Bespoke packages

[Nousernameforme]

We've been offered this as an option whilst we wait on finding out about a school place nearer christmas for next, next years yr10.
But I don't know what a bespoke package or a personal budget would involve what sort of things are included?
Has anyone had one if so what was included in it.

DS1 has a comprehensive EOTAS package because there isn't a suitable school for him. It includes tuition and therapies. What your DC's includes will depend on their needs.

Does DC have an EHCP? Why are you waiting on a school place? Isn't there a suitable school for Y9 pupils? Or, if you have an EHCP, have the LA refused to name the school?

This is IPSEA's info on personal budgets.

Thank you.
At primary we were told it was a waste of time getting an EHCP for DS as there was no way he would get one. That said he couldn't go into a mainstream senior school without a great deal of support. Even with an EHCP this wouldn't be forthcoming.

So we home-educated then as time has gone on DS has become more and more isolated and reluctant to do anything so after talking to local support groups I applied for an EHCP and we've got one we are waiting on placement details for final draft may just be put down with a type but there currently isn't any space at the preferred school and he was refused at the two other local schools. The EOTAS is being offered I think as a stop gap until a place comes up in year 10 if it does. I suggested out of county but as we don't drive they seem reluctant to put that on.

At primary we were told it was a waste of time getting an EHCP for DS as there was no way he would get one. That said he couldn't go into a mainstream senior school without a great deal of support. Even with an EHCP this wouldn't be forthcoming.

You seem to have been seriously misinformed. The idea of an EHC Needs assessment is to identify all the needs the child has and the provision required to meet those needs. If the EHCNA is done properly the EHCP should detail and specify all the support required which the LA then has to fund.

If the only suitable school is out of county they have to provide transport. Don't accept EOTAS if there is a better option.

What type of school is the preferred school?

Unless the school is an independent school that isn't a section 41 school being 'full' isn't a good enough reason to refuse admission on its own. See this IPSEA page.

If you want MS and think that is in DS' best interests the EHCP should provide the support needed. There are limited circumstances the LA can refuse the right to a mainstream education.

As Ellie posted, if a school is the nearest suitable school DS will be entitled to transport

I forgot to add this link.

See I am crap at all this I don't know what you mean by section 41 it is a school for pupils with additional needs you need to get an EHCP to be considered for it. The person drafting up the plan thinks it is the best fit for him but it has no space. This is the only reason he has been refused for this placement.

Our senco was beyond hopeless as was the primary school.

My thinking is that if we wait and hope for a place in yr 10 there are no guarantees I would rather have him settled anywhere that could meet his needs but we would need transportation.

Woman doing the draft really did try to put me off the idea of this out of county school citing transportation issues as it is quite difficult to get to. What happens with transport in cases of illness or if he has to be removed for the day or transport for his transition days. Honestly we would struggle to get him there. So she does have a point.

I suppose my question is what can I ask for on a personal budget if we choose it. The EOTAS we have is pretty thin on the ground.

Right after a lot of googling it turns out that it is a section 41 school.

Regarding the mainstream senior school when we went to speak to the senco team at the local one they told us flat out ehcp or no they could not offer the support he would need.

This explains the different types of schools. And here is the list of independent section 41 schools.

If it is a section 41 school and the LA are just saying "full" IPSEA have a model letter you can use to point out their legal duty. There are limited circumstances they can refuse - see link in my pp, 'full' alone isn't enough of a reason. If they still won't name the school you want you can you can appeal when the EHCP is finalised.

If you did want MS you have a right to a mainstream education but not a right to a specific MS school. See the link in my pp.

What EOTAS includes depends on your DC's needs and what provision is in section F. For example, DS1's includes SaLT, but your DS' may not if it's not in section F. It doesn't have to be via personal budget. For example, the LA could use the tutors they use for medical needs tuition.

Of course the LA tried to put you off OOA schools it would cost them money. If DS becomes unwell during the day you would need to pick him, but you should be able to get transport for transition.

A section 41 school is an independent special school that has been approved by the Secretary of State under Section 41 of the Children & Families Act 2014 (CAFA).

Under Section 38 of the CAFA a parent has the right to request a section 41 school to be named in the EHCP.

www.ipsea.org.uk/choosing-a-schoolcollege-with-an-ehc-plan

And even though they say they are full, the LA can still name the school and the school would have to accept him unless:

a)The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
b) The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
c)The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

Would them being full mean that either B or c would apply. Currently I am thinking i will email her (paper trail) everything she said yesterday was on the phone so no proof she tried to push the yr10 possible start and eotas so if i said do that it would be just well its what the mum wants.
So I am going to email and say that I want the original school to be his provision and that as per section 38 they need to find him a spot. If that can not be for either b or c option then they are going to find him an out of area school for the rest of his education

Does that sound ok? Or too pushy?

Don't worry about being labelled pushy. You need to be in order to get the provision DS needs. IPSEA have a model letter you can use.

The bar for proving incompatibility with the efficient use of resources or education of others is relatively high.

Always follow up conversations with emails.

Agree with 10brokengreenbottles.

You haven't properly arrived in the SEN world until you have become that parent.

I'm sure our LA breathed a sigh of relief when DS finished college and they finally ceased his EHC plan. (The first time they actually made a lawful decision )

Until then I'd been that parent and a thorn in their side for years.

Right email sent I have asked them to name the preferred provision in the final plan or if that does prove impossible then to we would have to go out of county a selection of various activities tutors here and there would not work for us

Nouser, I hope they reply quickly. If there are suitable schools I don't think an EOTAS package is best.

Ellie I am that parent here. DS1 certainly wouldn't have the comprehensive EOTAS package he has if I wasn't. We are regularly reminded (in a tone of voice that indicates we should be thankful) how unusual and expensive his provision is. I also don't think DS3 would have an EHCP at all if we weren't on the ball. I doubt either would have the social care provision they do either.

Sadly, it is those who shout the loudest and are able to navigate the system who get better care.

She has come back with
The governing body has concerns about meeting "DS" needs.

-The attendance of the child or young person there would be incompatible with the efficient education of others.

This is because the year group for him is full, therefore there is no space capacity to meet his needs.

I don't think that gives me much wriggle room so I am going to have to ask for a place out of area

In your email did you make it clear to the LA that you know being 'full' isn't enough of a reason alone to refuse admission?

Ask the questions in the last bullet point on page 2 of this IPSEA document and consider appealing.

If not, try to name the out of county school. If the OOA school happens to be more expensive then you may find a space at your preferred school materialises.