AIBU- to think SEND support should be included if you are paying for private school

[Sammycat123]

All of our local independent schools seem to charge for extra SEND support such as 1-1 lessons, TA in class, speech and language therapy. I don’t get how this is legal. Surely it’s discrimination? Has anyone tried challenging it once their child is at the school? Also does anyone’s school do this for free? I’m looking at secondary schools in London/SE area…

The school must make reasonable adjustments as per the Equality Act. The problem some support is in excess of that. It goes beyond a reasonable adjustment and the school can charge.

If DC needs 1-1 lessons, a TA, SALT, have you requested an EHCNA?

Thanks @perpetualplatespinning we are looking into this but daughter is quite high achieving and no trouble in school so I don’t think we will get one. We are looking for a school where she won’t get overlooked, will be able to get extra 1-1 dyslexia support and access some TA support in English lessons also some SALT for social confidence and a slight speech impediment. Having been through the process before, I don’t think the LEA will fund support for her in the private system. We are happy to pay school fees etc but it seems unfair that private schools are charging extra for this kind of stuff.

You can get EHCPs for DC who are high achieving and appear ‘fine’ at school. You may have to appeal, but it is possible. If DD needs 1-1 lessons, a TA and SALT she meets the (relatively low) threshold for an EHCNA, which is the first test you need to focus on.

Independent schools can be named in an EHCP. For wholly independent schools, you would need to prove the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet DD’s needs &/or that it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure. If the school is named in an EHCP, the LA is then responsible for the fees and the special educational provision. Even where the above isn’t proven, LAs will sometimes come to an arrangement whereby parents pay the fees and the LA funds the special educational provision. However, LAs don’t have to come to such arrangements and they are less common than they once were.

Our daughters sound similar, some support is included in our fees, but we have just started the process for a EHCP.