Inappropriate schools being consulted with

[Whatsthisscotchmist]

I have just received a list of the SEN schools the LA is consulting with for my 5 year old ASD/ADHD son. Two of them focus on SEMH which he does not have, the school websites mention the school catering for children who have experienced trauma and have SEMH issues. His EHCP clearly says ASD/social communication is his primary need and that he requires an ASD specialist school.
I am terrified and massively stressing. Please tell me that I can’t be forced to send him to a school I don’t agree is suitable for him.
the school I named as my preference has been consulted with and they have said they can meet need but they won’t be able to agree if they have space until spring.

Also if anyone has any experience of Hambrook School in burgess hill, or Hilden park school in tonbridge, please feel free to reach out and share your experiences! Thankyou x

It isn’t uncommon for LAs to consult with schools parents believe, rightly or wrongly (and I am not saying in your case you wrongly believe that), are inappropriate. Contact the schools yourself to ensure they have a complete picture and accurate information.

Is your preferred school wholly independent? Unless your preferred school is wholly independent, the LA must name your preferred school 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 prove one of the above is higher than LAs and some schools admit. Being full is not defined in law, and for non-wholly independent schools, on its own being ‘full’ is not enough of a reason to refuse to name your preference. The LA has to prove the school is so full admitting DS is incompatible. The bar for this is high. It has to be something tangible and specific and is more than an “adverse effect”, “impact on” or “prejudicial to”. You don’t need an offer of a place for non-wholly independent schools.

You only need an offer of a place for wholly independent schools.

Although a school named in an EHCP must admit, a school being named in an EHCP doesn’t automatically register a child at the school, so you don’t have to register DS at the school just because it is named. When the LA finalise, if they don’t name your preferred placement, you will be able to appeal.

Is it Hambrook and Hilden Park who you are meaning have been consulted? Hambrook is an ASD school. Many also have various co-morbidities. It doesn’t suit all presentations, but their pupils have ASD (or are believed to have ASD). Hilden Park, has a mix of DC with ASD and SEMH as primary need. Although, again, it doesn’t suit all and has some DC with significant VCB. Witherslack has also had some significant safeguarding issues.

My preferred school is wholly independent.

my son is only 5, and he is academically able. I hate the idea of him being around serious challenging behaviour. He does not have this.

please would you able to shed more light on the safeguarding issues at Hilden Park? Thanks for your reply xx

Wholly independent schools can’t be named against their will, so, unfortunately, if you don’t have an offer of a place, it can’t be named.

I am not aware of any major safeguarding issue at Hilden Park specifically. I was commenting on the Witherslack group as a whole. If you google, several news articles will come up.

If you are on Facebook there are a number of families in the Reaching Families group (a parent support group for families in West Sussex) who have children at Hambrook and are usually very happy to share their experiences.