been told ds cant go to a ss even before his ehcp has been written

[kojackscat]

STILL waiting for ds's ehcp to get written. Mainstream school want him out, the have made it v clear they can't cope with his needs. However, I got an e mail today from the la telling me that the area has no ss provision, the next closest it over the border, in the next la, and is full anyway, so we need to look at local Ms schools.

Surely they cant say this till they have drafted his ehcp, which is when they will understand his needs. And if there is no appropriate ss school locally does he have to just go to local mainstream, or do they have to find him a suitable ss a bit further away?

That's encouraging,bigbird69

The school cant meet his needs cos the ta left and they do not have money, or the inclination, to replace her. She was v skilled, not straight from a mcjob, but sadly,will not be replaced. Each term since the start of year r the school have warned me that there is only enough money for a half term of support, but somehow, each time, money was found. So he has had support since then until Xmas in year 1. This time they really did run out of money.

Op's child doesn't have a statement, she is waiting for draft EHCP.

Op if the ms school is saying that they can't meet dc's needs then this can be used in your favour when applying for the ss you want because if ms can't meet his needs then ss is the only option really. Try and get everything the school have said in writing if you can. I found that when ds's ms school could no longer meet his needs, they were quick to put it all in writing to get him out a bit quicker.

We don't have a statement yet, still going through a long, protracted assessment.

Thanks fairgame. I think what you say makes sense, but all I get from the la is 'there is no ss in the area, so he has to go to ms' I know that cant be right, but I cant get them to say otherwise. If we ever get the ehcp I guess I will have to go to tribunal to fight it. So in the meantime, ds continues to struggle and fail at school.

They can't refuse a ss just because there isn't one in the area. They have to fund an out of area school to meet his needs if that is the case. My son travels 45 miles to his school because it's the nearest one that can meet his needs. I had to appeal for the place but the LA conceded before the hearing because all my reports suggested ss and his ms school had clearly said they could not meet his needs and they had literally tried everything. Another poster on here has 2 of her children in out of county special schools because there are none in her county. You really have to fight to get what you need sometimes but it can be done. There are always helpful people on here that will guide you through any appeals.

Thanks fairgame. I am currently researching and visiting local ms schools, looking for reasons to prove they cant meet his needs. So far I feel I have strong reasons to reject our catchment school and one other. Still lots to go!

My daughter attends an out of county non maintained special school. Other children from this LA also attend and historically have had a good relationship with the school and sent pupils. Can you find out if other children in your attend any out of county placements and get advice?

I think most LAs are trying to really squeeze the transport budget at the moment and it will go in your favour to provide it.