funding for independent schools

[dilligaf]

Has anyone had any experience of the LEA funding a place at a private special school? There is a very good independent school near us that specialises in Dyspraxia/Dyslexia and the behaviour issues that sometimes go hand in hand with those. It is fairly pricey but I feel that it would be the best option for my ds(6). Also he would need transport. Do LEAs ever go for this option? He is currently being assessed for a statement.

Im trying this route to and have been told that some LEA's go for this option, however our LEA will not....well not yet anyway!!!!

Whereabouts are you? I am in Dorset which doesnt have the best reputation for special needs provision so I think I might have an uphill struggle on my hands. Any advice would be welcome. Have you had any response at all from your LEA.

Some LEAs do this - I know that Berkshire does.

Why don't you ask the school and tackle it from that direction?

Many if not all LEA's purchase 'special need' places at independent special schools - it very much depends on the individual need of the child and what provison is available at LEA special schools etc.

Funding a place at an independent special school usually is a very expensive option for a LEA, and most would prefer not to have to go down this route unless absolutely necessary.

I think you should hang fire until the outcome of statementing and then enter into dialogue with the LEA officer concerned about the best option for your child - funding shouldn't really be the deciding factor - but lets live in the real world (unfortunately).

I think that a lot of special schools are technically private, e.g. all the NAS schools, and LEAs purchase places at them (works similarly with Soc Svs and residential provision for older people). The schools have to pitch the cost per place at a level that LEAs find acceptable or can be very expensive if its is very specialised and/ or residential etc. This is not the same as paying for support etc in a private m/s school though.... don't know about that, tricky I would think.

Hi dilligaf, there is an excellent very small independent school near us (Hove), when we went to register dd and ds there they told us that the LEA have been fully funding an AS child who had a statement (30 hours p/w) This school is very well set up for special needs and the SENCO seems to know her stuff. Extra one to one support is available at a small extra cost. Most of the children are NT but there are adhd/add/dysprxia/dyslexic children there.
A word of caution though we have since heard that the LEA are now trying to remove the funding for the AS boy because he is coping so well in his new environment!
I would surmise your LEA would only consider this if your child was statemented for the max 30 hours and that the LEA would not have to fund those hours as well as the cost of the school.

Thanks Monica2 thats very encouraging. We could pay some of the costs if LEA made a contribution. Its annoying that there is no system to claim back the cost of the state place if its not suitable for your child. I am not talking about doing it on a whim but only if the LEA agree that it would be in the childs interests.