Diagnosis, support etc for a child in mainstream private sector - help needed

[EastEndQueen]

Hoping that someone might be able to shed a little light on the process for establishing diagnosis, support, reasonable adjustment etc for a child with additional learning needs within a mainstream private sector primary.

DS7 is in Year 2 in a small mainstream private primary school - he has always struggled with fine motor/ co-ordination skills and handwriting/ pencil control etc has been a concern from day 1 tbh. School has recommended weekly support from an occupational therapist since the beginning of Year 1 - this is fine and we have paid for this ourselves.

It’s becoming apparent as he gets older that the handwriting thing is still quite severe (it’s not much better than his 4 year old brother’s) and crucially is accompanied by some issues surrounding impulse control and attention span. He is very bright and reads beautifully, has intense focus on certain topics (history, sea creatures) and retains a vast amount of facts on these areas. He talks constantly and adores people. His occupational therapist is of the view that it’s ‘not just handwriting’ and that he needs a proper diagnosis and targeted support.

All absolutely fine. We aren’t diagnosis for the sake of it people but would be keen for him to get the support he needs (and reasonable adjustment when it comes to exams including secondary school entry). We can see how diagnosis would be helpful here.

Coming to the point: no one seems to be able to tell me how the various parts of the puzzle come together for this for a child NOT in the state sector. I keep being told things like ‘in the state sector the school would arrange for an educational psychologist’ and ‘the school needs to have a regular cycle of support plans and reviews to keep a paper trail for statutory support’ - but no one seems to be able to tell me the degree to which this works in the private sector.

We don’t have limitless money but would be in a position to pay for a private assessment/ review by an educational psychologist. But I keep having it suggested by various professionals that an NHS diagnosis is ‘good standard’ in terms of negotiating reasonable adjustment and that as such private clinics are of limited use. I also can’t get my head around if he might potentially be entitled to statutory support (dedicated TA time for example) within a private school.

Well done if you read this far! Would be grateful for any advice.

*gold standard

The only way to guarantee SEN support, in any type of school, is via an education health and care plan (EHCP). The school or parents can request an education health and care needs assessment, which can lead to an EHCP if successful.

The occupational therapist can write a report to support an application for EHCNA, which sounds like it could be good support. The school ought to be able to support too.

The idea that state schools have access to educational psychologists that private schools couldn't access is laughable. Either the people saying this are misinformed, or they are trying to convince you to take your son out of the school.

Diagnosis is separate to this. Private diagnosis should be treated equally to NHS, but I'm not clear why you can't try NHS diagnosis first. Unfortunately, pathways vary so much between areas that it's hard to give specific advice - some places prefer GPs to refer, others it's the schools. Who the referral is to varies immensely as well. A GP appointment, with a supporting letter from the occupational therapist, may be worthwhile if you've not discussed there yet and school aren't clear on the process. Do you have a sense of what diagnosis you might expect?

Thank you very much @Thisismynewusernamedoyoulikeit that’s really helpful.

It wasn’t suggested that state schools have better access to educational psychologists (I am fully aware of long waiting lists etc) but more that the ones which work within the state system are more ‘embedded’ within the NHS and able to refer if you see what I mean?

He now has an ECHP (at the OT’s suggestion) which his OT feels is very heavy on what we can do at home and very light on want the school can do. I have sent her suggested edits on to the school and am awaiting their response. I think where I am getting confused is that the OT says that the ECHP (and accompanying paper trail of it being reviewed and reissued) is key to demonstrating that he needs more support then the school is currently able to offer (I.e. dedicated TA time). I understand that, but what I’m totally unclear on is if that kind of external support would be available to a child within a private school?

We have had a GP referral (again at the OT’s recommendation) and saw an NHS Consultant paediatrician a few weeks back. They agreed re attention span/ impulse control and have referred to community paediatrics (haven’t heard back on this). At the same time both she and the OT have recommended a private educational psychologist review (it was the doctor who said ‘in the state sector the school would request this, although it could take a while…I’m not sure how it works in the private sector’.

I think I’m just very confused about how the different parts of the system will work together… the school SENCO is very friendly but doesn’t seem to be able to advise.

Re diagnosis I have thought for a long time that it might be dyspraxia (I was diagnosed with this at university myself, along with dyslexia which was identified at school) but as time goes on I do wonder about ADHD or similar

*’the school needs to have a regular cycle of support plans and reviews to keep a paper trail for statutory support’

This is a myth that some LAs/professionals/schools like to perpetuate. Any such policy is unlawful.

’in the state sector the school would arrange for an educational psychologist’

EP time is very limited and in most schools unless there were severe difficulties this would be unlikely outside of the EHCP process.

2 separate issues

1. Diagnosis. In some areas you can self refer. If you can’t, the GP or school will be able to. Who the referral is to will depend on what assessment you are pursuing, the area you live in and in some areas the child’s age. LAs and schools cannot refuse to accept independent assessments and diagnoses just because they are independent. The validity of any such assessment is less likely to be questioned if the assessment adheres to NICE guidelines &/or the HCP undertakes or has previously undertaken NHS work.
2. Support in schools is based on needs, not diagnosis. Independent schools must still adhere to the Equality Act and make reasonable adjustments. Many independent schools are not support of SEN, and where they are many charge extra. As pp posted, an EHCP is the only way to guarantee provision. IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request an EHCNA yourself.

X posted.

If DS has an EHCP why has he not been assessed by an EP and why are you funding the OT? The fact it is an independent school is irrelevant if DS has an EHCP. Section F must contain the provision reasonably required. You need to request an early review of the EHCP.

Thank you, this has been incredibly helpful. He doesn’t have an ECHP apologies for the confusion (I find the acronyms challenging) - he has an Individual Care Plan (ICP)

In which case you should request an EHCNA.

I'd just go now for a private assessment - you will be waiting for years in the NHS,

My daughter was in the state sector- they had no interest at all in referring her to an educational psychologist.

My daughter has dyspraxia, the assessing OT and Physio suggested I have her assessed for ADHD.

The ADHD assessor was also able to assess her with high functioning ASD, suggested a dyslexia assessment, she is not dyslexic- her issues with handwriting are due to visual processing disorder which she is being treated with by eye exercises from a behavioural optometrist.

She would never qualified for NHS assessments and definitely not treatments but paying privately I had the assessment and diagnosis within 6 months (there are still waiting lists paying privately) and I am able to pay for treatments that will benefit her. It's also helped me greatly in choosing a suitable private school for her.

It's extremely unlikely your son will qualify for a state funded TA support in his private school if he's got this far without it, I'd save your energy for what you can do for him

It's extremely unlikely your son will qualify for a state funded TA support in his private school if he's got this far without it

This is not correct. DC far older than Y2 get EHCPs naming an independent school with TA provision in F. OP may have to appeal, but if it is reasonably required it is more than possible.