Does anyone know when changes to EHCP process will happen?

[CherryBlossomAutumn]

I have read that the government want to overhaul the system of providing SEN support for children, giving a list of special schools to choose from and trying to veer away from special school provision to mainstream settings. So if you apply for an EHCP you will no longer be able to name a school of your own choice.

Does anyone know whether this right, and if so, when it is going to come into effect? I am applying for an EHCP next year (moving back to UK), and want to name a specialist independent school that would be great for DS. It is not a ‘41’ and may well never be on any approved list. I am also worried as no way could DS cope in mainstream (secondary).

Providing parents with a tailored list of schools was part of the SEND green paper. It was a consultation document rather than legislation. No-one knows if it will even happen and if it does when, but it won’t be any time soon as there will need to change changes to legislation.

As you want a wholly independent SS you will need to demonstrate the LA’s proposed school(s) can’t meet DS’s needs &/or it isn’t unreasonable public expenditure anyway, so I would focus on that. But first focus on actually getting an EHCNA and then an EHCP in the first place.

Thanks @ThomasWasTortured It’s crazy isn’t it, the independent school (with SEN support included) I want is around £35,000 LESS per year that the alternative special schools in my area, so I hope that they don’t argue that DS has to go to them, as they have imho bullying issues. DS isn’t in mainstream now, he’s in a specialist school so hopefully they will not try to argue for that either as he would never cope, his needs are fairly high.

The other thing to consider is for a wholly independent school you will need an offer of a place from the school.