Moving area with an EHCP

[LBmummy23]

Hello everyone. We have recently moved LA and have been allocated a case worker but she is not responding. Our daughter is year 8 and has an ehcp and we are wanting her in a school within the new area asap.
she is still attending her school in the old area but it is too far for her and us to keep travelling. We have sent the caseworker in the new LA several messages about this but she is still not responding. We only had her annual review last month and the echp is all updated so would think it was as simple as just transferring it over to the new LA but maybe I’m wrong.
By us continuing to take her to her school in the old area do you think this is what’s delaying the new LA consulting with the school in the new area that we want her to go to? Any advice on how to push this to happen quicker? She is getting so distressed with all of the travelling and it is causing so much distress at home.

If the caseworker is ignoring you, email the Director of Children’s Services.

The new LA must inform you the EHCP has transferred, when they will review the EHCP and if they propose to reassess. The new LA must review the EHCP within 12 months of the last AR or 3 months of transfer, whichever is later. In the meantime, if it is no longer practicable for DD to attend the current school, the LA has a duty to provide education. If it is no longer practicable, have you told the LA this? If the only issue was you providing transport, you could request transport.

Hello yes we have told the LA that it is no longer practical for her to be in a school out of area but they just aren’t responding to our emails or phone calls. So frustrating!! She also wants to be in a school in the new LA and doesn’t want to be in the named school. It is causing so much distress at home. It’s a shame that we have to complain to those above before these caseworkers listen :(

Email the Director of Children’s Services. Inform them DD is unable to continue attending the current placement because it is not practical and they need to make alternative arrangements.

Thank you very much. There is only one school we want her to go to which is another mainstream school. Do you know what the chances are of them only consulting with that one school or will they make us consult with others too?

The LA may well consult with other schools as well, especially if the LA believe your preferred school isn’t the nearest suitable school. However, there are limited circumstances where the LA can lawfully refuse to name your preferred school.

Hi all another question about this post. The school in the area we want DD to attend now has her ehcp sent to them by the case worker. Will the school normally be in touch with me whilst they are deciding if they can meet need? Hoping they will have a discussion with me about it before they go back to the LA with their decision

If you want to discuss DD with the school before they reply to the LA, you should contact the school. Many don’t contact parents before replying to consultations.