Seeking Advice on SEN Support in Orpington

[mookbo]

Hi everyone,

I hope you’re all doing well! I’m reaching out for some advice as my family is relocating from overseas to Orpington in Bromley soon because of my DH’s job. We have a 4.5-year-old daughter who has been diagnosed with genetic epilepsy and some learning difficulties.

Our first step once we move is to secure an EHCP, but I’ve heard that the process can be quite lengthy. We’re a bit concerned that our DH may need to start in a mainstream school before a final decision is made on the EHCP, especially since securing a spot in a special school in Bromley like Riverside School might not be approved by the Local Authority. So, we’re looking for a mainstream school with a Special Resource Provision (SRP) for children with complex medical needs.

We are considering Tubbenden Primary School and Crofton Junior School, as they seem to have ARP programs for students with complex medical needs. While I’m reaching out to the council and schools' SENCOs for more details, I’d really appreciate any experiences from other parents. If you’ve had experiences with these schools or can recommend others in the Orpington area, I’d be very grateful!

Also, has anyone dealt with Bromley Council regarding EHCPs? I’ve heard it can be a bit of a postcode lottery. If Bromley isn’t great, we might look into nearby areas like Kent (which I’ve heard isn’t the best), Sutton, or Surrey. Any thoughts on that would be really helpful!

Thanks so much for your help!

If you have the choice, don’t move to Kent and Surrey. They are difficult LAs to deal with. Bromley isn’t brilliant, no LA is at the moment, but it is better than Kent or Surrey.

If you don’t have to appeal, the EHCP process takes 20 weeks. LAs try to breach this timescale, but enforcement action can be taken. Unfortunately, many do have to appeal, some more than once, and appeals are taking a long time at the moment.

While the LA has the power to place in a special school or ARP without a finalised EHCP, it isn’t likely in the current climate, I’m afraid. From the term after DD’s 5th birthday the LA has a duty to ensure DD receives a suitable, full-time education, so if mainstream isn’t suitable they will have to provide alternative arrangements but that won’t necessarily be via a SS or ARP place.