Schools geared up to support children with EBSA profile?

[Cutie101]

My daughter is year 7, ASD and EBSA and I believe possibly PDA (although this could be the EBSA). Are there any schools in North West London/South Hertfordshire which are grated up to support these children (state as unfortunately don't have the money to go private).
She's a bright girl who enjoys learning, she just can't get in and is completely overwhelmed.

Are you looking for a mainstream school or special/specialist school?

Does DD have an EHCP? That would open up your options, including funding independent placements.

I've applied for a needs assessment but not holding my breath as unfortunately school hasn't put much in place so they won't have the paperwork that the LA ask for (I know they shouldn't need it, but reality is that is what they demand). Specialist or a local mainstream that can support her is what I want.

For state special/specialist schools, you would need an EHCP.

Without an EHCP, you will be limited to whichever mainstream schools have places. For that, you would be best starting by asking you LA what schools have places. (Or appealing for one who doesn’t have places and refuses a place in the hope an appeal is successful.) Although, personally, I wouldn’t move whilst going through the EHCP process. If DD can’t attend school, alternative provision should be put in place. If that isn’t in place already, IPSEA has a model letter you can use.

If you get an EHCP, depending on where you are, you could look at Orange Tree, Egerton-Rothesay, Odyssey House, Canbury, The Rise. They will probably be too far out, but if not you could look at The King’s school, St Christopher and Red Balloon. Some are independent MS, some are technically mainstream but not conventional MS, and some are SS. Some will be too far, but it depends where you are.

If the LA refuses to assess or refuses to issue, appeal. School support is helpful but not essential.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/5003192-the-ebsa-support-thread-emotionally-based-school-avoidanceabsence?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share this thread and the follow up one would be a good place to ask for school ideas.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5309128-ehcp-support-thread-no-5?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share and this is the EHCP support thread (although you've already had advice from our fantastic resident guru).

Also just to quickly add that I had an acquaintance who thought highly of Red Balloon following her nephew's experience there. The course offer looks better than some similar offerings.

Hi, I'm looking for a school for Section I consultations, as we've been turned down by our first choice due to not able to meet needs. What ASD/PDA schools are there for Y8 DD in Central/North London? I know of Odyssey, Mapesbury, Harmood - any others you know of or recommend?

Is your preferred school wholly independent? If not, you don’t need an offer of a place in order for it to be named. The school must name your preferred placement unless the LA can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.
The bar to do this is higher than many LAs and schools admit.

Unfortunately, depending how DD’s PDA presents, there may not be a suitable school within the area. For some DC with PDA in that area, there isn’t a suitable school.

Depending on how DD’s PDA presents, you could look at Orange Tree, but they may not admit depending on how the PDA presents - technically not SS but in practice it is.

Personally, I would avoid Harmood School.

Mapesbury is a bit of an unknown with it being so new. That has positives and negatives.