Visiting special schools in a neighbouring Local Authority - not allowed?

[hanbee]

Hi,

I wondered if anyone knows if it is fine for one LA to say that you cannot visit/view a special school because you live in a different LA. I live under 30 mins for another LA but have been given a pretty clear impression that the neighbouring LA will not allow me to even view their schools even though they are closer than the SN provision in our own LA. This seems rather dodgy ground to me but I know many of you are much more experienced on the legal front so wondered if anyone can advise me?

Thanks

Don't know the legal situation but I 'phoned up to arrange to look around a ss in a neighbouring area and was quizzed about where we lived. Was then told that they had no vacancies for at least 12 months - my LA said that that was not the case. I didn't pursue it as I didn't want to send my ds to a school with that kind of attitude.

If it a maintained school or an academy then you are entitled to place your child there. A Tribunal would not take that view. Parental choice rules - its a big theme these days you know!

It shouldn't make any difference - your LEA will still pay for the place. DS1's (day state SLD) school has children attending from 3 LEA's.

jus.t tell them you are thinking of moving in to the area and are looking at schools.
There are no "laws" that say you cant look at a potential school.

A little lie white won't hurt if you get he answers you need

I looked at 2 independent special schools both in different LEAs. Wasn't a problem at all.

I think that some maintained special schools are told to reserve spaces for their own LA children as if they run out it will cost that LA additional funds to send the child to an OOC when they could have possibly met their needs within had it not been for that pesky child that came from somewhere else.

I viewed maintained ss in neighbouring boroughs, it was never an issue that I didn't live there. Who gave you the impression that you couldn't, do you know if there are children there from your lea?

I know people who have looked at SS in different county (& country as we live close to the border)even though their child already had a place at SS within their own LA (which they were unhappy with). They subsequently went on to successfully get a place there funded by their LA.
I can't see any problem with going to look around (and can't imagine there can be a law against it - we allegedly live in a free country). It doesn't mean that either the school have to accept your DC or that your LA have to fund a place there. But no harm in looking.

that makes sense starlight

Thanks for all your comments. Written in the notes at the last TAC meeting "X LA requests that parent from Y county are not encouraged to look round X special school". All special school websites in X state that they have current pupils from Y. All also say to arrange viewing ask Y LA to contact X LA to ask. At which point X tell you to go away. Have found one Head happy to let me look round unofficially.

Am facing the distinct possibility yo having to send my 4 year old on a huge daily journey to access less facilities than he could closer to home in a neighbouring LA school. Depressing.

Think you should ring ipsea and ask if you can be banned from visiting a school cos of postcode. Sounds dodgy to me.

If it's true, suggest finding someone in that area with a SN dc (doesn't have to be suitable for the SS) and asking them to book a visit and bring you as their 'friend' . Or even put in a stupidly low offer (ie certain to be rejected out of hand) on a house on school's doorstep and call school to say so

I wonder if your LA has to pay something to cover the costs of assessing your dc and showing you round