How do I get a therapeutic school named on ehcp?

[blueskys72]

DC is currently at an openly non-therapeutic SEMH school. I've got a date for Tribunal for sections B, F and I am desperate to get a therapeutic school named. Would a letter from a psychiatrist or psychologist be sufficient?

Current school seem desperate for DC to stay there, think DC is choosing to behave as they do, don't agree with the diagnoses, happy to put in isolation for behaviours etc etc. I am equally desperate to get DC out!

Sorry for all the "desperates" - but I am!

Hopeful bump

You need to have some evidence of why he needs a therapeutic school. If you're appealing sections B and F have you got some new reports?

If DC is being disruptive at his current school that's usually a sign of unmet needs.

I had a report via the AdoptionSupport Fund, not written with ehcp in mind unfortunately, but enough info and recommendations to be impactful on what should be done. At Annual Review last year, Head/SENCO (hadn't read report because they hadn't asked for anything beforehand and I didn't know about getting reports in two weeks prior. I had sent it to school though) said "Oh I don't think we need put that in." Very dismissive. Went to mediation to get it out in. LA went over the deadline, and when I finally got amended plan, all the info was in section A. What provision they did put in F is completely unquantified, no SMART targets etc.

"Weekly therapeutic sessions" - apparently playing a card game with a member of staff meets this provision. School is openly non-therapeutic. Again no criteria to judge success or say anything about what this should entail.

should be able to use a computer for write work. I don't think this happens, but get punished for not writing enough by hand (misses time off break or lunch).

Yes, still some big behaviour outbursts. They say overall it has improved. But only because of fear of going into isolation (because THAT'S a cure for his condition!). It's like mainstream with fewer kids.

Excuse typos! Blurry morning eyes ...

What is a therapeutic school?

It is evidence you need and to then make sure the provision is specific and quantified. On it's own I'm not sure an ASF report not written specifically for the EHCP will be enough if your LA are proposing the current or another school. The LA will argue any SEMH school can meet needs.

If the provision is specific and quantified in normal times you can enforce the provision. If it's not specific and quantified then unfortunately you can not.

"Weekly therapeutic sessions" needs to be more specific and quantified. Otherwise as you have found they may not be the type of support that is needed.

If the computer use is specified then challenge it.

Would I have to provide those reports, or could I asked the LA for an updated EP report (current one two years old)? I can probably get our Camhs psychiatrist to write what I need though. Urghhhhh it's all such a mess

I did challenge stuff at the annual review but the SENCO is so slippery ... and just evades/bullshits or doesn't answer questions. I asked about the weekly therapeutic sessions, and was told it could be "something like a member of staff playing cards with X". And then wouldn't engage in any further conversation about it being so unspecific, and clearly not what a therapeutic session should be! Claimed laptop use was happening but my dc says it doesn't; and they have consequences for not finishing their writing (which I know does happen).
Don't even get me started on not giving medication every day and not telling me!

You can ask for a reassessment of needs. IPSEA have a model letter you can use. Although if the LA refuse to name the school you want and you want to go to tribunal you will probably need your own reports.

Have you got a school in mind? If so, is it a section 41 school?

Also focus on getting provision specific and quantified because then you can force the LA (who are ultimately responsible for ensuring EHCP provision is made) to provide it via Judicial Review.

Missing medication is worrying and it is something I would formally complain about, and if it wasn't resolved then I would escalate the complaint.