How many schools can I name on EHCP - West Sussex

[airhostess]

Hello, I was advised I can name more than 1 school on the EHCP, I’m awaiting the draft.
Once I have the draft, I understand I have 14 days to check, name a school and submit. Do the LA send the draft to all the schools I have named? How does this part of the process work?

The LA must allow you at least 15 days to respond to the draft.

When the EHCP is finalised, unless there will be a dual placement, only one school will be named in section I.

You can state more than one preference, but you should be careful doing this and make sure you really would be happy with any you state.

The LA will consult with schools, they should consult with your preference if it is one covered by section 38(3) of the Children and Families Act 2014. If it is a wholly independent school, you don’t have a right to request the placement, but you can still ask for it and the LA must still consider your request and take into account your views/wishes etc. They will also consult with other schools in the vast majority of cases.

Thanks for the explanation. I was under the impression the school(s) are sent the draft copy? Is this not the case?

I named a school to the EP.

LA emailed me to say that DC met criteria for ECHP and will send draft in due course, however asked me to respond and name a school to speed things up however I will be sent a separate form to name the school of choice at a later date. I named a school via email however we’ve changed our minds, I don’t think this should be a problem though do you?

Legally, when you get the draft you must be given the opportunity to state your preferred placement. This can be different to any schools mentioned previously.

When schools are consulted they will receive some information, although this isn’t always the full draft.

Thanks for the reassurance.