Anxious about EHCP secondary place announcement on Friday

[Aislyn]

My LA has already said that we won't get any of the preferred schools I put down. They won't tell me where we are getting. It will most likely be the local 'sink' school, which is known for its kids carrying knives, fighting, gangs, disruptive behaviour etc.

My daughter has autism and ADHD and is extremely vulnerable. She would absolutely not cope in an environment like that, as she has sensitivity to noise, crowds etc, and would be vulnerable to gang exploitation.

I cannot send her there, and will absolutely register an appeal but I worry it won't be heard in time or give us a good enough place.

I am considering sending her abroad to boarding school. Local independent is too expensive.

Any other ideas welcome. Online schooling would need someone to prompt her to stay on task so not practical.

Phase transfer appeals are prioritised. There won’t be enough court time to hear all cases before the start of the academic year so some will be held in the autumn term, but if you appeal ASAP once the EHCP is finalised rather than waiting until the last moment, you should get a date in the summer term. Even if you don’t, I would just hold on.

Start building your case now. Look at your evidence, see what more you need. Ask the LA why they won’t be naming your preferred placement. You can submit SARs. Is your preferred placement wholly independent?

Is a boarding school in Ireland realistic? How would DD cope? Does the school you are thinking of even have space and would they offer a place?

Are you hoping for a specialist or mainstream school place?

As soon as the suitable school is named look at appealing. Phase transfer appeals should be expidited.

Ask for copies of all the consults and responses that the LA has had from schools.