DS15 Has been excluded - what now?

[Fleetheart]

My DS has an EHCP for adhd, and a number of other conditions. He has been becoming more and more difficult at school and has now been excluded for drugs (2nd offence). He hasn’t done any work- is not at all engaged and so is not ready to take GCSEs. But it seems now as though we are being left to find somewhere for him to go ourselves. SEN officer has just said we need to research the best place for him. He has been deemed suitable for SEMH school, but there are no places. What can we do?

Hi

Didn't want to leave you unanswered.

Yes you will be left by the LA to look at schools yourself.

Cast your net widely - visit lots, both LA maintained and independent.

It might be an SEMH school would suit your DS, but you need to go round and see. ADHD itself isn't a MH condition so you need to be sure the methods they use there would suit your son.

Don't let them saying they are full put you off, they always say that when you enquire. If they can meet the needs in his EHCP and you are happy with the school the only legal reason they can not accept him is if it would be detrimental to the education of their exiting pupils. That's actually a pretty high bar.
They would have increase staff / shuffle classes around - the LA would have to fund them to do that.