Any positive EHCP timeline messages pls

[mumzof4x]

Just that really. DD is in Yr 11. Autism diagnosis and undergoing ADHD assessment .
Currently on reduced timetable, 1:1 support am and pm at school and when needed throughout the day with multiple episodes of “missing” when hiding in a cupboard or the toilet (always does her work in there btw)
HAS EHCP on her timetable when she’s not in the lesson she’s been allowed to drop even through there never has been a formal EHPC
Under multiple services (Intensive support, Dynamic Support, Clinical Psychologist, Psychiatrist , CAMHS ETC)
School have always said she’s not complex enough for an EHCP
When I challenged this; when I asked what complex looked like I was told: “well she’s not in care or homeless”! Enough said on that front.
Anyway dd very much wants to engage and wants an education. Her main issue is debilitating anxiety and masking. She wants to go to 6th form at this school because it’s familiar and it’s her routine.
They have been reminding us for the last 12 months that there is absolutely no SEND provision for 6th formers what so ever (I know it’s bollox but thats the actual wording they have used)
They have also strongly implied she won’t meet the required 5 GCSE’s to get in.
In the background at home dd is squirrelling away trying her best to pass her exams. She already got her English Lang and is having tuition at home for Maths and English lit.
Theyve said even if she does get into 6th form, she will not have access to the room she’s allowed to go to now and there will be no named or allocated person to go to for support post 16.
Dd wants to do a BTEC and just one A level (not 2) allowing her extra time to reduce her anxiety levels and regulate in between classes. It will also reduce overwhelm with her actual work as she’s not academic.
So …. with the support of many agencies involved in her care I am putting in an application for an EHPC tomorrow …. it’s almost complete.
Again the school advised there was no such thing after 16 (she’s not 16 until June), however I’ve since found out it can support her until 25 and she does want to go to uni so would potentially very very helpful.
I keep reading stories of appeals and tribunals applications taking months / years. Im thinking even if we did get an EHPC it’s not going to be agreed until well after dd’s in year 12 anyway so we can’t approach the school on results day with this in hand.
I just wondered do many people actually have a smooth application process with an EHPC agreed fairly quickly?
Is there any chance at all this could be agreed before September?
TIA and sorry for long post x

Some do get an EHCP within the statuary 20 weeks. However, many do not. Some have to appeal at least once, sometimes more than once. Even if you don’t have to appeal, LAs often think the statutory timescales don’t apply to them. When this happens, parents can force them to act, but it still adds time.

EHCPs do not support DC in higher education. They can remain in place until 25, or 26 in some circumstances, but they cease if the YP begins a course that is level 4 or higher. At university, support is provided via the higher education institution and DSA.

Because of the 16-19 funding regulations, without an EHCP, many post 16 placements will not allow DC to do a BTEC and one A level if the BTEC is only equivalent to 1 A level.

If DD is not academic and will struggle to get 5 GCSEs (do you mean 5 GCSEs at a certain grade, e.g. 5 GCSEs at 4+?) do you think A level is the right route? They are a big step up? If DD won’t get 5 GCSEs at 4+ is level 3 study right for her? Or would she be better starting at level 2?

If DD can’t attend school full-time, is alternative provision in place?

Thanks for your reply @2x4greenbrick
DD should get some GCSE’s and already has her English but I’m not so sure she will get the required 4+ in the required 5 to gain entry to 6th form.

She already has a reduced timetable yes and a great deal of SEN provision at school.
Without an EHPC though my concern is the school have advised absolutely no SEN support is available at 6th form so she will go from having a robust and full plan in place to nothing.
She wants to remain in education but will not manage the transition to a new establishment yet or so she feels at the moment.
She wants to do a BTEC in Health and Social Care along with Photography and possibly either Media Studies or Sociology if she needs to pick a third
She may suprise herself and pass with 4+s in another 4 subjects but I think the EHPC will protect and formalise her SEN needs in education
I have to disagree with you re the EHPC not supporting her in uni - only because I have met with another parent (an inspiration for me ) and her son has a masters in Art and attended Uni with a an EHPC inc. 1:1 throughout?

I know DD is already on a reduced timetable, but is alternative provision in place?

If DD will struggle to get 5 GCSEs at 4+, she is likely to struggle with level 3 study. Even with an EHCP, the LA may not name the current placement, especially if the sixth form only offers level 3 study. There are some exceptions to naming parental/YP’s preference and the LA may well try to rely on one of these. And even if they name the placement, that doesn’t guarantee DD the courses she wants.

School sixth forms must still make reasonable adjustments and make their best endeavours, but without an EHCP, support is more limited.

Disagree all you want. EHCPs do not apply if the YP is studying at university. See this IPSEA page and this SOSSEN page.