Private school - completing an EHCP

[vinoandbrie]

Has anyone had any experience regarding obtaining support for an EHCP whilst their child was in an independent school setting?

Many thanks.

I work in an independent school and have supported parents through the EHCP process. It's not easy and should the LA agree to assess,and later, to issue a Plan it is unlikely they will consider funding an independent school place until they have exhausted their own resources. It is always a long and fraught process that quite often ends in Tribunal. Sorry, that's probably not what you wanted to hear.

Thank you, that’s really helpful.

We wouldn’t be looking for the school fees to be paid, as we pay them as a matter of course. It would be for provision over and above what the school’s standard SENCO can provide. I don’t know if that makes it any easier when applying (or not!).

I am aware that it will be a battle and am dreading it. I keep pushing down my feelings and just trying to be strong and be the best advocate for DD that I possibly can be.

Not all LAs will name an independent MS with an arrangement for parents to pay the fees because if the indie is named in the EHCP the LA is responsible for the fees and additional SEN provision.

If the LA believe another school can meet DD's needs they will try to name that, although you could appeal. If you chose to pay for the indie the LA are likely to say you are making suitable arrangements to educate DC thereby relieving them of their duties.

The threshold to assess and the needs assessment itself are the same regardless of the school the child is attending. The only legal test for assessment is has or may have SEN and may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP. The LA may refuse to assess, they often do in the hope you will drop it, but do appeal.

Thank you for this.

She is already the the independent school and has been since reception, so we would definitely not move her. Gosh, this is not going to be straightforward is it. At all.

*at the...

My child has been since reception now yr6. I applied for the needs assessment by letter and school supported. Needs assessment took place but EHCP refused on basis that school can resource.
My major concern is moving forward child has been in a class of 14 and getting help which is very different from state secondary which will be next step

Hi @itsmymess we have just had an EHCP with 20 hours of additional support issued. It is possible!

As others have said, LA really don't like doing it but we explicitly state in my son's EHCP that we will always pay for the fees. It also states that local primary 'could' meet need, but I know that they actually said that it sounds as though my son's needs are being better met at his current school.

I think it helps if they're already there vs you trying to move them to an indie. As does a decent SENCO who can clearly evidence all of your child's struggles. I hadn't realised either that legally we were on shaky ground by sending him to the indie school.

If your child needs the support it's genuinely worth battling through.

It is complicated. I have twins but the other has no SEN and the choices that originally suited both don't anymore. Lots to think about.

DS school would only help if meant the plan would get him removed to another school!! So appalled removed him !

I'm in the same boat - son about to start independent school (due to small class size - plus we get a big fee discount as I work in a connected school) but think we may need an EHCP. If you don't mind me asking, what was the outcome please?

We did it! It all came through. The LA pays for my child’s full time 1:1 and all the other stuff recommended on the EHCP. We pay the fees, nothing more. It was slightly stressful, but more straightforward than it might have been. No appeal, tribunal or anything like that was needed.