EHCP section I

[Daffydilys]

We have a final EHCP for our 7 year old and the LA are consulting with specialist settings before naming one in section I.

A wholly independent school has offered a place to our child through the consultation process and this is our preferred placement, LA know this. There is however a local authority setting which I suspect the council will want to name in I instead (based on costs?). Whilst the school does brilliant things, it is absolutely not the place for our child and I wholeheartedly don’t want them to attend there. Both schools on paper offer the same support, but like many situations there is great difference in what this looks like in reality.

Can anyone give me any advice on how to navigate this situation please? Would a supporting statement to the LA, in favour of our preferred school, be helpful in outlining our choice to the “panel”?

TIA!

If you have a finalised EHCP that doesn’t name your preferred placement, appeal. You should appeal B&F too. Don’t bother with mediation. Just get the certificate and submit to SENDIST. LAs use mediation as a delaying tactic. If they are going to concede they will do so whether you actively partake in mediation or just get the certificate and submit to SENDIST. It is likely you need at least one independent report demonstrating the LA’s proposed placement isn’t suitable and the wholly independent placement is needed.

However, do you mean final EHCP or do you mean draft?

@BlueBrick Thank you. We have just received a final. Currently in mainstream, with note in I stating LA seeking suitable provision. “Panel” need to approve move from MS to SS and consultation outcomes from specialist schools will be presented at same meeting so decision on move to SS and name of placement in I all to be done in one go. We really want the independent school named in I, not the local authority offer. How can we best facilitate this - at the moment no decision has been taken so there’s nothing to appeal against it feels?

The best way to secure the independent school is by appealing (and seeking independent reports if necessary). A decision has been taken. You have a finalised EHCP not naming your preferred placement. That is what you appeal.