Help with EHCP assessment request

[Doryhunky]

DS is being educated in the year behind his age group because when he started reception he had significant language issues. He is now in y4 when he should be in y5. He has an EP report from two years ago which identifies very slow processing, working memory and auditory memory problems. He has mild to moderate hearing loss and mild to moderate speech and language issues. He is being monitored by a salt who has queried if he might be on the autism spectrum or have dyslexia.
The issue is that he is doing ok where he is at school but that when he reaches secondary they may not let him transfer with his year group and hence miss a year.
So his primary school is suggesting that he move now to y5. I feel that he shouldn’t miss a year of education and that with his SEN he may fail to catch up or that he will fall behind. I would like a new EP report to see where he is before any decision is made to move him but the school is saying it has to prioritise ehcp assessment requests.
Therefore I feel I should request an ehcp assessment but the catch 22 is that ASSUMING he stays where he is, the School can meet his needs.
I would welcome any advice or suggestions for private EPs in the London area.

Thank you.

I don't know about private EP but as a mainstream LSA, I do support an autistic student who was put back a year in primary and who has continued to stay in that year below at secondary school.

Does your son have an ehcp and if not, maybe consider making that your priority as that would detail the provision he needs, which could include remaining in the year below.

Thanks. I would like an ehcp but the school think they can meet his needs in either year. I think an ehcp confirming whether or not he should continue in his year group would be ideal.

He might be doing ok now, but secondary school will be a completely different ball game. And just because the primary school is meeting his needs well, this does not mean the same will happen in the next school, with a different environment, constant changes of staff and classrooms etc, and an altogether busier and noisier environment.

I would apply for an EHC Needs assessment. Information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/asking-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

If you are thinking about getting private reports -links here:

Educational Psychologists:

The British Psychological Society’s directory of chartered psychologists - www.bps.org.uk/lists/DIR

The Association of Child Psychologists in Private Practice –
www.achippp.org.uk/

Independent Occupational Therapists
Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ directory –
rcotss-ip.org.uk/find

Speech and Language Therapists:
Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice’s directory:
helpwithtalking.com/Find-a--SLT

Thank you. I agree!