April 2024 - we are now 18 months into an EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) package. Had the first annual review, next annual review due July 2024.
Many Special Educational Needs (SEN) Autistic Spectrum Children (ASD) and children with complex and individual needs, can manage in a mainstream environment if reasonable adjustments are made, or they have the support of an Educational Healthcare Plan (EHCP).
For more information on EHCPs Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): Extra help - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
However, there are a number of other provisions that are available to support your child. These are what known as LA special schools, and Independent Specialist School. You can also choose to educate your child yourself, this is known as electively home educating or you can apply for EOTAS (education other than a school) through an EHCP.
Home schooling and ‘education otherwise’ | (IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
A good resource for help and support with education is IPSEA (IPSEA) Independent Provider of Special Education Advice
We are in the Midlands, and after Charlie was permanently excluded from two local mainstream schools, he was placed in a Pupil Referral Unit until we could find the correct provision for him. It was a painstaking experience that included many phone calls, long conversations with SENCOs and lots of visits to schools all over Derby, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Staffordshire to find a provision that would suit Charlie’s needs. I wrote a blog on Charlie’s journey Charlie's School Story. — Advocating For Charlie After registering an appeal with our LA, on placement and content of EHCP we were awarded a place at a local independent specialist school in July 2020. Unfortunately, due to the level of trauma from previous settings, Charlie was unable to attend and as a result has not attended the placement since June 2021.
And also a blog on tips for looking for an educational placement Tips when looking for a school. — Advocating For Charlie
PLEASE REMEMBER TO ALWAYS CHECK THE MOST RECENT OFSTED REPORT FOR INDEPENDENT REGULATATED INFORMATION ON THE SCHOOL.