Moving School During EHCP Process

[HertsMum123]

Due to losing vital evidence, EHCNA decision delayed until next panel in a couple of weeks.
We have option to move our autistic child to a private primary school with much better SEN provision (all discussed and agreed, Edpsych reports etc.)
We have also had bullying issues which haven't helped.
If we move for September to private school and panel agree to assess what happens with EHCP process?
We don't expect LA to pay for private school but we may go back to state for secondary in a couple of years.

The EHCP process continues.

Personally, I wouldn’t move until you either have an EHCP or have refusal and have appealed.

It is unlawful but when DC have recently moved schools LAs sometimes claim DC need time to settle. This can be more likely if it is an independent school because they will know some parents are likely to continue to make their own arrangements rather than appeal a refusal.

If the delay will mean the LA will breach the timescale, I would remind them that isn’t acceptable. This is especially important because of the summer holidays and the exceptions to the timescales over the summer when it isn’t practicable for the LA to comply.

Be aware if you make your own arrangements and an EHCP is issued, if the school isn’t named in the EHCP, the LA doesn’t have to fund the special educational provision either. Sometimes some LAs will come to an agreement whereby parents pay the fees and the LA funds the special educational provision, but they don’t have to and such arrangements are less common than they once were.