Understanding the difference between SEN and EHCP when it comes to school applications

[seanderson]

My daughter has just been diagnosed with ADD (attention deficit disorder... AKA Inattentive ADHD). This now means she is SEN. Having done a bit of reading though, it's unclear if this is enough - having a diagnosis report, for her to be 'bumped' to the top of the list when it comes to state school applications. From reading various websites it would suggest that she would need an EHCP for this... but school will be able to meet her needs, so I don't think she will need one? Anyone shed any light?

Having an EHCP means that you don’t have the same application process for secondary school . State schools are pretty much required to offer a place to children with an EHCP, unless there are particular circumstances. The wording is something like ‘unless it interferes with the efficient education of other pupils’

Being on a register means that it is recognised that there is a special educational need, but that it is being met by using the resources the school has, without the need for additional funding. Children do not need to have a diagnosis to have educational needs.

Having a report will not bump her up the list, particularly if the school is meeting her needs and she is making progress. If you feel, at any time, that she requires more support, you can apply for an EHCP yourself. Sites like IPSEA and SOSSEN have letter templates. The process can be quite lengthy and LAs sometimes have to be chased up.

Not all DC with SEN have EHCPs. In fact, most don’t.

Admission for those with EHCPs is outwith the normal admission process. With an EHCP, there are limited reasons in law for the LA refusing to name parental preference.

For those with SEN but without EHCPs, the normal admission process applies. So you will need to look at each school’s oversubscription criteria. Some schools have an exceptional medical or social needs oversubscription category. However, even when a school has such a category, the majority of those with SEN (with a diagnosis or otherwise) won’t meet the threshold for that. The bar is high. On its own, having ADHD is not enough. You need professional evidence showing why that particular school is necessary. It needs to be the professional's opinion rather than a letter saying ‘mum says…’

Even having an EHCP doesn't necessarily "bump you up the list". My school received more consultations for EHCP places last year than we actually have places in year 7. A mainstream school.

Although LAs often send consultations to multiple schools, so schools receive more consultations than the number of EHCPs naming the school in the end.

Oh absolutely but I'm not sure I was clear. I meant we got 200+ consultations.

@Needlenardlenoo I have know that to happen. Some LAs send more consultations than others. Some send consultations en masse for some CYP.

When we appealed for EOTIS for DS3, the LA consulted 41 placements.

We haven’t even received the AN yet following DS1’s recent AR meeting and the LA has already consulted more than 15 placements that I know of. They began their ridiculous consultation spree before we had even had the meeting. They had the audacity to tell more than one placement they are parental preference - they aren’t.

"Consultation spree" 😂. Well I hope you get the right one eventually.

OP, throw your time and effort into finding a secondary school that you believe DC has a good chance of getting into via the standard secondary admissions process.

If you need help and/or decide to pursue an EHCP there is a support thread linked below. Bear in mind though that if your child is year 5 or older it's more than likely the EHCP wouldn't be in place before the October of year 6 application deadline (that doesn't necessarily matter long run but you will need to engage with the standard secondary admissions process).

www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5309128-ehcp-support-thread-no-5?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Am I right in thinking that for regular ADHD pupils, most don’t need an EHCP?

Well it depends what you mean by "need". It does depend a lot what your child is like at 13-16 (most schools will cut year 7s some slack) but it's extremely easy for some DC with ADHD to fall foul of behaviour policies and the EHCP offers some protection and makes it more likely their needs may be met to some extent.

EHCPs are based on needs rather than diagnosis. Not all DC with ADHD require an EHCP, but some do.