DS5 is 9 and in year 5. He has autism, we knew from birth but he was diagnosed in 2020 when he was 6. School applied for an ehcp for him this year and the LA have refused to assess. the LA said it was because they think that the school can manage on their own without any extra support.
I read through the application the school did and it was brilliant. The only thing that wasn't good was they included his diagnosis letter (which they probably have to) and that was a bit rubbish, saying he has "autism with low level of need" which I don't personally agree with. He is cognitively able but he will eat non food items at school, he can't be trusted with scissors as he will cut his clothes, hair and eyelashes. He doesn't do any work unless an adult sits with him one to one. He has to hold an adult's hand when walking around school. He has to have constant supervision or he will do something dangerous. Last week he got himself wedged in between 2 pieces of wood at school. He can't go to secondary school without support, he wouldn't be safe.
We have mediation booked for during half term via video call. I don't know what to say. Everything that I could have said and more went in the application. I just don't get how they can refuse to assess him to be honest.
Does anyone have any advice?