Moving from mainstream to special needs school.

[ST2409]

Hi,
My 4 year old is on spectrum although not formally diagnosed has quite extensive needs. Non verbal, still in nappies, lack of danger awareness, sensory issues. Etc.
because of his need he’s attends a mainstream school for 1hr a day with 1 to 1 support.
He already has EHCP.
He loves attending but I think in the long run a mainstream school is not going to work for him. He’s significantly behind his peers and unfortunately not making much progress.
I should have got him into a special needs school from the beginning but I did want to try a mainstream school and see if he had any chance of getting a formal education.

I really want to get the ball rolling on this. I emailed the senco this morning.
Has anyone been through a similar process?
how does it work? And is it a complicated process?

You are right, and 1 hr a day is clear evidence that his needs aren't being met in that school. What does his EHCP say about his needs? Are they accurately reflected? When is the review due as it should be within 6 months of issue as your child is under 5? You need to speak with your case officer ASAP and request an urgent review as you need to get things moving to ensure the right provision is in place for September.
We're in the process of moving our 4 year old from mainstream to a designated specialist unit at a different primary school, but he didn't have an EHCP when he started so the need for specialist provision has been identified as part of the EHCNA.
Good luck.

On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can send to the LA to request an early review.

Unfortunately, the LA doesn’t have to agree to an early review. If they refuse, you don’t get the right of appeal. If that happens you would need to either wait for the annual review or reassessment a reassessment of needs (which would have the right of appeal if refused).

Following a review meeting, if the LA refuses to amend you will get the right of appeal. If the LA does amend they will issue an amended draft within 4 weeks which you will be able to comment on and name your preferred placement. Then, the LA will finalise within a further 8 weeks. If they don’t name your preferred placement you will then be able to appeal. Sadly, many have to appeal.

Why is DS only attending school 1 hr a day? Is DS being informally excluded?
When does DS turn 5?
Is there provision detailed, specified and quantified in F DS isn’t receiving?

Good that you have an EHCP in place, but it's hard to get a SS place unless accurate challenges and needs are listed in there. I think you need to get as much advice as possible before you update the EHCP.

People who should be able to advise you on the provision at local SS, whether it will fit DS, and what the process is to apply include:

• School SENCO. if they agree with your conclusion then hopefully they will be helpful in supporting the paperwork.
• Have you had a sensory assessment done or spoken to an Ed Psych? We haven't but I think these can be really useful in specifically understanding what will help DS.
• The SS itself. if you have one in mind get in touch, speak to them about the kinds of provisions they have and whether they have children with a similar profile to DS already registered. They can advise on waiting lists and criteria, but note that they don't manage admissions.
• Your LA (1). In my district (West Sussex) the LA has a unit called 'SENDIAS' ('SEND Info Advisory Services') who I've been told to contact for advice on what provisions might be useful and available for our DD, and the feasibility/process for applying for a SS. See if yours has a similar service (the school SENCO should know about this).
• Your LA (2). West Sussex also has a service called SENAT ('SEN Assessment Team'). They are the ones who process the applications to SS and make decisions. They are the last step - you need to have all your other ducks in a row first.

Don’t trust the LA to provide you with accurate information. They will tell you what they want you to know and their, often unlawful, version of the law. Similarly, be careful with SENDIASS. Some are good, but far too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies. IPSEA and SOSSEN are better for accurate information on the law. Be cautious with trusting schools, too.

For example, many LAs, SENDIASS and SSs will tell you SS are full and have a waiting list. Unless the school is wholly independent, this isn’t actually the law. There are limited reasons the LA can refuse to name parental preference and being ‘full’ (which isn’t defined in law) is not enough on its own. The LA has to prove the school is so full admitting DC is incompatible, which is a higher bar than many LAs and schools admit. Waiting lists do not exist in the same way as they do for ordinary admissions to mainstream schools.

An EP assessment should have been done during the EHCNA. An OT assessment can also be part of it.