for an independent special school which has bespoke timetabling and 1:1 support at all times, where the staff will come out to the home and deliver sessions if necessary. But it was only so because her reports all said 'This kid is super smart but she's an absolute mess and any school is going to have to work really hard to get her to even attend, and honestly...not sure how they are going to do it, but they will have to start really slowly and build up contact."

So you need to look at your reports. Do they say that specialist provision is needed? Can the recommended provision be made in a mainstream school?

They do say specialist provision.

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cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 11:42

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:27

I totally agree with you. I still believe that if we pay for reports and we know that a student needs extra time or in general a different support, the teachers should be able to deliver that support in a sensible way.

A teacher - delivering a test to an entire class, possibly in the absence of any other adults - asking a child ‘have you done absolutely everything you can do? Would you like some more time?’ IS a sensible approach. Saying to a child who has stared blankly at a test paper for the past 20 minutes ‘you must now have 10 minutes more’, is NOT sensible….

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:52

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 11:42

A teacher - delivering a test to an entire class, possibly in the absence of any other adults - asking a child ‘have you done absolutely everything you can do? Would you like some more time?’ IS a sensible approach. Saying to a child who has stared blankly at a test paper for the past 20 minutes ‘you must now have 10 minutes more’, is NOT sensible….

I don't blame the teacher for being alone and trying her best, I know that managing a whole class is difficult. My son shares a TA with a boy with higher needs, they seat together. I just believe, and I have asked her just not to ask him in front of everyone. If he has finished or he is tired it is ok, but asking in front of everyone I don't find it sensible. They are children and they might refuse because don't want to feel "different?".

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Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:54

Geneticsbunny · 30/03/2026 09:25

Who is recommending a specialist setting and why?

The Ep because it is clear that the mainstream is not a good fit for him.

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Sssteph · 30/03/2026 12:06

Lougle · 30/03/2026 08:31

I am working on the draft, would something like this work?

SMART - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time Bound

"Daily, intensive literacy intervention starting from phonics fundamentals."

What is intensive? That could be 15 minutes of Read, Write, Inc. in a group of 30 children. Or it could be 15 minutes of 1:1 phonics teaching.... An hour? 2 hours? Will he have the stamina for intense intervention?

What does 'phonics fundamentals' mean and what does that look like? Who delivers it? How often? What is the evidence that it's required? Where is it specified as a need?

"Responsibility for intervention clearly assigned to a specialist teacher or trained TA, with specific targets and measurable progress tracking."

What defines a trained TA? What makes a teacher specialist? Who sets the targets? How are targets defined? What measure of progress is used? What is done with the tracking? How often is it reviewed? Honestly, it's meaningless waffle. Again, what evidence do you have that he needs a trained TA or a Specialist teacher?

Explicit inclusion of multi-sensory approaches:
"Audio books, visual word banks, word-image associations"

Is this listed as a need in a report, or is it the usual vomit on a page of all the stuff dyslexic kids might benefit from? Most of this stuff can be provided in mainstream. All schools provide word banks.

"Literacy-boosting games (e.g., Bananagrams, Apples to Apples)"

When will this be used? How often? For how long? In a group of children? 1:1 with a TA?

"Home reinforcement strategies (e.g., Paired Reading with parent guidance)"

How is this relevant to his school provision? Are you intending that school provides guidance? What makes it special educational provision rather than a good thing for a parent to do?

"Access to structured spelling programmes (e.g., Hornet) once reading is established."

Is this in a report? Access to means it's there if he wants it. It doesn't mean it has to be used. So, again, how often? How long for? Who with? How reviewed?

"Use of computer-based literacy programmes (e.g., Lexia, Spellodrome, Phono-Graphix/Accelerated programmes)."

Is this in reports? Again, most mainstream schools will have access to this stuff.

"This is what I want them to add in the Literacy Sec F
I still need to add few things."

This really isn't how the EHCP process works. You don't write a bucket list. You have professional reports which state outcomes and needs/provision. They are then -watered down by- incorporated by the LA into section B (outcomes) and section F provision.

This is by no means perfect, or even very good, but it is an example from DD2's EHCP:

DD2 requires 6 direct occupational therapy meetings to build rapport and complete the education assessment and subsequent sensory diet and movement programme with DD2 to support her interaction with her education programme, at home by DD2 and adult support / family. Following initial relationship building of 6 sessions. DD2 will receive ongoing 12 sessions per academic year and additional time for review, updating programmes / attending review meetings. 18 sessions in total throughout the academic year.
To be provided by: a qualified Occupational therapist Staff/ student ratio: 1:1
How much/ quantity: one hour Termly review.
How often: 18 sessions per academic year "

An excerpt from DD1's EHCP. Terribly wooly, to be honest, but it does specify that she needs support constantly:

"Adults to provide mediation to work systematically, model labelling as a strategy before starting a task and the need to be accurate, e.g. describe exactly what you can see, then formulate a plan/break down into steps. Use visuals such as task planners to support this process. DD1 will need constant encouragement and motivating factors to keep her on track.
To be provided by: College
Staff Staff/ student ratio: 1:1
How much/ quantity: At all times in all lessons.
How often: Every lesson"

I'm concerned that you have been misled somewhere about how the EHCP process works and that you think you can just ask for things that you think are important. You really need to read the posts by @ChasingMoreSleep again. They have extensive experience in helping parents to ensure that EHCPs meet the legal standard and holding LAs to account if they don't. If you try to add stuff that isn't evidenced, the LA would knock it back and you would then lose at tribunal because you don't have any evidence that it's needed.

You need to be critical when you are assessing the wording. Think of a 10 year old that really doesn't want to do what you've told them to do. "Well you said 'at some point' so I didn't do it yet". "Well you didn't say I had to do it, you just said you'd like me to do it...." "Well you said it would be nice to include Tommy, you didn't say I absolutely had to."

I have missed this part this morning, thank you so so much for writing this down 🤍

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cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 12:08

Does the EP report say ‘X’s needs can only be met in a specialist setting that can provide a, b and c because ….’ or ‘X might benefit from a specialist setting’?

The latter is - obviously - not as useful, and you still have to evidence why this particular expensive setting (not eg a unit within mainstream) is the only option.

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 12:18

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 12:08

Does the EP report say ‘X’s needs can only be met in a specialist setting that can provide a, b and c because ….’ or ‘X might benefit from a specialist setting’?

The latter is - obviously - not as useful, and you still have to evidence why this particular expensive setting (not eg a unit within mainstream) is the only option.

This is in the Recommendations from the Ep, it is at the end of his report.

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cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 12:22

Yes, but the wording is critical.

’X must now be admitted to specialist as a matter of urgency because their needs of x, y and z can no longer be safely met in mainstream for a, b, c reasons’ DID result in a specialist place (eventually).

’A specialist placement for X could be considered’ did not.

Both were in recommendations of the relevant reports.

ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 16:52

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 11:28

Professionals said specialist support, small class size etc..

You need to look at the exact wording. Specialist support isn’t the same as required a specialist placement. Is ‘small class size’ defined? What is a small class?

DC need to be taught how to use exam access arrangements. That can and should be in the EHCP.

You say DS shares a TA with a child with higher needs. Since the LA has not yet finalised the EHCP, is DS piggybacking on the EHCP provision of the other child? If the other child should have 1:1 and it is detailed, specified and quantified in F, I hope they know what is happening and that they can take action to remedy the situation.

Trialanderror23 · 30/03/2026 17:14

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 12:22

Yes, but the wording is critical.

’X must now be admitted to specialist as a matter of urgency because their needs of x, y and z can no longer be safely met in mainstream for a, b, c reasons’ DID result in a specialist place (eventually).

’A specialist placement for X could be considered’ did not.

Both were in recommendations of the relevant reports.

The issue here is that she is seeking a specific I specialist school that is not a high needs school. Being to quantified and 1-1 will not secure a place down the school. They will be far stricter this year in taking children with additional needs to.

it needs to be quantified and education based the report needs to specify more yes but not too much as BHS they won’t take kids requiring 1-1 or a high level of need / care.

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 17:15

ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 16:52

You need to look at the exact wording. Specialist support isn’t the same as required a specialist placement. Is ‘small class size’ defined? What is a small class?

DC need to be taught how to use exam access arrangements. That can and should be in the EHCP.

You say DS shares a TA with a child with higher needs. Since the LA has not yet finalised the EHCP, is DS piggybacking on the EHCP provision of the other child? If the other child should have 1:1 and it is detailed, specified and quantified in F, I hope they know what is happening and that they can take action to remedy the situation.

I believe they know, it is mentioned somewhere that my son at the moment is receiving 2:1 support, which I believe (sorry I might've been wrong because I am not an expert) him and the other boy are sharing the TA.

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ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 17:20

I know your DS is receiving 2:1 and sharing a TA, but if the other child sharing the support has an EHCP with 1:1 detailed, specified and quantified in F, I hope the parent(s) of the other child knows it is happening and knows they can challenge it. If the other child has an EHCP with 1:1 detailed, specified and quantified in F, the school should not be sharing the support and they are leaving themselves and the LA open to legal action.

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 17:46

Trialanderror23 · 30/03/2026 17:14

The issue here is that she is seeking a specific I specialist school that is not a high needs school. Being to quantified and 1-1 will not secure a place down the school. They will be far stricter this year in taking children with additional needs to.

it needs to be quantified and education based the report needs to specify more yes but not too much as BHS they won’t take kids requiring 1-1 or a high level of need / care.

That’s a real tightrope to walk - severe enough that local authority will fund instead of mainstream BUT low enough needs for the private school to accept.

I think this is where you have to contact the school in question and work with them on exactly what they know to have been successful in the past.

What proportion of the school’s places are currently filled by fully state-funded pupils via EHCPs?

Trialanderror23 · 30/03/2026 17:51

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 17:46

That’s a real tightrope to walk - severe enough that local authority will fund instead of mainstream BUT low enough needs for the private school to accept.

I think this is where you have to contact the school in question and work with them on exactly what they know to have been successful in the past.

What proportion of the school’s places are currently filled by fully state-funded pupils via EHCPs?

in our class of 19 only one is self funded.

ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 17:54

cantkeepawayforever · 30/03/2026 17:46

That’s a real tightrope to walk - severe enough that local authority will fund instead of mainstream BUT low enough needs for the private school to accept.

I think this is where you have to contact the school in question and work with them on exactly what they know to have been successful in the past.

What proportion of the school’s places are currently filled by fully state-funded pupils via EHCPs?

The 24/25 census data showed 83.87% of pupils at the Fulham site had EHCPs. Although I don’t know if any of them had EHCPs but still self funded or not.

Trialanderror23 · 30/03/2026 17:58

ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 17:54

The 24/25 census data showed 83.87% of pupils at the Fulham site had EHCPs. Although I don’t know if any of them had EHCPs but still self funded or not.

Yes even though in a middle class area the fees are still too high for most.
Most are LA funded from H&F, Ealing, Wandsworth ( weirdly don’t know any from K&C )
and some further a field. H&F don’t like tribunals
and seem a little easier to get the fees paid by than the others.

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 21:02

ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 17:20

I know your DS is receiving 2:1 and sharing a TA, but if the other child sharing the support has an EHCP with 1:1 detailed, specified and quantified in F, I hope the parent(s) of the other child knows it is happening and knows they can challenge it. If the other child has an EHCP with 1:1 detailed, specified and quantified in F, the school should not be sharing the support and they are leaving themselves and the LA open to legal action.

I am not sure about what the other child has on his plan, I just know that in the report the Senco completed for my son (the one where they ask parent's point of view and school point of view) the senco said my son is having 2:1 support, which I believe is my son sharing the TA. I can just be sure about what I see on my son's paper. I will double check, but I am quite sure she said 2:1.

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ChasingMoreSleep · 30/03/2026 21:28

I didn’t expect you to know what was in the other child’s EHCP. I was just saying if the other child has an EHCP and 1:1 is detailed, specified and quantified in F, I hope the other parent is aware 1:1 isn’t being provided and knows they don’t have to allow it to continue.

Lougle · 30/03/2026 21:42

2:1 support normally means 2 supporters to one supported person. I think you mean 1:2 support. That might be important because it suggests the wrong level of care, especially if you're aiming for a 'mainstream lite' environment.

I really think you have three issues here:

  1. What, specifically, do your reports say? Do they specify outcomes and provision that can only be achieved by a placement in a specialist school?

  2. What does the target school offer that isn't offered in mainstream schools? Do you have the evidence that it is needed in your reports?

  3. Can the provision in 2) be provided in a mainstream school with additional resources, and if so, is that cheaper than providing a place in the specialist school.

Going back to my DDs as an example, it wouldn't have mattered how much provision they had in mainstream. 1:1, 2:1....8:1.... They couldn't achieve the small and therapeutic environment that was deemed necessary. Someone who needed 1:1 support but was fine with a mainstream environment would be given a TA in school.

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 21:49

Lougle · 30/03/2026 21:42

2:1 support normally means 2 supporters to one supported person. I think you mean 1:2 support. That might be important because it suggests the wrong level of care, especially if you're aiming for a 'mainstream lite' environment.

I really think you have three issues here:

  1. What, specifically, do your reports say? Do they specify outcomes and provision that can only be achieved by a placement in a specialist school?

  2. What does the target school offer that isn't offered in mainstream schools? Do you have the evidence that it is needed in your reports?

  3. Can the provision in 2) be provided in a mainstream school with additional resources, and if so, is that cheaper than providing a place in the specialist school.

Going back to my DDs as an example, it wouldn't have mattered how much provision they had in mainstream. 1:1, 2:1....8:1.... They couldn't achieve the small and therapeutic environment that was deemed necessary. Someone who needed 1:1 support but was fine with a mainstream environment would be given a TA in school.

Sorry I made a mistake. My son is not receiving any support. I have just seen that 1:2 is in a folder where LA was making the calculation about the money for my son. It is about outcomes, frequency, what kind of support in that space is 1:2. My mistake I thought it was a file from my senco and because they seat together I believed they were sharing the TA. Sorry for the confusion

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Sssteph · 30/03/2026 21:50

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 21:49

Sorry I made a mistake. My son is not receiving any support. I have just seen that 1:2 is in a folder where LA was making the calculation about the money for my son. It is about outcomes, frequency, what kind of support in that space is 1:2. My mistake I thought it was a file from my senco and because they seat together I believed they were sharing the TA. Sorry for the confusion

Now the question is, do I still need to ask LA to specify on the plan even if it is on the other file 1:2, daily support, 1 hour, etc etc

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Lougle · 30/03/2026 22:01

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 21:50

Now the question is, do I still need to ask LA to specify on the plan even if it is on the other file 1:2, daily support, 1 hour, etc etc

You can't ask them to specify stuff that isn't in his reports. So do the reports recommend 1:2, daily support, 1 hour, etc?

Think back to the process:

  • EHC Needs Assessment is requested
  • LA considers if legal threshold is met (child has or may have SEN and may need provision from a Plan)
  • LA issues decision to assess needs
  • LA commissions assessments
  • Professionals meet child and assess
  • Professionals write reports stating the child's needs, outcomes and provision that will meet their needs.
  • LA read reports. They decide if a plan is needed. If they decide it isn't, they issue a refusal to issue an EHCP and give recommendations for support in school.
  • If they are satisfied that a plan is needed, and they are happy with the content of the report, they start to write the EHCP.
  • If they feel the report is not clear, or not evidenced, or they feel that the professional has made recommendations outside of their professional scope, they will go back to them to ask them to clarify/modify their report.
  • Draft report is sent to parents for comment.

So it all comes back to the reports. Do they specify and quantify support? If they don't, it's the report writer that needs to do so.

Sssteph · 30/03/2026 22:06

Lougle · 30/03/2026 22:01

You can't ask them to specify stuff that isn't in his reports. So do the reports recommend 1:2, daily support, 1 hour, etc?

Think back to the process:

  • EHC Needs Assessment is requested
  • LA considers if legal threshold is met (child has or may have SEN and may need provision from a Plan)
  • LA issues decision to assess needs
  • LA commissions assessments
  • Professionals meet child and assess
  • Professionals write reports stating the child's needs, outcomes and provision that will meet their needs.
  • LA read reports. They decide if a plan is needed. If they decide it isn't, they issue a refusal to issue an EHCP and give recommendations for support in school.
  • If they are satisfied that a plan is needed, and they are happy with the content of the report, they start to write the EHCP.
  • If they feel the report is not clear, or not evidenced, or they feel that the professional has made recommendations outside of their professional scope, they will go back to them to ask them to clarify/modify their report.
  • Draft report is sent to parents for comment.

So it all comes back to the reports. Do they specify and quantify support? If they don't, it's the report writer that needs to do so.

Edited

My reports are not detailed, probably they will go back to them after my questions.
Now I am starting to understand what I need to have in my plan. I can just add to copy and paste things that the Ep said in the report and are missing in the draft. So if she did not mention who, when and how, I have to ask them to go back to the person who wrote the report. I hope I am right and start understanding.

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