School receives funding, but doesn't spend on child

[yoddle]

Hi,

My DD is approaching the last few months of sixth form in a mainstream school. She is completely burned out.

The school set out the support she would get (specific forms of mentoring) and the LA funded on that basis but it was never incorporated into an EHCP. The LA I dropped the ball basically. She has never had any of it.

So the school has been pocketing £1000s a year for nothing. I know that it is the LAs responsibilty to ensure that section F is up to date. But are the school really off the hook if they promise support but don't bother to deliver cos not in teh plan?

I have started to escalate this, but am just so exhausted with all this BS after ten years with a plan

Schools must make their best endeavours to meet a pupil’s SEN and they must make reasonable adjustments.

Beyond that, if the provision isn’t in F, it doesn’t have to be provided, can’t be enforced, and it is unlikely the school is receiving sufficient funding, especially thousands, for it. LAs drag their heels at funding provision that is in EHCPs and often fail to adequately fund that, let alone provision that isn’t detailed, specified and quantified in F. This is why it is important EHCP is accurate.

What is DD’s plan for next academic year?

Assuming they have drawn down the money they definitely are receiving sufficient funding. They shared a draft plan of how much this proposed provision would cost and it is way less than what the LA has given them, roughly £4k provision against £10k funding. It's not specialist support, it's mentoring within subjects, I highly doubt that it would even cost £4k, it's with existing school staff

I am just realising how stupid I have been.

She wants to go to university, so the plan will cease and there is so little time left.

The £10k funding was a condition of taking her and it was way way cheaper than specialist + taxi, so the LA didn't quibble

Mentoring like you describe is special educational provision, whether existing staff provide it or not.

Funding LAs give schools as part of negotiations when placements are consulted as part of the EHCP process often isn’t ringing fenced like you are imagining. Without the provision being in F, the funding doesn’t have to be used for the provision.

Make sure DD applies for DSA.

Blimey. I never thought they'd spend anything like the full amount on her, not even close, but I had no idea there was no obligation at all

I think we were talking at cross purposes, it's definitely special ed provision, but it's not eg OT or SALT

It doesn’t really matter that it isn’t SALT or OT. For the purpose of the LA and school’s duties, it is the same.

Thank you, really helpful info, I appreciate it