EHCP & Home Education

bearfamily

Hi there,

I'm just curious to see if anyone has any experience getting an EHCP for a home-educated child? My son has ADHD and high-functioning ASD, no matter who I ask or what Google searches I do, I can't find any guidance on what to expect from an EHCP in this circumstance.

Thank you.

chiarieds

Hi @bearfamily - IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) may be a good resource to try: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/    they also have a helpline open Wed & Fri as well as an Advice line which you can see here: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/Pages/Category/service-overview

bearfamily

Hi @chiarieds,

I have tried to get in contact with IPSEA numerous times over a number of weeks but I can never get hold of them and/or never receive a reply.

L_Volunteer

Hi @bearfamily. I can fully empathise with the lack of search results matching your circumstances.

In a lot of cases, the EHCP process is supported by educational settings so would have less emphasis on children who are home-schooled. However, without the support of educational settings, you can approach your local authority for an assessment.

It just means you will have less support with the process (and particularly the paperwork), unfortunately. How do you feel about the idea of reaching out to your local authority at the moment? 

bearfamily

Hi @L_Volunteer,

We are already going through the process of an EHCP, so my query had more to do with outcomes. 

What recommendations have people had for a home-educated child in their EHCP, were the recommendations attainable as a home school parent, etc.,

Thank you

L_Volunteer

Ah, I see @bearfamily. Thank you for clarifying. Generally, you should be eligible for a "personal budget" whereby you can receive direct payments and control where those funds are provided. This is instead of a school being provided with those funds. Quite a lot of people seek private services etc (to meet those needs and outcomes) but this would be within your control - I am sure you know what is best for your son (you sound like a great advocate)

MissKitty1973

@bearfamily not sure what you are meaning by outcomes/recommendations, as a home educator you are not legally responsible for provision in section F, only meeting needs in section B.  Recommendations for provision to formulate the plan will come from professional reports such as Educational Psychologist/OT/Speech and Language Therapist etc. 

I home educated my young person from the age of 8, he is now 16, however I can no longer educate him myself due to his complex needs and requiring specialist input such as Preparing For Adulthood etc, support from OT and SALT we had professional reports which stated he would not be able to return to mainstream college, all colleges could not meet his needs regardless so it was recommended by the EP he would require a bespoke curriculum, we managed to obtain EOTAS (Education other Than in a School or College Setting) some of the provision which has been recommended is specialist tutors working 1-1 within the home, Mindjam which are an online mentoring working with young people/children who have anxiety etc through gaming, and provision at an animal care farm and preparing for adulthood activities etc which can be anything. 

My son's EHCP is tailored around his interests.  The LA have eventually agreed to fund all of the above provision themselves so I do not have a personal budget as the LA are now responsible for his education as I am not electively home educating him now.  Depending on your LA will depend on how hard it will be fight to get a personal budget it is not impossible for home educators to be awarded a personal budget but be warned you cannot appeal at tribunal for a personal budget, you can only appeal sections b, f and i.  Hope that helps a little.