Is it difficult to get funding for a college placement

[Lesley25]

i have heard from parents that at 18 /19 you have to demonstrate that college will progress your child - my son has SLD sand S autism so it’s going to be life skills for us, and a residential placement, but I had no idea I’d have to demonstrate he would benefit from this.

parents have said this is so stressful they’ve bypassed this and gone straight to residential placement because of the funding issue. I havealso found my sons current provision try to put me off college.

My sons 15 so my annual review in October is not the phase transfer one as he’s only just turned 15, should I start making a point now that I will be seeking a college placement in the future? I know it came up last year and I couldn’t understand why they were putting me off!

Don’t be put off. IMO, it is preferable to have a placement via an EHCP, even if it is jointly funded. This IPSEA page and the case law Buckinghamshire CC v SJ [2016] UKUT 254 (AAC) (a case about a young person functioning at pre-school level where further progress would have been small, but still valuable) can explain it better than I can. Yes, I would make it known, but not get too hung up on it because post 18 (which is what I know you are looking at rather than post 16) placement won’t be finalised now.

LAs can refuse to name (a non-wholly independent) parental preference if the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
(s39(4) CAFA 2014)
The bar is high, but it is possible they can do this. For wholly independent placements, you need an offer of a place and to prove the LA’s proposed placement can’t meet needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure.

Thanks @JimmyField I’ll gather the evidence

@YellowRosesWithRedTips I value your experience , I’ll make it known as you say and keep the case law in my file to use. Thank you x