Possible SEND (Visual impairment) and looking for help

mr1

As mentioned in the heading, my eyesight is very poor and I believe this had an affect on my exams. I was never given any sen  support in school and I think it's because I was acheiving highly. I did acheive good GCSE results however this wasn't enough to get into a selective sixth form in the area. They give priority to EHCP students and I'm against this as of now because it simply takes too long, I wanted to know what I should do now? Is there such thing as a 'possible' or 'provisional' EHCP which would be enough for the sixth form? Or should I try getting a note/diagnosis from a professional and hope it's enough?

Albus_Scope

Hey @mr1 and firstly welcome to the community!

I'm sorry no one was able to offer any answers here, sometimes posts get missed when it gets busy.  Hopefully with me replying it'll give things a bump and a bit more visibility.  But I just wanted to see how you were getting on and if you still needed any support? 

MissKitty1973

Hey @mr1 not sure where you are in your educational journey but you can apply yourself for an EHCP yourself, there is a very good template on the IPSEA website, you don't need a diagnosis however any supporting evidence all helps with an EHCP application.  I am presuming you are over 16, you can also ask your parents to help you apply on your behalf.  Unfortunately it takes 20 weeks from start to finish if your LA decides to issue with an EHCP, if not you can take them to tribunal if they decide not to assess.  I applied for my son who has complex needs.  What supports are you looking for, extra time in exams, student support, scribe, reader etc.  If you start the EHCP process the LA will arrange the appropriate assessments such as OT/SALT/EP whose advice will contribute to writing up an EHCP.  I do not think there is anything as a temporary EHCP, if you are already in 6th form/college the college can apply to the LA on your behalf, however in all honesty I preferred doing my own request.  Are you under any consultants for your visual impairments, if so you could approach them and ask if they could write you a supporting letter stating that they are recommending due to your visual impairments that you have extra time/support in exams etc and how your visual impairment affects you.

AntonyTilt

HI  I have more than one disability, the one one here is eyesight the other I have already mentioned when I introduced myself on the Scope website.  I am an adult middle aged, I will stick to eyesight on here.   When I was growing up I went to a boarding school, this was back in the 60s and 70s with regard to my eyesight and found due to my other disability found it did not help because my other disability was not addressed.  Since I left school I have taken loads of exams and there is lots of help out there as an adult such as extra time for exams.  I am currently at the adult college locally taking an Access course to HE and this is my second time around in different subjects.  I am registered with my eyesight and mix with other people with similar situations . I was terrible at school and thinking back as an adult found it did not help but gained other interests outside the curiculum which I carried through into adulthood.