If your child has SEND but does not have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), then you should follow the usual admissions process.
To be offered a place at a specialist provision, a young person must have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This is because they fall outside of the usual admissions process.
If you are going through the EHC needs assessment process, then you should still follow the usual admissions process alongside this in case a plan is not agreed.
What to consider when choosing a school and how to apply
If you are applying for your child to start primary, junior or secondary school for the first time, you can find all the information you need to consider, including national deadlines, online application portal and school admission information for Leicestershire schools on the Leicestershire County Council School admissions website.
If your child is at a school, but you wish to change schools, you’ll need to apply for a school transfer. Information for moving schools in Leicestershire is on the Leicestershire County Council website; Apply to move school
Before applying we would also advise you to visit the schools you are interested in to make sure that you think they are suitable. We can help you to prepare for a school visit
You should also think about how your child might travel to and from school and whether you would be eligible for any help with home to school transport.
Schools and their admission criteria, will a school admit my child based on their SEND
School places are offered according to the admission criteria listed in the school’s admission policy. Across Leicestershire there are lots of different admissions policies, so you will need to check the school’s policy to see what their criteria are.
All Leicestershire schools are inclusive and expected to meet needs for all children with low level SEND and also the majority of complex SEND, medical and mobility needs. Some Leicestershire schools do offer an admission priority if that school is the only school that can meet a child’s exceptional SEN, medical or mobility needs.
If you think this applies to your child, check the school offers these criteria and if so, you’ll need to submit extra information when you apply that shows:
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the support your child requires due to their specific needs
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why only that specific school can provide that support
You’ll need supporting evidence from a professional and the school will then decide if your child meets their criteria or not.
All schools should be able to provide support for children with mild to medium SEN support needs. i.e. If a child has learning needs and requires extra support from a Teaching Assistant, the school should provide support in class when needed.
The Leicestershire County Council have produced SEND standards for each type of educational setting. These guides explain how SEND support should be delivered.
SEND-Schools-standards-Guide-for-parents
SEND-FE-standards-Guide-for-parents
SEND-EY-standards-Guide-for-parents
Also, all schools should be able to provide support to children with their medical needs such as insulin injections or putting on cream.
What do I need to do if I want a specialist placement
If your child has an EHCP, then the usual admissions process no longer applies (although we suggest still applying for your nearest catchment school through the Leicestershire County Council admissions if your child is transitioning through a phase of education to ensure at least your child will be on roll at a local mainstream school , just in case you do not get your choice of school).You can request a school or setting as part of the EHCP process and the local authority will name one in section I of a finalised plan.
If you are wanting a change of placement then this can be discussed at the next EHCP review meeting.
If your child does not have an EHCP, then you will need to apply for an EHC needs assessment .You should still follow the usual admissions process in the meantime, as it is a 20-week process as an assessment or plan is not guaranteed.
Disclaimer
Whilst we hope that you find these resources helpful, the information in this section is not endorsed by Leicestershire SENDIASS and we're not responsible for the content of sites or services offered by third parties.