Hi,
Our DS has been being assessed for an EHCP and went to panel a couple of weeks ago. During half term, we recieved in the post a final ECHP, naming his current Primary School and giving band D funding. Actually quite happy with the EHCP, seems accurate, very detailed, realistic but stetching targets, sensible levels of support, basically a full time TA to help him etc... We were also delighted he'd be staying at his current primary school, which he loves and is just a 2 mins walk from home.
Then this Monday I get a phone call from a lady at the council who was full of apologies and told us the process had gone wrong. We were actually supposed to be sent a draft EHCP (we've never had a draft, they went directly to final) and that the school should have been left blank because they are recommending he move to a special school. To be honest the phone call was so out of the blue and rambling I couldn't quite get my head round what she was saying so I asked her to put it in email.
The email arrived an hour later, again full of apologies and saying that they can't revoke the 'final' status but they're going to treat it as a draft and we have 15 days to choose which schools we want to consider...... A couple of emails later and she finally sent us a letter recommending a specific school.....but absolutely no information on what other options the panel considered or why they chose that one.
At the of the day, it all feels terribly chaotic and it's really upset us and we don't really know what to do next!!! Thankfully, the SENCO at DS's current school is really supportive and lovely - and they are just as angry with the council as we are (although they do agree that DS needs a special school - they can't provide what he needs in mainstream) They've suggested a few schools to us and say we should go visit a few.
So - a couple of questions - how on earth to we go about choosing schools and how can we visit them? I've rung a few but most only allow visits on specified open days, all of which are more than 15 days away. Should we just name loads of schools (there's about 4 or 5 we're interested in) and get the council to send the paperwork to them all??
The other question is a bit of a logistical challenge - we both work, but special schools never seem to have after school clubs. DS loves afterschool club at the moment (he complains if we pick him up too early.....he's a very sociable little chap!) and without it we are really stuck. He doesn't need a fulltime carer - he's very independent and plays nicely with other kids. How do people manage afterschool care when their little'uns go to a special school??
Any advice gladly received!! Thanks :)