ESCC is it really this bad?

[lilmishap]

Son has serious developmental delays (5-7yrs he has just turned ten) tic disorder (looking more like tourettes as time passes does include hurting himself), he is not able to dress himself or follow instructions, will NOT be able to navigate changing classes and moving around the school.

I've been told to start thinking about mainstream secondary and have kicked off as his school were supposed to be gathering evidence for an EHCP, I've been told THEY ARE NOT GRANTING EHCPs RIGHT NOW. The school is happy to support my application but they are clear he will not get one.

We've been waiting years/ Has anyone else been told that it doesn't matter if your kid needs one, they are not granting them?

How is this even possible? Am i being lied to or is this really the situation in ESCC? Please share experiences because I will kick up a stink if it will work but I'm being told it won't

Request an EHCNA yourself. You may have to appeal but the law hasn’t changed.

Councils are not allowed to blanket refuse to issue EHCPs, you can ask yourself as it sounds like the school don't really want to. My son has an EHCP and is in year 5, we are looking at units for him as there's no way he will cope in secondary school.

I think your school are bullshitting you or have gotten their facts wrong. You can request an EHCP yourself and you should ask the school for evidence.

It really baffles me why schools don't support parents with this.

Do you receive DLA and have a diagnosis. SOS SEN, IPSEA, Special Needs Jungle and your local SENDIAS may be able to help. Look at their sites.

PM me if you like, although I'm no expert just have my own experience.

Be careful with SENDIASS. Some are good, but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies.

Sorry for not replying, it's been a whirlwind.
I've applied myself and got a rejection for assessment.

The school are saying the language used indicates they are expecting an appeal. The school are saying it's one of the most positive rejections they've dealt with??
The rejection does seem focused on 'at this time' BUT it also states that the school has not made any effort, they are recommending a 'Way Forward' meeting.
The reports the school included have honestly devastated me, I knew he was struggling but didn't realise how much.

EVERY school report (teachers, SENCO, TA AND HEADMASTER) the SALT reports and the EP report state (the same as I have) he will not be able to navigate a schoold building without a chaperone as his communication needs mean he cannot follow directions and he will likely end up hiding when the 'herd' has dispersed between classes and he realises he is lost.

That is just ONE thing, how is a secondary mainstream possible?

Just appeal.

Don’t bother with a Way Forward meeting. They are a way of fobbing parents off and putting them off appealing.

Hi. I second @StrivingForSleep suggestion to go straight to appeal.
I’ve recently been through the appeals process with ESCC. It Appears they say no to everything, no matter how much evidence you provide, I know this via SEN mum friends I’ve made and from the legal advice I’ve received.
They face no consequences by refusing requests and will only provide extra support when forced to by tribunal.

For context I was requesting a special school placement as DS could no longer cope with mainstream (already had EHCP). I had three professional reports agreeing this as well as support from the mainstream who had tried everything possible to meet needs. It felt like all of the responses were “computer says no”
Just appeal, overwhelming majority of parents win at appeal.

Thank you.
We're awaiting a DLA decision but I was told that doesn't affect this. I don't know what to believe at this point, it does feel the pessimistic responses are the right ones. It's jarring how quickly I've started feeling hopeless after keeping my head up all these years.
Here we go again I s'pose.

The DLA application won’t affect the refusal to assess appeal.