ADHD, EHCP, private school.

[MSBoyMum]

My boy is in year 5, due to go to year 6 in Sept. He has a diagnosis of ADHD inattentive type, possibly related to being 12 weeks premature. His recent school report wasn’t great. He’s inattentive and struggles to focus, pay attention and learn much. He’s bright though so isn’t behind in most subjects. I pay for private tuition which he does much better in. Teachers have said in his report he needs to remember to ask to be moved somewhere quiet when he can’t focus, he needs to remember to put his hand up and ask when he doesn’t understand something-sounds like they aren’t really doing anything proactively. Because he isn’t disruptive I think he just gets ignored in the class.
would he qualify for an EHCP despite not having any major behavioural issues? I’m thinking of looking at local non selective private school, it would be a stretch financially but I think the classes being half the size and less distraction/disruption will be much better for him. Would an EHCP deter the school from accepting him? Does a private school have any duty to put any of the recommendations in place? Does the LA pay for the EHCP recoemndations. I’m worried as a child who is quite quiet and doesn’t cause trouble but is bright he is just going to be ignored and won’t achieve his potential, whatever that is! Thanks to anyone who has any experience of this.

EHCPs are about more than behavioural difficulties. But it is impossible to say if DS will meet the threshold for an EHCP from the little information in your post. The first threshold you would need to focus on is that for an EHCNA, which is a relatively low threshold. You would need to show DS a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP.

Not all independent schools are supportive of SEN. That applies whether there is an EHCP or not.

In order for an independent school to be named in an EHCP, you would need an offer of a place and to show the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet DS’s needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure. If the school is named in an EHCP, the LA must fund the fees and the SEN provision. Sometimes some LAs will come to other arrangements whereby the parents pay the fees and the LA pay the special educational provision, but the LA does not have to do this. Ultimately, it is the LA who is responsible for ensuring provision in EHCPs is provided.

Thank you for the info. I don’t really know what a child who has an EHCP needs or what it can provide. He had a big list of recommendations after he saw the psychologist for his ADHD diagnosis but they don’t really do any of them, although there isn’t any reason they couldn’t!
I can’t imagine the LA would fund a place and Tbf I don’t think this seems reasonable however I wondered wether an EHCP would help him get a bit of individual support as I feel he currently isn’t learning anything at school.
I’m finding it hard to decide whether a private school, with small classes but significant financial sacrifice or a state school with big noisy classes and mandated provision of SEN support would be better for him. I’m also not sure if he has SEN or an EHCP whether the private school might decide they won’t accept him! I’m also unsure of whether the LA will say he could have one, perhaps asking for an EHCP.

The school must still make reasonable adjustments. What recommendations has the psychologist made?

Support in an EHCP depends on individual needs. There are numerous possibilities but depending on what children and young people need examples of what it could include are 1:1 support in class or outside of the classroom - academic help but also things like with executive functioning or emotional regulation, mentoring/coaching, laptop and assistive technology, therapies such as SALT, OT, CBT.

At an independent school, unless the school is named in section I of an EHCP, the LA doesn’t have to fund any support. Outside of that, sometimes some LAs will come to arrangements where parents pay the fees and the LA pay the SEN support but it isn't guaranteed and many will say you are making suitable alternative arrangements thereby relieving them of their duty.

Some independent schools may not offer a place because of SEN. That may happen even without an EHCP.

A private school is unlikely to access with an ehcp but also the LA is going to be resistant to naming a private school.

The beautiful 11 plus is coming up for him maybe try and see whether he gets into an independent.

Op you didn’t say whether your child is medicated or not - that could / or maybe not if you don’t get the correct meds help.

Even if you get into an independent - it’s not all wonderful. Plus more demands / longer hrs - it can really mentally tax children with sen. Although there are some kind sen inclusive independent secondaries.

If you went to an independent and not named on EHCP you end up paying for extra items and if you wanted some 1 to 1 parents have to pay for the first 13 hrs (£6k). Plus if your child isn’t keeping up at the independent they can just end the contract…. They do not have to keep your child.

if you wanted some 1 to 1 parents have to pay for the first 13 hrs (£6k).

If the independent school is not named in section I of an EHCP, the parent is responsible for funding all the fees and SEN support, not just the first 13 hours (£6k). That is unless the LA comes to an agreement whereby parents pay the fees and they pay the SEN support, but LAs don’t have to and many do not.

If the independent school is named in section I, the LA is responsible for funding all the fees and SEN support, including 1:1 if detailed, specified and quantified in F. Parents do not have to fund the first 13hrs (£6k).