EHCP declined!!

juliehall

Hi, my grandson is awaiting a scan to confirm CP although working diagnosis has always been evolving CP. He will be 3 next month, in nursery where he has standing frame, brillio seat and a walking frame. He can sit cross legged independently, roll and just about beginning to do an army type crawl, at great effort. He has had an EHCP assessment which resulted in it being declined, this has been appealed and again today denied. He has "no educational needs". He's a bright lad with excellent speech and can make his needs known clearly. Our concern is once he is mainstream, who will help him physically? Who can help him get in to the aids that help him stand/sit, pick up a pencil he drops, take him to the toilet. If he is unable to access equipment then surely eventually this will impact on his educational needs. We are worried he will fall between the cracks. Is there support out there when the problems are physical only. OT and physio will obviously still be supporting him but a classroom with 1 teacher won't be in a position to give all the physical support he needs. Has anyone experience of similar??

Thank you

Julie

MS_TAS

maybe approach the school that it’s planned for him to attend and ask how this is normally carried out - there maybe classroom assistants that are brought in for such things - often they have dealt before with these issues & can advise you on how to approach the subject with his current care provider ( nursery / kindergarten)

juliehall

Thank you, we will be hearing soon if he has a place at the school of choice, they are aware of his physical disabilities so will definitely discuss.

Mary_Scope

Hi @juliehall

MS_TAS has given some great advice as the school may already be able to support for your grandchild through inclusive and accessible environments they may already have so it's definitely worth a chat with them

You can usually apply for an EHCP at a later date as unfortunately, it is often not unusual for an EHCP application to be turned down on the first attempt especially for very young children.

Once your grandson is in school, if the school or yourselves feel like he still needs additional support, you will be able to collect further evidence from school which will strengthen the application!

We have a brilliant CP network here on the community who may be able to give more specialist information and advice so I will tag them in this now @Richard_Scope @SaraC_Scope @Lucy_Scope

Hopefully you hear back from the school of choice soon and ease some anxieties!

I hope this was helpful, if you would like any further support or information please reach out 😄

juliehall

Thank you so much, it's all a bit overwhelming when he's starting his journey. I think the support on here will be very helpful.

SaraC_Scope

Hi @juliehall

Thank you for getting in touch and welcome to the community. It's so hard when an EHCP is declined because they feel a child doesn't have additional academic needs. However I understand from personal experience, physical needs are just as important. As you've described a child with cerebral palsy or any physical disability might need support moving around the school. going to the toilet and picking up equipment. It's essential we raise awareness of these needs as early as possible.

I agree with the previous comments about having a conversation with his school before he starts. They should create a personal care plan and have reasonable adjustments in place. Mary mentioned returning to the EHCP again. I'm wondering if IPSEA the educational specialists could offer advice and support. Action CP are a good organisation for supporting families of children with CP as well.

I've included the links to Scope Families of children with CP and Cerebral Palsy UK These are really helpful Facebook pages where parents connect and support each other.

Best wishes

juliehall

I'll take a look at those links, thank you so much.