EHCP without funding

[jackparlabane]

Somewhat to my surprise, ds (Y5, has ASD) has been assessed and given an EHCP with no problem at all. However, despite negotiations with the LA and the school's recommendations, it has zero funding attached to it.

Given that the main thing he needs from a secondary is an understanding attitude and places where he can get peace and quiet at breaks, I'm not sure this is much of a problem - the LA have confirmed that it's still a valid EHCP for purposes of circumventing the usual application procedure, but will potential schools see it as a problem and try to argue they can't meet his needs?

I suppose that would be a clue they didn't have the supportive attitude they'd require - he's a bright and lovely kid when his needs are met, but if teachers start trying to go hardball on him, they will have so many problems all the funding in the world wouldn't help them.

I'm starting to look at secondaries so any tips gratefully received. Apparently we have a much better chance of getting funding when the EHCP is reviewed at the start of Y6, "to enable a successful transition to secondary"?

You need to be sure the EHCP correctly identifies all your son's needs (as identified by all the professionals who carried out the assessments) in Part B and that all the provision/support required to meet these needs is put in Section F.

Information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/what-an-ehc-plan-contains

With regard to schools, I would look at schools with a sixth form to avoid, if possible, another transition at age 16.

Good communication is crucial. Bear this in mind when you ring up to make appointments to visit. If they don't return calls or take ages to get back to you, I wouldn't touch them with a barge pole. If they show this lack of interest in prospective students, what are they like with the students they already have?

With any school I would want to know:

how much knowledge/experience /training the staff have of autism
what links they have with specialists
how they routinely liaise with parents
what provision is made at lunchtime if DS is struggling with the lack of routine outside
Opportunities for individual/small group learning
and if there is any opportunity provided to support with homework in school, if this becomes an issue at home, which it may do.

Homework was a huge issue for us. Fortunately, our son went to a fantastic secondary school where they had a homework club at lunchtime with support available to help, and he did all his homework there.
They had what they called an "Enhanced Learning Base", a quiet, calm environment where students who needed extra help were withdrawn from their normal classes, and worked in small groups or 1:1 on basic skills, or whatever else they needed to do. The students were also allowed to go in there at lunchtime to do quiet activities if it was too overwhelming for them to go outside with all the other students.

In my experience, you know when you have found the right place, usually within minutes of walking into the building. Good luck OP.

Thank you for this. All local schools have sixth forms, except the brand new one which will do eventually.

Homework is a big thing for us too - well, it isn't, as it simply doesn't get done. I looked at one school which looked pretty good though their Senco has since left. Apparently one nearby school is improving greatly, while the great school everyone's always wanted now has a huge problem with gangs just outside - ds's excellent command of put-downs is not something I want combined with kids with knives...