Moving schools when the child has an EHCP

[Topaz89]

Just a general question without going in too many details. Is it easy to apply to move schools when a child has an EHCP, or are LAs more reluctant to do so/do they put more of a barrier up?

I’m worried I’ve picked the wrong school for my DS who is starting secondary school in September. Not ruled out the possibility of trying to move him if his school isn’t right.

Has anyone moved/tried to move their child to a different school when they have an EHCP? I know the process will be a bit more complicated… or is it?

Did you do your research on this school before asking for it to be consulted?

Yes lots of research and I was/am with how they will support my DS. His older brother goes to that school too and is sort of under the SENCO’s care albeit without an EHCP or diagnosis.

So I am very familiar with the school and I’m aware of how my DS’s needs will be supported. He has learning difficulties and has a diagnosis of ASD, and their SEN support looks ideal for him.

Than I think you're just going through the same anxieties that all parents with EHCP kids get this time of year. Esp once your child's friends get offers rolling in, you'll start to worry even more. It's normal. I remember this so clearly. I feel like I have PTSD from the primary to secondary transfer, so I do feel for you. Do read up on the basics of this process though, it'll ease your anxieties massively.
If you already have experience of the SEND offer in this school, and are happy with it, I'd leave it. We moved my DD from MS to special last year. Now after a term, we're moving back to MS. It's not stress free, I won't lie, but it's not a prison sentence and the school doesn't have to be failing him for him to be moved. Saying that, if you want to move a child, something is clearly going wrong, so that's the reason you use.

Hi OP, would it help put your mind at rest to speak to the SENCO and discuss what they offer in the way of transition?

I think this would be a good time to ring. Year 7 should be settling in, the exam period hasn't started and national offer day's still a month away.

To help you understand EHCPs better have a look at IPSEA and SOSSEN’s website.

If it's a school that's popular with EHCP applicants, they'll be drowning in consultations currently. It's best to wait. Sencos will always have a set time in their calendar pencilled in for the ehcp kids.

It very much depends on the school and the child. Some SENCOs do not proactively organise enhanced transition for pupils with EHCPs or only organise 1 or 2 more visits. Some DC need more than even the normal enhanced transition and need arrangements earlier than other pupils with an EHCP. For example, DS visited once a week after February half term. Starting transition in the summer term would not have been enough for him.

Wow. Once a week!

@Foxesandsquirrels yeah, I actually teach at a school with lots of EHCP kids (some of whom I teach) and it took me nearly my whole first year to have a substantive conversation with the SENCO.

Start early. The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

Hi everyone, it’s been a while since I last posted on here.

My DS left school today, and he’s being bullied by some of the kids who are going to his new school in September. Online stuff, making fun of him on group chats, telling him he’s got no friends now his best friends are going to a different one to him. Laughing at his spelling mistakes and patronising him.

I really am in bits here and just want to try to get him moved but it’s too late. Please help! Can I really not request to move him now over the summer holidays? I know this bullying will follow him in to school when he starts even if he’s cut them all off.

I am sorry DS is being bullied. It is worth emailing the school to make them aware.

You can still request an early review. However, it is highly unlikely you will have a finalised EHCP naming another placement before September.

Hi, thank you for your reply. Do I contact the council to request an early review or the school?

I think it is unlikely too unfortunately.
But when they do come to looking at it, on what grounds would the LA refuse to name another school? Could they refuse my request if I am worried about him being bullied?

Even if the SEND team agree to consult again (rather than waiting for early AR), schools have 15 days to respond to consults and often get extensions in school holidays. It’s worth a try. If no luck, you’ll need to request an early AR with the new school in September as this is named in his plan. There is no way the current primary school would have time to do one before term ends.

However, I do think you are jumping the gun a bit. Secondary schools are big and there will be thinks they can put in place. I would email them with your concerns.

You would request an early review from the LA. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. However, the LA may not agree to an early review.

If a review is agreed, as part of the review process, you can make it known you would like another placement. Following the review meeting, the LA has 4 weeks to inform you if they are going to amend or not and if they are, send you the amendment notice. At this point, if they are going to amend, you will get to state your preferred placement and unless it is wholly independent the LA can only refuse to name your preferred placement for the reasons in my first post on this thread. Although, the LA may refuse and you would then need to appeal if you wanted another placement named.

Even if the LA proposes to amend without a review, they must proceed as though the proposed amendments were amendments proposed following a review.

You don't necessarily need to call an early annual review.

You can meet with the school you want to move to, show them his EHCP and give them permission to liaise with his current school. IF the new school are confident they can meet need (from the above) and are 'on board' you can both (new school and you) speak to your SEND key worker and ask them to send a consultation letter to the new school. If their SENCo is on the ball they can agree to this straight away and the whole process can be done within a few weeks.

It depends on a lot of goodwill on everyone's behalf though.

Will I be able to do any of this during the holidays? I’ve spoken to my SEND key worker at the LA, and she said nothing can be done now schools are closing for summer.
But I bet there will be families who decide to move their children during the holidays and they need to sort it even while schools are shut. Eg if they move.

@Topaz89 unfortunately not, you could get email as some heads and SENCos will be working over the holiday but I doubt you will be able to co-ordinate this in time for September.

The OG school may not actually be that bad, could you encourage your DS to start in September but liaise with the HOY/SEN team about his worries?

It’s going to be really hard to encourage him to go. But obviously I will have to.
I’m going to ring the key worker again on Monday and just see if there is anything I missed.

Even if the LA proposes to amend without a review, legally, they must proceed as though the proposed amendments were amendments proposed following a review, so it is unlikely you will have a finalised EHCP naming another placement by the start of term.

How long does it normally take for the whole thing to be finalised? I know when my DS has had reviews the LA take a while to send a decision about renewing the help he receives.

Just say we start the process as soon as schools open in September, how long do you think it will be before it’s finalised? I did hope by after October half term but I’m starting to think that’s way off and it will take a lot longer?

Following a review, the LA has 4 weeks to inform you if they are going to amend or not and if they are, they must send you the amendment notice at the same time. Then, if they are going to amend, they have a further 8 weeks to finalise.

Ah thank you for all of this information. I really appreciate the help.
I also looked back at your post at the beginning of the thread stating the reasons why a LA wouldn’t amend it. Do you think they will be likely to change it in my circumstances? Both schools would meet his needs academically but it’s just that the one he’s got a place at is complicated for so many reasons including the recent bullying. So it will be mainly based parental preference rather than anything wrong with the current school.

I know this looks like me jumping the gun, but I’m really exhausted and I just want what is best for my DS.

It is impossible to say whether the LA will agree without a fight or not. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don't.

The benefit of requesting an early review is if the LA agree to an early review (and it's not guaranteed they will) but refuse to amend or amend but don’t name your preferred placement, you can appeal. And unless the LA can prove one of the points in my first post, your appeal will be upheld.

If you ask more informally, it won’t lead to the right of appeal. This won't be a problem if the LA agree willing to amend the placement, but would be a problem if they don't.

Usually at key stage transfer the LA will have consulted more than one school. It's possible they already consulted your other preference before but didn't name?

If the school you want says they can meet.needs after consultation and it is your preference the LA has to name it - it's whether they will say they can meet need or not at this stage
E.g
They might already have a large number of EHCPs and feel they cannot meet your child's need.
However if one mainstream school has said yes it's fairly likely that another will too, and could be challenged by the LA f they say no.

I'd push for your LA officer to send a consult now and see if they get a reply. Some HTs and SENCOs will see emails over the holidays. Worth a shot.

P.S. what council is it as I work for one doing exactly this