EHCP for post 16?

[pinkjessie]

Apologies, I just need to rant! DD is 15 and at the end of year 10. She has dyslexia, anxiety and depression and possibly ASD (on waiting list for assessment). She's had huge periods of missing school due to school based anxiety since year 6 and is under CAMHs and on medication. School have never really supported her, always changing everything and she has had the usual friendship issues which she takes to heart. For the last year she has been attending a building outside of school for kids in a similar situation to her but the downside was she wasn't doing much academic work (basically nothing towards GCSEs). She hasn't done her mocks because they didn't have a room for her to do them in and now we've been told for year 11 she has to go back in to the main site for the whole day but just do maths english and science. I know she won't manage this and she will start not attending again. The SENDco people keep changing, no one replies to emails. I contacted the council SEND who just emailed me a link to the webpage where I contacted them and told me to contact the Educational welfare officer. The EWA told me to make a complaint with school. In the end I have requested a EHC assessment. I just feel she has missed so much school and now is going to have a struggle with Y11 that she will need more support post 16. Anyone been in a similar situation?

I get so burnt out with the system it always feels like you are fighting a battle. You get fobbed off by everyone 😭

You have done the right thing by requesting an EHCNA. EHCPs can last until 25, or 26 in some cases, so it is still worth pursuing an EHCP.

In the meantime, request a meeting with the SENCO. They must make their best endeavours to meet DD’s SEN and make reasonable adjustments.

If DD is unable to attend school full time, under section 19 of the Education Act 1996, the LA has a duty to ensure she still receives a suitable full-time education. Request alternative provision from the LA. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. It is important to still pursue an EHCP because an EHCP can provide more support, including therapies, than section 19 provision can and the LA’s duty under s19 only applies to compulsory school aged pupils. The LA doesn't have the same duty to provide education to post 16 pupils, so while they have the power to make arrangements, they very rarely do because they don’t have a duty to.