Consulting schools, Christmas holidays?

[lollilou2]

LA started consulting schools this week for my daughter’s EHCP. I’m conscious the Christmas holidays are coming up, and my daughter’s caseworker has advised they’ll probably not get a response until after this. How long are we looking at realistically for a response?

It depends on the schools. Some would reply over the holiday period as normal. Some won’t until the first or second week back. The normal timescales still apply so the LA can’t use it as an excuse not to finalise.

Thank you! How would the LA finalise without a placement? Sorry, I’m still getting my head around all of this!

The LA must consult with the school. They should give the school 15 days. The school should respond within 15 days. But unless the school is wholly independent the LA doesn’t need the school to agree to being named. They can still be named if they fail to reply or object.

I had a request for placement arrive in the last week of term and my heart sank at the thought of being able to respond with my full brain by the end of term. Luckily (and unusually for our LA) they had included an extension to the consultation period until the middle of January. I’ve actually got the majority done during the holidays as getting it to the chair of governors, discussing and explaining to her and then getting the signed one back does add some time.

can I just ask if it’s 15 days or 15 working days?

Calendar days. Where working days is meant, working days is stated.

Thank you. Its been 17 days now, but obviously schools are shut so not sure on next steps.

Some schools won’t reply over the holiday period, but that doesn’t mean the timescales for finalising don’t still apply. If the delay means the LA has failed to finalise on time, send IPSEA’s model letter to the LA and chase the school. If the LA hasn’t breached the timescale for finalising, email the school chasing the reply. Also email the LA.