Son undergoing ech assessment again

Diana50 · January 2017

My son whos 11 has cognitive severe delay and complex needs . He recently started mainstream but hes struggling massively even with support. i want him to be in special school so hes with others like him and hed benefit from the specialist support. Hes currently under 2nd ech assessment but I need advice on how to win this for him as county council are useless as it costs too much .

[Deleted User] · January 2017

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Sam_Scope · January 2017

@EducationalPsychologist do you have any ideas?

CIMTuk · January 2017

Hi @Diana50 and @mumof3boys the problem is that the local authority is often reluctant to place a child in a SEN school. This is due to limited places available to them and also the cost of placing the child in an SEN vs mainstream. Even if you child have an EHC Plan (old statement) the local authority obligation is to provide 'adequate provision' to meet his needs. In order for the local authority to move a child it would have to be show that the mainstream school is no longer able to meet your child needs, Now if the school is saying to you that they are unable to meet his needs then you have a strong case for a move, If the school feel they are able to meet your sons needs then you will have a fight on your hands to arrange a transfer.

[Deleted User] · January 2017

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CIMTuk · January 2017

Hi @mumof3boys yes, it can often be hard to get a statement. Statements have now been replaced by Education, Health and Care plans (EHC plan). The requirement to get an EHC plan is that the school must be spending over £6k on a child with SEN than a child without SEN. This means that some children with autism do not qualify for an EHC plan.

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Maxianne · January 2017

Hi @Diana50
There should be an Independent support service in your area they will support you through the EHC process, help filling in your part of the paperwork, attending the planning meeting with you and reading through the draft plan once it is issued. If the school are saying they are spending more than the 6k then they should be willing to support you by filling in their part of the plan, this will help your case when the LA assess the application.

Diana50 · January 2017

my sons having above 10hrs with support and its still not enough in fact school cant set him any challenging work he just cant do it but theyve supported ech .

EducationalPsychologist · February 2017

Hi Diana50,
Have you contacted IPSEA?

Son undergoing ech assessment again

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