09/03/2021
Parents or young people have a legal right to request that a particular school or college is named in an EHC plan (or to express a preference for an independent school, college or other institution).
Recently, we’ve been receiving an increasing number of helpline calls from families whose local authority (LA) are not following the correct law when a parent/young person asks to name a setting in an EHC plan.
Our guidance here explains the process of choosing a school or college when your child has an EHC plan, and includes a model letter for complaining when the LA will not consult with the school or college you request: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/choosing-a-school-with-an-ehc-plan
If the LA does not agree to a parent or young person’s request and names a different setting, this can also be appealed to the SEND Tribunal. You can read more about your rights, and how to bring an appeal on this issue, in our briefing here: https://www.ipsea.org.uk/appealing-against-the-school-or-other-setting-named-in-your-ehc-plan
