RE: taking on local education Authority with no EHC

[user1478519429]

hi,

I am going to take on the local educational Authority (Oxford) to get my dyslexia child age 9 into a specialist school. He is only behind in English and would not get a EHC plan. I have a private report clearly stating his dyslexia. I have school reports stating he is behind by two years in English. (is fine in all other subjects) Any advise on how you managed the LEA and has anyone done it without a EHC plan?

I would not have thought this is possible. With the exception of some very specialist placements (mental health, secure units), the route for LA funding of specialist placements is via the provision in the child's EHCP. This is outlined in the SEN legislation. Your first step would be to apply for an EHC needs assessment of your child. If the LA did not feel that your child's needs merit an EHC assessment, it is very unlikely they would fund a specialist placement. Even most children with EHC's are educated in mainstream schools. Of course, you can appeal their decision not to assess and there are clear pathways for doing this.

Hi, thank you both for taking the time to reply. It is greatly appreciated.

no, I have not applied as I been told he is not behind enough....... other than in English but...............it is difficult to learn in a main stream school as non dyslexia children in his peer group can read, write and spell so writing their answers, information down and reading the teachers words either on a board or in note form is not a problem, for some dyslexia children these basic tools to read, spell and write are not developed, even if the topic work or math can be clearly understood. There is also a speed issue with writing and reading.

I have a 15 page report clearly stating this from Ed Psy. there is a processing issue and short term memory so needs to learn in an environment that can take these issues into account.

The primary school is good and are doing what they can but the class is mostly non dyslexia children who have achieved what they need to in English, spelling etc. as they should.

Has anyone gone through the process and can give advise with or without a legal representative?

It's becoming increasingly difficult to get LA to recognise dyslexia - however by applying for an EHCP it looks at what a child needs to meet outcomes.
So if the outcome is processing speed, being able to communicate knowledge and access reading/writing and to reach this outcome the child needs a specialist placement then you have an argument for EHCP.

Have a look at the IPSEA information about applying.
It would also help to have a list of all the things the school have tried and which have and haven't worked and if they have increased progress, kept progress steady or whether the gap is widening.

Also have a look as some la have what they call a EHCP threshold. They aren't allowed blanket policies but it can help to know what thresholds they use and compare your child's needs to it.

For example, my la argue DS needs aren't in bottom 2% and aren't sever or significant however his spelling standardised score is below 70 which the la does class as severe and significant. He's not below their threshold for acheivement levels but what I'm highlighting is that he is getting further behind every year so he's not meeting the best possible outcome (which is what SENDCOP says they should meet).

I did do it but would take me 3 appeals - I did it myself with help from others on here. My DD is now in a specialist dyslexia school - my DD did pick up other dx along they way as we had other reports done ie ot and salt and she was also dx with ASD and I don't know if that did make a difference than her only having a dyslexia dx.