Statement status if moving to a new school within same LEA/Borough

[phantomsteve]

Hi

We have gone through the process to get our daughter statemented (I know it's not called that now, but I can't remember the new name... ) and the 'board' met in June. They now have 20 weeks from that date to come up with what they will do, which may well be to send her to a special needs school, like her older brother.

We are currently living with my wife's parents, and are on the Council waiting list... and we have been sent an invite from the council to view a housing association property (obviously in the same borough).

If we like it, get offered it and accept it, we could send her to the local school... or we can drive her to the current school.

What I want to know is: has anyone had a similar situation; if we move to another property in the borough, and move to the local school, do we have to start the process for a statement again (it took 3 years to get this far!) or do the LEA continue with the current process of sorting out her provision.

Of course, we might not get offered this property, as there are "others" (number not specified!) who are invited to view... but we're trying to think of practicalities!

Anyone with experience of this situation who can advise would be most appreciated :)

Regards,
Steve

You wouldn't have to start the process again if you are in the same local authority area - it's called an Education Health and Care needs assessment. However, if the current school is supporting the request I would suggest you leave her there, because any new school is going to have to take time to get to know her before they can say anything helpful and that could delay the process.

Thanks for the advice... that was our thinking!

My wife is going to chat to the school's SENCO this week (we got the house ) to see what she thinks, but at the moment our thinking is to keep her at the current school, who are supporting and know our daughter!

Just a quick note - I have no idea what level of needs your daughter has or how old she is, but Local Authorities do offer transport to children who are unable to travel safely to school or whose EHCP specifies a school more than 2 miles from their home. It might be worth looking into if taking your daughter to school from your new home is going to be particularly difficult.

Great to hear you got the house and that your daughter is getting support from her school! :)

The problem with transport is that the LA is only obliged to offer transport to the nearest suitable school. Therefore if they contend that there is a suitable school nearer to your new address they will not offer transport to the old one.

Are you in England? If so, I think the information you have been given about timing is incorrect. The LA had 16 weeks from the date they received the original request for an Education Health and Care needs assessment to decide whether to issue an EHC Plan, and if so they have to finalise it within 20 weeks from the same date. The date of their panel meeting is irrelevant. If they've gone past the 16 week date and haven't given you a decision you need to push them.