Applying for specialist further education colleges - Autism

[Njtrotman]

We are currently going through the dreaded transition process for our son, who is 16 and has autism and OCD. I am really keen to speak to any parents / people that were either successful or unsuccessful in getting their young people into a residential college for learning disabilities, by submitting an application via Careers Wales, to Welsh Government. I would be incredibly grateful to speak to parents about their experiences.

Sorry can't help as we are in England, but we did have a battle with our LA and ended up appealing to the SEND Tribunal twice to get our son into the specialist residential college we wanted. It was hugely stressful but so worth it.

No idea what the situation is like in Wales, but if you think this is what your son needs, go for it, keep pushing and don't give up. Good luck.

Thanks Ellie56. I don't intend on giving up - but think we will have a battle as he has such a spiky profile. Did you get any independent reports done, for example, from a clinical pyschologist? I know the process is probably different, but wondering what sort of things helped in the end? Thanks

As our son was over 18 he qualified for legal aid so we engaged a solicitor (Simpson and Millar).The solicitor recommended getting independent EP and OT reports which we did. The EP recommended "a waking day curriculum" that our son needed to live and work with other students on the autistic spectrum, and to be taught by staff trained and experienced in working with students on the autistic spectrum, which contributed I think. The clinical Psychologist said he needed a "calm quiet learning environment" ie not a busy noisy mainstream college and the therapists all said he needed to be in an autism specific placement.

The LA conceded basically because we proved that 1)our son needed an EHCP (they provided no evidence at all why he did not need one )

and 2) we proved that the college we wanted was ultimately cheaper than the totally unsuitable placement the LA were thinking of.

We are now appealing again, because they are refusing to fund another year, despite the fact that he has not yet achieved his outcomes. It is so unfair.

I would say gather as much information about your sons needs as you can to show why your choice of college is the best one for your son. I see this was posted a few months ago. How are you getting on now?