Applying for an EHCP whilst in a SEN school

[UnsureAndUnsteady]

Hello

My son (8) is currently home educated due to early life trauma, ASD and low level learning needs (if he didn’t have the other 2 he probably wouldn’t have any learning difficulties at all but they impact on his ability to learn). He was in a mainstream prep school but couldn’t cope. He has been home educated for just over a year and has come on miles!!! We know he is highly unlikely to return to mainstream but not being in school at all means it’s very hard to get an EHCP.

We have seen some lovely SEN schools which could work for him who seem to accept privately paying parents to. I was wondering if anyone has paid privately for a SEN school place and then applied for an EHCP once in the school. Also that way he would be guaranteed to stay there? I can’t bare the thought of having to put him back in mainstream school just to watch him fail so that we can evidence his level of need (which has been the advice from the LA)

Apply for an EHCP. Yes it's harder when not on a school's roll, but not impossible. The fact DS already has already had one placement fail is evidence of need. IPSEA have a model letter you can use to request an EHCNA.

Are you sure the schools will accept private applicants? Many don't. And a package of proper support is likely to be £££.

If DS was issued an EHCP there's no guarantee the LA would name the school he was already on roll at on the EHCP. Although, unless the school is wholly independent there are limited grounds on which the LA can refuse to name it.

If DS isn't able to attend school the LA have a duty to educate him. See the guidance here.

10brokengreenbottles thank you for that advice. I think that’s probably the best way forwards. If would could get the EHCP to state that he cannot be educated at school and home is best then it might really work for him. At the moment he says that he wants to go back to school but I’m not sure if he is just saying what he thinks we want to hear! It’s so difficult for him as his sister goes to school and “has it all” (friends, sports etc) we try to make up for that as much as possible but you just can’t.

You don't have to have an EHCP to get medical needs tuition.

My DS1 has an EOTAS package as part of his EHCP because there isn't a suitable school. So that is an option, but LAs don't tend to like it. And, you would need to make sure it is EOTAS not EHE, otherwise the LA don't have to provide provision. Although, if DS would prefer a school there's no reason you can't try to get one you think would work named in the EHCP. The first step would be to submit a EHCNA request - don't be put off if it is rejected, appeal.