Choosing a Setting
Throughout a child/young person's education, there will be decisions to be made about which setting they attend.
At each of these stages, families have the opportunity to state a preference for the setting that they would ideally like. In order to make a preference, the best starting point is to think about your child's needs and how they support it. To help you consider this, it's useful to visit some settings to get an idea of what they offer - whilst settings are expected to follow the SEND Code of Practice, there will be differences in the way they do this.
There is also a difference in the way that you apply for a place.
Without an Education Health and Care Plan
With an Education, Health and Care Plan
If your child/young person has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the final plan will state the setting they will attend in Section I. Therefore, all decisions about settings will be made alongside the Education, Health and Care Plan co-ordinator from the Local Authority.
Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment
If you are in the process of an EHC needs assessment, it is best to follow the normal process for This will form part of the EHC needs assessment process - parent/carers, or a young person if they are over 16, will be asked for a preference of setting when a draft EHCP is prepared. Any preference must be consulted with by the Local Authority to determine if the setting is suitable.