Moving to UK EHCP and EOTAS help!

[HopefulSeller]

My DS is in specialist education in a European country, he has complex needs including autism. He's done OK so far, but even his good school here, with one teacher to 5 kids and helpers, in a specialist provision is beginning to break down.

As in DS is getting very bored, restless and his anxiety around school increasing. He's made no friends, struggles with language, has Tourettes which always get a lot worse in school term and his sleep issues get a lot worse then also. He's started to say he wants to learn at home. He's academically able and advanced in science/maths but 4 years behind in English. He's also very vulnerable, no danger awareness both physical and social.

We are moving back to the UK, and I was hoping that he'd be able to get another specialist school. But I've looked at all the local specialist schools and they offer a lot less than the school he has now, they offer little to no academic challenge in maths and are even noisier with less staff. Also they have huge waiting lists. And a lot of parents say that they would even try and put DS into mainstream, because he tends to be quiet at school and it's only when he gets home that he just collapses with the strain of it all.

So I've got a problem! I would want to get an EHCP as soon as I've moved but I don't want him to be pushed into unsuitable provision, only to be traumatised. I want to go directly to EOTAS but it looks like the LA is a fight to get it. I don't even really think he needs lots of expense, online school and some therapies each week would really suit him. I don't have the money to do this myself.

Any tips? Is it going to be a nightmare? Are psychologist reports saying that he couldn't' cope in school unlikely because he hasn't have a breakdown and refused school?

When you say moving back to the UK, do you mean England? Each country has their own SEN system and EHCPs only apply to England.

Have you looked at independent and non-maintained special schools? It is possible to get specialist provision or EOTAS for DC who mask and experience the coke bottle effect. It is also possible to get EOTAS without attending mainstream or special school first. Many do have to appeal for EOTAS (and even for other settings or getting the LA to assess and issue in the first place). You would need to prove receiving the provision in school is inappropriate.

Unless the school is wholly independent, being full is not enough of a reason for the LA to refuse to name your preference. The LA would need to prove the school is so full placing DS there would be incompatible, which is a high bar. However, they sometimes refuse and force parents to appeal.

Thanks @OvertakenByLego I am moving back to England,

I've had a look at independent, special schools and even mainstream.

I've investigated every possibility and they are not suitable at all. I was disappointed as I did think if he has a better school than his one now it might work, but they are all a lot worse.

I'm worried I haven't enough evidence of him actually refusing school, but he hasn't. But I'm not sending him somewhere that I know is harmful, he trusts me and I won't break that trust. He has such potential to flourish.

Evidence of school refusal isn’t essential to proving receiving the provision in a school is inappropriate.

Glad you have considered indie and NMSS, just thought I would mention them because not everyone realises they can be funded via EHCPs.

Thanks again @OvertakenByLego I didn’t realise independents were an option at first either! If it wasn’t for parents like yourself I’d have no clue.