Hi
We have just had a draft EHCP come through in July for my autistic son. He is 10 years old and was managing fine in primary school where he was in till July 2022. He moved to Middle School in September 2022 and he has had 3 exclusions since then. Since November he's been on a reduced timetable where he only goes into school two hours a week.
However, the council are currently funding alternative provision for him where he is being home tutored. He is doing well with this and I have been told he is very academically able and a joy to teach.
The report by his current school in the appendices of the draft ehcp raised alot of behaviour concerns and section b has used the wording from this here. The la have agreed to fund an independent school for him as he needs a school where he can stay till 18 and a smaller setting like in primary.
The la have sent applications to 3 independent schools and all 3 have rejected saying they can't meet need due to behaviour mentioned in his current schools report.
I'm at my wits end with worry as this whole process has been exhausting.
Shall I try and challenge the ehcp so it can be changed before it's sent to any more schools? I've asked the la to remove the appendices with the schools report and to take out certain sentences from section b. They have said they can't as this affects section k. Shall I take this to tribunal?
Or shall I push for a special needs school and can they reject him too saying "they can't meet need"
Any advice would really be appreciated as I don't know who to turn to for help.