Spoke to LEA today apparently Panel need to investigate further before making a decision about Independent Special School as they don't feel that there is a suitable peer group there for ds based on the pupils they place there.
However as I pointed out they are in fact in a minority when it comes to placement of pupils there so they aren't exactly basing their opinions on concrete facts and the school has two facilities one for ASD and SLD and the other for ASD but cognitively "normal" where ds would fit .
I asked them to name the alternatives so that I can investigate them myself as the first three given to me by the LIO have all proven unsuitable but the panel haven't managed to come up with any alternatives but suggested I might look at regular sixth forms.
I met a while back with our local one and they were horrified that I would even consider it as they have neither the experience nor the resources and as I pointed out if a sixth form was suitable ds would stay where he is with the specialist support he is already getting only the school are saying and the LEA accept they can no longer meet his needs.
I find it bizarre that they'd suggest a placement with less support when the support he has isn't enough.
Oh well onwards and upwards so they say