Autistic DD told by college no adjustments can be made in exams as she has no EHCP

[WheatShreds]

DD was diagnosed with ASD just under a year ago. She has severe mental health difficulties with self harm and suicide attempts. Having been in her room for 3 years and taking no exams she was able to go to college in September. That is a huge achievement but it isn't easy and things are starting to look uncertain.
Our EHCP request has gone to appeal and the tribunal will be in the new year.
There are end of term exams coming up. She tells me that her tutor said that she can't have extra time without an EHCP, though she can have breaks, as they don't have the resources.
DD really struggles with dissociation when under pressure and is likely to zone out during her time.
Can anyone point me in the direction of information to support my discussions with the college in this?
I know I could search for it myself but would really appreciate a pointer. Everything is so hard.

Access arrangements, including extra time, can be given without an EHCP. You can see the JCQ’s policy here.

However, if they are external exams rather than just in house exams it is too late for the upcoming exams as it needs to be your normal way of working and extra time needs applying for.

Have you considered a prompter in addition to the rest breaks may be better?

Thanks for that.
I think a prompter is a good idea though I have found once she has gone she is gone - hence the need for extra time.
These are just internal exams at the moment.
I was just surprised to hear that they wouldn't give extra help without the EHCP. I assumed that her disability meant they were obliged to offer reasonable adjustments.

once she has gone she is gone - hence the need for extra time.

I think a prompter and rest breaks are more likely to be approved. Rest breaks stop the clock so would be more appropriate for this, when DD dissociates she can have a rest break and restart when ready.

They do need to offer reasonable adjustments, but I’m not sure extra time is reasonable in this instance given JCQ’s regulations.

Once she has a diagnosis and a report, they need to put in place the recommendations. However, they may request a report that has educational recommendations eg. From an educational psychologist. A box standard letter from a doctor may not be accepted for external exams but they would be on rocky ground for internal exams. Mention Equal Opportunity Act and reasonable adjustments. And a meeting with senior staff including the one for EO. Don't even try talking to curriculum teachers.

However, they may request a report that has educational recommendations eg. From an educational psychologist. A box standard letter from a doctor may not be accepted for external exams

It is, an EP report is not necessary.

It is the JCQ policy that governs access arrangements. The Equality Act informs that policy but it is the JCQ policy the OP needs to focus on.

Watch out for them saying she doesn't need it because they're internal exams so "don't count".

These exams do count because they're often used as the basis for decisions about entry tiers etc for the "real exams" and consequently them not making reasonable adjustments for them under the DDA is direct discrimination