Year 7 looming - independent or mainstream base - some questions

[TomTedSam]

My DD is in year 5 and attends a specialist school with an EHCP. She is very bright, sociable and enjoys school. She is likely high functioning autistic but hasn't got a diagnosis. We're on the CAMHS list and our LA doesn't accept private diagnoses. Likely not to be assessed until she is in year 8 at this rate.

For year 7 onwards, I would like her to attend a very small independent mainstream which has excellent SEN support. The cost of this, including support set out in her EHCP would be significantly less than the specialist school fees currently paid.

A state mainstream secondary would be utterly overwhelming for her and as she doesn't have a diagnosis I presume she wouldn't get a place in the already oversubscribed base in the mainstream secondary?

Her current school is an all-through but she wouldn't be academically challenged enough. Other local specialist schools aren't appropriate for her needs.

Could the LA place her in a base without a diagnosis of autism? Her presentation is one of high functioning ASD and EHCP sets out support as though she is. Or by asking for a (albeit very different) mainstream as a first choice, could they decide to place her in a mainstream full stop - no base?

The EHCP is really good - specified and quantified and I don't believe a state large mainstream (if she were to attend not in the base) could meet those needs.

Any advice much appreciated.

Your LA cannot lawfully have a blanket policy of refusing to accept independent assessments and diagnoses just because they are independent.

Whether bases within MS need a diagnosis depends on the base. Some do, some don’t.

With the needs you describe, I don’t think state mainstream, base or not, will work. If the EHCP is good, this should be clear from B&F. However, there is a chance the LA will name state MS anyway and force you to appeal. As DD is currently in SS, they are less likely to name MS, but it does still sometimes happen.

Have you spoken to the independent school? Are they willing to offer a place? I would start building your evidence to support placing there ready for the phase transfer review which should take place in the autumn term of Y6.