Son unable to join colleges due to his complex EHCP

mabelparra

hi there , I’m a mum of 18 years old who has just received his EHCP , unfortunately is so complex that colleges are refusing it

Bluebell21

Hi @mabelparra Welcome to the Community. I am so sorry your son's EHCP is being refused by colleges.

Perhaps IPSEA would be able to help you.

https://www.ipsea.org.uk

Take care.

mabelparra

I’ll contact them thanks for your response

MissMel

There is also the option, and I don't know how it's done, for the student to have a completely independent educational programme at home where they are state funded i.e., he gets tutors, coaches etc., come to your home and work out a unique routine for him.

As I said, no idea how it is done, but I would try the contact given above and also ringing your local LEA adult social services and see if there is someone there in adult social services that deals with special educational needs. It is a really complicated system, but I hope your son gets some form of education as he is supposed to be supported until the age of 25.

mabelparra

hi Mel . Unfortunately they won’t offer EOTAS home tutors as the panel agreed that he’s needs can be met at streaming schools, but then college said that they can’t provide what is is on the plan , we have visited 4 colleges all with same answer, it is very sad to see the future of a bright boy being bounced like a ball one place to another, it is also very frustrating for him too

MissMel

Hi Mabel

Perhaps now that now you have had the rejections from all the colleges and proof that his needs can not be meet in schools, they will have to reconsider. Unfortunately, with SEND challenges it is like banging your head against a wall, but much more painful. You are always having to re-walk the same path and may or may not get the same answers. I would also consider writing to your MP and telling them that you have been denied EOTAS home tutors and you haven't got anywhere else to go and telling them about how awesome your son is.

Also, get the colleges to specify exactly what aspects of his needs are too complex for them to cater for and then you could see if extra funding is available in the form of say a helper being employed or equipment being bought.

I am really sorry you are going through this as I know it is very stressful having to do this and also having to deal with your son who is probably frustrated at not having an educational provision in place.

I hope the IPSEA is useful to you in this and you find away around this soon.

thedepressedexpresso

HI Mabel,

I went through a simular thing when I applied to my then local college in my area, for some reason I was constantly rejected, they used the excuse I was autistic and had complex mental health issues!!

I never decided to go back into education and I haven't been in education since I got rejected, I don't intend on doing so because it seems that public government colleges are very hostile towards people with LDs/who are autistic and/or have a diagnosis of a severe mental health problem.

I don't really have any advice, I just wanted to share my story so you don't think your alone in this situation.

Hope you eventually get somewhere suitable for your son to thrive in education :)

mabelparra

very frustrating. Can we actually enroll in a college and ignore the fact that there is a EHCP in place ? I mean atm he is fine he can attend college without problems , or do we have to use it even if is not helping? Thanks for responses guys very helpful