Sen schools question

[anxioussmess]

So I have a dilemma. My son is autistic, he’s 7 so currently in year 2 at mainstream and we started the process a couple months ago to find him a suitable sen school. He has an EHCP already.

today I got a call from a school saying they could possibly offer him a place for later this year, we are going to see it on Monday. I’ve heard it’s very good only thing is it’s 45 mins drive from us and I also have a young one in mainstream who won’t need to move

I know we will likely get transport provided (we are in London), however my mum is concerned about the distance and him being in a long cab or bus journey every day. If we like it Monday I want to say yes as I know these places coming up are like gold dust, however what if I’m making the wrong choice?

I guess my main question is, how easy is it to transfer from one sen school to another if needed? For example I know if moving mainstream it’s easy, but if my son isn’t happy at the new Sen school, then what? Does he easily transfer to another Sen school or what happens?

if anyone has any experience in this I’d be most grateful

When you say you started the process a couple of months ago, what do you actually mean?

45 minutes is the maximum recommended travel time for primary. Although some travel further.

If you want to pursue a move you would have to request an early review of the EHCP. However, there is no guarantee the LA would agree to an early review. If they refuse there is no right of appeal. You would either have to wait for the AR or request a reassessment of needs (which would come with the right of appeal if refused. There’s no guarantee a different school would be named following a reassessment of needs. And it isn’t the route I would go down.)

Following a review meeting, you will get the right of appeal if the LA maintain as is or amend but don’t name your preferred placement.

What I mean by starting the process, is that we had my sons ehcp review in May and stated that we would like the authority to start consulting with suitable Sen schools

with the rest of your message,. I’m sorry but I’m a bit confused so would u mind awfully breaking it down for me please and wording it in a “dummies format” (u know the yellow books, technology for dummies etc), as it’s proving hard for me to understand the process etc

basically to put it very simply, is it possible hr can move sen schools if wasn’t happy with current sen school, in the future

Is the LA sticking to the timescales following the AR? Have you had the amendment notice?

There isn’t a simple yes or no answer. You would be able to pursue a change of placement, but it may not be agreed.

If you wanted to pursue a placement you would have to:

1. Request an early review.
2. If they LA agree to an early review, before/during the review meeting you can raise wanting a move.
3. Within 4 weeks of the review meeting, the LA must inform you if they are going to amend or not.
4. If they don’t amend, you can appeal.
5. If they do amend, as part of that process you can state your preferred placement.
6. The LA must then finalise the amended EHCP within a further 8 weeks.
7. When they finalise, if they don’t name your preferred placement, you can appeal.

However, you may not get further number 1 on the list because the LA doesn’t have to agree to hold an early review. If that happens, you would need to wait for the annual review or request a reassessment of needs.

I assume LA are sticking to deadlines yes as the AR was in May and I’ve been offered to look around a school now in only July so I think that’s good?

But have you received the report following the AR? And the amendment notice?

Not yet I don’t think

The report should have been circulated within 2 weeks of the review meeting. Within 4 weeks of the review meeting the LA must inform you if they are going to amend or not and if they are send the amendment notice. The LA is in breach of the timescales. On their website, IPSEA. Has a model letter you can send to the LA.