Homeschooling teenager and EHCP forms help

[Luckycloverz]

Hi,

My son is 14yrs old and in year 10.
Homeschooling for last 3yrs as he was struggling in school environment.

He has autism (diagnosed 1yr ago) and is currently waiting for adhd assessment due in 3months, very likely to be diagnosed with it.

He is still behind in his school work by at least 2yrs, tutors haven't helped as he has selective mutism and clams up around strangers and generally has problems around comprehension of school work questions etc.

We have no other input or help, no local services that can provide much support and our home ed from council team don't think it's worth him having a ehcp as he can just get gcses through college etc later - currently not likely to do well at all sitting them next year.

Just wondering how anyone else has filled in forms with no other input from services, all I have is autism report, gp short statement some previous counselling reports and that's it. I've been told it unlikely to be enough to get one but he struggles academically and socially daily is it worth trying to get for him?
And if so what evidence have you given for it?

Thank you

[Headfirstintothewild]

You may have to appeal, potentially more than once, but an EHCP is possible.
As well as the ASD diagnosis, the GP report and counselling reports do you have a copy of the ADHD referral or any communication from any of the tutors that haven’t worked? Have you tried (even if not successfully) to access any home education groups and got any communication from them? Does DS do any extra-curricular activities? Has he had a referral to SALT?

[Luckycloverz]

He was turned down for SALT Due to long backlog of requests in the area and because it's selective mutism wasn't deemed an issue 🙄 despite it effecting communication with others. Been told he'll likely grow out of it.

I have referral form of acceptance for adhd assessment yes I can include that.
Short reports from two tutors I could include but they aren't really saying what he struggles with though I could see about getting another to asses his level of work I guess.

There aren't many local home Ed groups we are quite rural unfortunately and he refused all social activities hates sport etc just cannot cope with the socialising aspect of them.

[Headfirstintothewild]

I wouldn’t spend money on another tutor to assess before requesting an EHCNA. That just delays things and you may still be refused anyway. Just make the request with what evidence you already have. Then if you are refused, appeal and seek independent assessments.

[sleepworkmum]

Are you registered as EHE?

I've been told repeatedly by school and family services that if we EHE then we could not get an EHCNA because we'd have opted out of the LA/school without it being officially confirmed by and EHCP that mainstream school can't meet her needs. Not only that, I've been told that DD has to be registered and attending school for an EHCNA.

@Luckycloverz do you have different information?

[Headfirstintothewild]

@sleepworkmum

Are you registered as EHE?

I've been told repeatedly by school and family services that if we EHE then we could not get an EHCNA because we'd have opted out of the LA/school without it being officially confirmed by and EHCP that mainstream school can't meet her needs. Not only that, I've been told that DD has to be registered and attending school for an EHCNA.

@Luckycloverz do you have different information?

This is not correct.

[sleepworkmum]

Without hijacking this thread, can I ask @Headfirstintothewild for more information. How do you know this? Is this likely to be written in LA policy or something?

[Phineyj]

When people in authority give you misleading information (and many do), it is a good idea to read the SEN Code 2014 yourself.

[Headfirstintothewild]

@sleepworkmum the legal test for an EHCNA is set out in law. The law does not state EHCNAs cannot be undertaken when EHEing or that EHE is a lawful reason for refusing to assess or issue. Parents EHE’ing can request an EHCNA in the same way they can if their DC attended a school. And the same legal test applies to such requests as it does to requests made for those on the roll of a school. See this IPSEA page.

[Luckycloverz]

@Headfirstintothewild

@sleepworkmum the legal test for an EHCNA is set out in law. The law does not state EHCNAs cannot be undertaken when EHEing or that EHE is a lawful reason for refusing to assess or issue. Parents EHE’ing can request an EHCNA in the same way they can if their DC attended a school. And the same legal test applies to such requests as it does to requests made for those on the roll of a school. See this IPSEA page.

Thank you

[sleepworkmum]

@Headfirstintothewild

@sleepworkmum the legal test for an EHCNA is set out in law. The law does not state EHCNAs cannot be undertaken when EHEing or that EHE is a lawful reason for refusing to assess or issue. Parents EHE’ing can request an EHCNA in the same way they can if their DC attended a school. And the same legal test applies to such requests as it does to requests made for those on the roll of a school. See this IPSEA page.

@Headfirstintothewild thank you, this was really helpful and I am looking properly into the IPSEA information and SEN law ahead of a TAF meeting this week. Thank you so much.