Can EHCP top up funding go to an independent school?

[Midgeymoo12]

Have a child with ADHD. Last year child was granted an EHCP with top up funding to support EHCP / teaching assistant support etc. In reality, since starting medication he is much more settled and I believe he now largely participates in all lessons and I the TA largely supports the whole class rather than constant 1:1 with him.

We are pretty happy he has settled down so well but I am interested to move him to an independent school at year 3 level. We have shared the EHCP with the application. He attended for a couple of hours for an admissions test and has been offered a place.

Before we accept I am trying to unpick - could the EHCP top up funding be allocated to the independent school? For clarity I will be paying his school fees but it would be comforting to know this support can remain in place for the new future.

I have enquired with the council, and am meeting with the head soon. Wondered if anyone has personal experience?

Some LAs will come to an arrangement whereby the parents pay the fees and the LA pays the SEN support. However, not all will. Some will say parents are making suitable alternative arrangements therefore they are relieved of their duties. It is also possible to get independent MS named in the EHCP with the LA paying the fees and SEN provision, although this is unlikely if state MS is meeting DS’s needs.

Be sure to ask probing questions of the school. Many indies are not accommodating of DC with SEN.

the TA largely supports the whole class rather than constant 1:1 with him.

If section F specifies and quantifies the 1:1 it must be provided. If it is not you can enforce the provision. However, if it is vague and woolly with wording such as “would benefit from”, “access to” or “or equivalent”.

We have this arrangement with our local authority. We pay fees and they pay the top up funding to school directly.

@vinoandbrie

We have this arrangement with our local authority. We pay fees and they pay the top up funding to school directly.

Thanks both. That is encouraging @vinoandbrie. How did that come about for you? Did the independent school arrange the EHCP? Or did you transfer in? How do the independent school use the funding? Thanks in advance.

My DD started at the school in reception year. She managed seemingly fine through reception year, in year one issues were identified and a diagnosis received, and in year two, school suggested that an EHCP be applied for.

We went forward with this working together with school. The draft EHCP came through and I pushed to get it to specify full time 1:1. The finalised EHCP arrived specifying a full time 1:1, so school will spend the money on her 1:1, and also on various extras for her, a sensory area with sensory toys and so on.

Very good luck!

An independent school would spend the money on the provision specified and quantified in section F.

Thanks for all who contributed. The local council have come back very quickly and agreed they will transfer top up funding to the independent school to support ongoing EHCP! Very pleased. Now going to meet with the head at potential new school to discuss and hopefully have some reassurance tjet are inclusive and supportive.

That is great news, really positive! Good luck for the meeting with the head