Help with EHCP appeal - going crazy
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Hello @SarahTB
Is she seen by a educational psychologist or not? What were the results? I’d probably change schools since it does not seem like the school is actively trying to meet her needs. This website lists special needs schools by category of impairment- https://www.specialneedsuk.org/
Take a look. I have previously used the website to search for a school that takes pupils with physical impairments only but I had very little success trying to find anything. There were no schools within Surrey that would meet my son’s needs or equip him with the tools to be independent either. I did find a few on that site but they were miles away in other parts of the country.
She has a right to a decent education like all children in this country. Also talk to a special needs lawyer. This is discrimination. Good luck! Keep us updated on the outcomes.
Don’t let them get away with it either. It is hard sometimes isn't it? I often tell people “Logan’s physical disability is never the issue, the system is”. We did visit a couple of mainstream schools within the area as well. I asked a few questions when I interviewed the Head but only received painfully vague responses. Stick to your guns. I could literally write a article on this topic myself. This is why we now homeschool.
That might also be a option.
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Hi April, she has been disenrolled from the previous school and is now expected to start the school the LA have named in her EHCP which I did not agree to. The school the LA chose have made no contact with me, I had to phone them a week before the summer holidays to find out what was going on, they said they received the notice but were going to appeal because they couldn’t meet her needs, they don’t even have a sensory room.
Getting a solicitor isn’t an option because of costs, I had to reduce my working hours because I needed to be there for my daughter because she hasn’t been in school. All we seem to do is struggle. It’s a continuous battle. She has been seen by an EP and the report is a mile long. The school the LA chose cannot meet her needs and she has nowhere to go now. The alternative learning programme she was on ended before the summer holidays because it was setup by the previous school. She’s pretty much just been left.
I found a school that was willing to take her but the LA refused point blank and told me that the school they chose was suitable, how they came to that conclusion is beyond me. I am so tired and exhausted from going back and forth. Even the mental health have disengaged because she needs other help which they can’t offer so I’m left on my own to deal with it. I'm sat now trying to finish this blasted court form and I'm going round and round in circles.
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I strongly recommend checking out that site @SarahTB. I too had a fair bit of trouble trying to find a school that was accepting children with physical impairments only in the town.
I called the council and asked them to recommend local schools with experience in working with physically disabled pupils. Turns out there are no such schools in the area. I almost gave up at that point.
Can you move or not? I was prepared to relocate to Guildford at one stage during my search when I had a brainwave. Show the school the report it may help. The newspapers might also be interested in your story. Sell it as a human rights piece to them. Can you contest their decision or not? -
Hi @SarahTB and a warm welcome to the community. I really sorry to hear that this is the case and that your daughter hasn't had the correct support implemented.
The below information may be useful:Support from outside school
Contact your local authority to find out if they have a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS). They can provide information and resources about educational needs.
Independent Parental Special Education Advice (IPSEA) gives free advice about education for people with special educational needs.
SNAP Cymru has information, advice and support for parents, children and young people in Wales who have, or may have, special educational needs.
I understand the importance of your daughter feeling comfortable about where she goes to school.
I also am tagging @melaniethorley who is our education advisor and might be able to advise something else!
Please do let me know if there is anything else we can do to help and please do keep us updated.
Scope -
How are you getting on @SarahTB ?
Scope
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