EHCP

[Karenola156]

Good morning, I need some advice. I applied for secondary schools for my daughter, who has an EHCP, including both independent and state schools. However, the local authority informed me that they are not responsible for covering the payment for independent schools, which I cannot afford. The independent schools have requested that the local authority consult regarding exam arrangements. I have also applied for a bursary for my daughter. Do I need to inform the local authority about the bursary application, because they said they wouldn't be responsible for the school fees

Independent schools can be named in section I of an EHCP and therefore the fees funded.

If it is a wholly independent school, in order to get in named in section I, you will need an offer of a place from the school and to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) cannot meet DD’s needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure. And you may have to appeal.

Where parents can’t meet this legal threshold (or don’t pursue an appeal to show they can meet the threshold), some LAs will sometimes agree to fund the special educational provision if parents fund the fees, but the LA does not have to agree to this. Often LAs will say parents are making suitable alternative arrangements, thereby they are not obliged to fund the fees or SEP. If you are planning to make your own arrangements, you don’t need to inform the LA of the bursary application.

If it is a section 41 independent, the rules around refusing to name your preference are the same as they are for state schools. Again, the LA may force you to appeal.

Just so you are aware, you didn’t need to state more than one placement. Some LAs say parents do, but legally they don’t.