What are our chances of an EHCP being approved?

[TarnishedWithLove]

The deadline for the LA to notify us of a refusal to issue or to issue a plan is looming. We have already been through one appeal to secure the assessment.

DS is in Year 7 and has ASD, social anxiety disorder and sensory processing difficulties. I applied for the EHCP myself after being told repeatedly by school DS would not qualify for one in spite of his lack of social and emotional development . Academically he is very able.

The educational psychologist has specified in his report that in his view , DS requires specialist educational provision.

The OT , speech and language therapist and DS’ consultant have all supported the EHCP .

School have told us not to get our hopes up as if DS is offered less than 15 hours worth of support , the EHCP will be refused.

Would this be correct ?

If the EP has explicitly written that I think you have a high chance, and if the LA do refuse to issue you should appeal. They don't write that unless the believe it is necessary.

School aren't correct. It may be there is little or no funding attached, but funding isn't your concern, if the school need more funding they should approach the LA. Your focus should be on ensuring section F is specific and quantified so you can enforce the provision if necessary.

It's not just 1:1 support that is relevant, it's whether he needs other help such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy including help with sensory issues. These need to be properly specified and are rarely available using normal mainstream resources, which is one of the main criteria for issuing an EHCP.