Moving back to the U.K. - hit me with it

[Robotindisguise]

Hi all - we’ve been out of the U.K. for seven years, in which time my DD has been diagnosed with Autism and ADHD. She takes Elvanse for it. We have a UK-based private diagnosis, which has been readily accepted by her international school. We’ll be going back into the state sector, not private school.

I’m cheerfully assuming this is going to be a nightmare in terms of getting the right adjustments sorted, but talk me through it. She’ll need a psychiatrist to agree she can carry on getting her Elvanse, is that right? Which will take ages then there won’t be any available, as the U.K. seems to have a meds shortage? And then I need to get an EHCP from somewhere - does it have to be her school which refers her? Talk me through it like I know nothing, if you have the time - I’d be hugely grateful

Each country in the UK has their own SEN system. Which country will you be moving to?

EHCPs only apply in England. Once you have moved, if you think an EHCP is or may be required, you can request an EHCNA, the needs assessment you first request as part of the EHCP process, from the LA. IPSEA is a charity who support parents and they have a model letter you can use. IPSEA and SOSSEN’s (another charity) websites are good places to start to learn about the SEN system in England.

Schools must make their best endeavours to meet a pupil’s SEN even if they don’t have an EHCP.

A GP is unlikely to prescribe medication without it being initiated by a psychiatrist. You will need a referral to CAMHS, which will have a long wait. Alternatively, if you can afford it, you could look privately. If you go down the private route and affording ongoing private prescriptions long term isn’t feasible, check the GP will agree to shared care first.

Sorry, yes, England.

We can afford to go private and since navigating school without the Elvanse is a bin fire, will have to do so. I’d rather not pay for it indefinitely though. Out of interest I wonder how much that would be? I know (because it says on the packet) that Elvanse is the equivalent of £110/ bottle in this country, but I don’t actually pay it, the insurer and the government do so between them because she is a child,

Thank you for the tip about the shared care, I’ll talk to our GP once I’m back.

Do I need an EHCP? I’m assuming so, as she needs various reasonable adjustments including time to decompress, extra time for homework and extra time in exams. But our LA are known to be very good at keeping SEN parents from any help whatsoever.

If DD requires support in excess of what is typically available in a mainstream school you will need an EHCP. You don’t need an EHCP for extra time for homework or exams. Depending on what you mean be time to decompress, one may or may not be needed for that. Exam access arrangements are based on JCQ’s guidance which is available online.

I don’t know how much Elvanse costs privately, sorry.

Thanks for your help… I’m quite nervous about screwing it up for her - I hear so many horror stories, especially in our home area. Thanks again 🙏

EHCP support thread no. 2 - www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/4989146-ehcp-support-thread-no-2

Join us if you think it'll be useful.

On the off chance you're overseas as a crown servant you might be able to kick the EHCP process off before you come back, depending on your LA.

1. register your entire family with the GP.
2. Contact the local council asking about recommended school where there may be a place. Enrol your DC to school
3. take all documents you have for a GP appointment. They will refer you to peadiatrician who will sort out the diagnosis by providing the letter and put prescription on the batch
4. apply for EHCP statement via local council on their website and attach scans of whatever you had as a support in the other country.
5. please ask the school to refer you to CAMHS

You don’t need to request an EHCNA via the council’s website (that’s if you even can, not all LAs have the ability to complete a request via their website). Sending IPSEA’s model letter (and any evidence) is sufficient.

3 depends entirely on the area the OP moves to. In many areas, paeds do not prescribe ADHD medication. Instead, CAMHS or a separate neurodevelopmental team do.

@SearchingForSolitude Yes, you are right. All 1-5 points are probably very much depending on the area she is moving to. Here in South West London boroughs one can file for EHCP via council website and the response is virtually nexy day. (My friend did it a week ago and I was helping)

The queue to CAMHS can be as long as 12 months and for emergencies...3 months 🙄