Move to London/Surrey for asd unit/school

[want2sleep]

Would you do it? Move 300 miles??

Ds although very young still (5), I can see that mainstream is going to be tough esp bullying etc

Trying to get a placement at a asd unit in mainstream secondry level is going to be tough.

I am going to visit a couple of schools in London and Surrey over next few months.

What is provision like primary and secondry level for asd down this way? Does it involve a tribunal like where I am?

Would I be jumping from frying pan to fire?

Hi, I am in London. Provision varies vastly between boroughs - remember that a school in the next borough will be treated as 'out of county', so check the boundaries carefully.

Our borough has one ASD unit, but it is aimed at more severe children than DS and they didn't want to deal with his behaviour, so we are still having to look at a residential placement. There are three primary ASD units here. But the borough next door has no units at all.

If you are looking at LA provision in a unit, it's possible that you could get a place without a tribunal, if you already have a statement. But there are only three places per year, so not everyone whose child has gone to a primary unit would get a place in the secondary unit. There are some good special schools here too, for mixed disabilities but mostly ASD/MLD.

Thanks SugarcandyM

How do I find out what the boundries are?

Was thinking of moving to Sutton area...anyone know what schools is covered by this area ...or where I find out?

Is their a 'friendly' LEA

DirectGov website has a search feature. I don't know if it covers non-maintained provision as well.

The NAS Autism Services Directory is quite good for getting basic info on ASD provision, like what kind of teaching approach is used.

thanks sugarcandyM

I will use a toothcomb

I have moved to get ds3 better schooling options .ironic the new lea agreed to speech unit without quibble but unit now saying yes ds primary need is speech but there not sure on if they can meet his pd yet I made them aware when I saw the school.

Sp Phoenix you have not regretted this move then...what difference though from no placement for your ds3 to yes no prob...well done you! It's ike the bl@@@y nhs postcode too! You must be relieved to know the help will be given now.

I'll be moving from another country not county so will be big change but I'd move to Aussie if I had too!

No not the move .have better house for ds no bloody stairs!! And he can fulfill his train obession all he likes without leaving home. Lea is good so far but school are wanting more money as ds wil need extra help due to pd now got to wait for meeti g with school and lea further complicated as it's a out of area placement .

Thats great house is better etc...hope school funding is sort asap for your ds...thanks for your replies