Academic School for HF Autism and Mental Health

[StuckCompletely]

Hi, can anyone help with recommendations schools for a year 10 girl with Autism and mental health needs (anxiety). Has an EHCP but current school isn't meeting her needs and potentially looking at weekly boarding. I've spent hours looking through websites and feel very overwhelmed and confused! She is academic and wants to do GCSEs. We are Cambridgeshire/Lincolnshire area.
Thank you!

Have a look at some of the Aspris schools, Cambian schools, Cavendish schools (Gretton is an ASD school in Cambridgeshire, if you are looking for more of a SEMH school depending on where you are look at Wilds Lodge although it only offer girls day placements). NAS’s Helen Allison is probably too far to reasonably travel each day.

There’s also Alderwasley hall in Derbyshire. West Heath in Kent is a SEMH school worth a look.

You could look at Bramfield House in Suffolk too, but I don’t know if they will be able to meet DD’s academic needs. Same with Demeter House too.

You can search for schools here.

Thank you for your suggestions! I had a long list which has become much smaller! Unfortunately everything reasonably close for pick ups on a weekend seems to be either full or can't meet need. Mental health with autism diagnosis is the primary need on EHCP. I don't know what to do now, look further afield and accept a long journey twice a week for boarding?

Are the full schools wholly independent? If they aren’t, on its own full (which isn’t defined in law) is not enough of a reason to refuse admission, the LA have to prove the school is so full admitting DD is incompatible. The bar to prove that is high, more than an “adverse effect”, “impact on” or “prejudicial to”. If the LA cannot prove this unless the school is wholly independent the LA can, and must, name the school regardless of the school’s objections.

The schools you say can’t meet needs, is that your opinion or the schools’/LA’s?

For the right placement a longer journey twice a week is worth it. Or if it is a long way away and the school offers full boarding returning home every other week might be an option. You would also be able to get transport.

Some more suggestions to look at are some of the Aurora group schools and West Kirby School in Wirral.

Yes independent schools that we're looking at. None of the maintained SEN could meet need. LA consulted with one Autism specialist independent but they couldn't meet the mental health need (anxiety). So I'm looking for ones that are SEMH. One I tried looked perfect but was full. I've found another which is day only. Others don't seem suitable for various reasons. I'm going to look at some further south tomorrow! West Heath looks promising !

Just looked at west Kirby, I hadn't come across that one as I've been mainly looking in the east/midlands. It's made tomorrow's list! Thank you, feel a bit more positive now I've got a few options again!

Not all independent special schools are wholly independent. Are the independents wholly independent or section 41 independents? The latter are treated just like maintained/academy/free special schools and non-maintained special schools. Only wholly independent special schools have different rules.

LA consulted with one Autism specialist independent but they couldn't meet the mental health need (anxiety).

If the school isn’t a wholly independent school, but is a section 41 independent school if you think they could meet DD’s needs you can pursue a place there even though the school object. Same for the one that is ‘full’.

I've completely missed this! How would I know if it's section 41 or completely independent? EHCPs are a complete minefield!

If you use the link in my pp to search the school it will tell you the type of school e.g. independent special school, non-maintained special school etc. And for independent special schools it will tell you whether it is section 41 registered or not. There’s also a list of section 41 independent schools here.

.. I believe the one that has been formally consulted with and the one I enquired with are section 41. That's good to know that there might be some discussions able to happen. I'll speak to the social worker in the morning.
Thank you so much for that, I'm not sure how I've missed that on my hours and hours spent learning about EHCPs 😔

If the schools are not wholly independent the LA can only refuse to name your preference if they can prove:
-The setting is unsuitable for the age, ability, aptitude or special educational needs (“SEN”) of the child or young person; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the provision of efficient education for others; or
-The attendance of the child or young person would be incompatible with the efficient use of resources.

Unless the LA can prove one of the above they can, and must, name the school even if the school object. The bar to prove one of the above is high, and being full is not enough on its own.

You can appeal if the LA refuse to name your preference.

More information on IPSEA here.

Thank you so much for your time helping a stranger. I was feeling overwhelmed and like we'd reached the end of a very long road but have a lot more options now.

Limpsfield Grange might be worth a look