Naming a type of setting but not an actual School on an EHCP?

[FrayedHem]

I chase the LA up today as DS1's EHCP is late. Apparently the draft was just waiting signature and should be coming out in the post today. The caseworker did say they have not heard about our requested placement. It's an ASD Hub which is geographically nearest to us but falls under South-county, whilst we come under Mid-county and they don't know when South will be confirming places. As it's to name a secondary apparently this must happen by 15th Feb.

I asked what would happen if the EHCP was due to be finalised before placements had been confirmed as I understood it was normally 15 days after the draft had been sent. I was told not to worry, they could name a type of placement. I queried how this would work as there are very limited spaces and a lot of applications. I didn't get a proper answer and I'm just a bit baffled.

Any ideas?

But of course 'access to' and 'opportunities for' don't mean anything, and if nothing is specified, then if he can do it once or twice in the year then it's done....

Refer them to paragraph 9.69 of the Code of Practice. The bit about section F makes it perfectly clear that support must be specific and detailed, and obviously terms like "access to" just don't comply with that. "Adult" could be the cleaning lady!

Thanks Megatherium I'll even print off the relevant part for them. They've ignored their statutory requirements twice so far but hey third time's a charm, right?!?

I've posted back my response to the draft and included a paragraph on how I felt it could have been avoided had the Ed Psych assessed DS1, rather than refusing to meet him and instead just reviewing the school's transfer paperwork. Not sure if that was my best move but it's done now. I'm betting they will agree to amend the typos and bizarre grammar but will ignore everything else.

Next on the list; getting the school to respond to the Specialist Teacher's request to come and see DS1.

OMG he got a place at the ASD hub!

Fantastic

Thank you!
I still can't believe it. I had rung SEND IAS to find out what would happen when the place was refused and we didn't want the local school named and there were no alternatives. She went off to speak to the SEN Caseworker who gave her permission to tell me. I cried and OMG'ed in the traditional Essex way on the phone and made the SEND IAS lady well up too. I'd never spoken to her before today.

(I've also profusely thanked the SEN caseworker and the Specialist Teacher by email). No EP assessment, a late draft with mainstream plus support wording and yet he got the place. He got the place!

Even DS1's awful mood, snappy comments in the communication book and DS3 having a meltdown on the school run haven't wiped the smile off my face. Well not completely!