The Education, Health and Care Plan Team have asked us to share the following update on actioning phased transfers in Shropshire.
“As you will be aware, the EHCP Team have a legal responsibility to review and amend an EHC Plan when a child transfers one from phase to another:
- early years education to school
- infant to junior school
- primary to middle school
- primary to secondary school
- middle to secondary school
- secondary school to a post 16 institution
This process must start within 12 months of a transfer to a new phase of education.
For those transferring from secondary school to a post-16 institution, the EHC plan must be reviewed and amended by 31 March in the year of transfer.
For all other phases of transfer, the deadline is 15 February in the year of transfer.
In Shropshire we have asked the phase transfer annual review for all but secondary to post 16, were completed before the October half term. We have had a considerable response to this request. If your child fits the above criteria and you are not aware that a phase transfer review has been convened, please contact your child’s setting and ask that they call the meeting.
We are working hard to manage the process and support the statutory timescales, manage parent carers and young people’s expectations, and those of the schools you have identified in your choice to us.
There are a number of consultations which have been sent out to schools which have not been responded to within the 15 days as set out in the SEND Regulations.
To comply with the law, schools need to reply to our consultation within 15 days. We are experiencing some delays in getting responses back.
The EHCP Team have well documented delays in our service offer, and we are sensitive to our schools in making this, but we strive every year to meet the deadline for the phase transfers particularly as we fully understand and empathise with the challenges this period has for all involved, not least our young people.”
Further information on phased transfers can be found here.
Where can we go for support?
SENDIASS– Shropshire SENDIASS provides free, impartial, and confidential support to parents and carers of children aged 0 to 25, as well as young people aged 16 to 25, who have or may have special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). Further information can be found here.
PACC Community Navigator Service– PACC’s Community Navigator Service offers personalised signposting and information provision for families of 0-25 years olds with SEND in Shropshire. Further information can be found here.
As part of PACC’s Information Provision, you can also find a list of useful websites and organisations here.
IPSEA– IPSEA are the leading charity in the field of SEND law in England, and we provide free and independent legal advice and support to families of children and young people with SEND. Further information can be found here.
Contact for families with disabled children– Contact offers UK-wide advice, support, and information for parents of disabled children. Further information can be found here.