How can I request a special school/provision?

A special school / provision placement can be requested during an EHC Needs assessment (following the issue of a draft EHCP) or during the annual review of an EHCP. All requests are considered by a multi-agency panel and the SEND Team will also send consultation letters to the requested setting, following which they have 15 days to inform the Local Authority whether or not they are able to meet the child/young person’s special educational needs and why.

At times, the SEND Team may receive more requests for specialist placements than the number of places that are available. In this case, the SEND Team monitor a waiting list for each specialist setting and review this termly via a Special School Panel. We will also work closely with the child/young person’s current setting to ensure that their special educational needs are being met.