There are maybe various reasons why your child or young person might not be able to attend school. If you are experiencing this, please contact your SEND case officer to discuss the circumstances and they will support you to ensure your child is able to access their school, or make arrangements for alternative provision, if appropriate.

The local authority has a duty to ensure all children and young people have access to a suitable education. If they are unable to attend school due to medical reasons, the local authority must secure suitable alternative provision. Alternative provision can take different forms and will depend on the needs of your child or young person, their interests and your views too.

If my child has an EHCPEHCPA legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how that help will support the child or young person to achieve what they want to in their life. and does not attend school what happens to the funds?

This again will depend on the circumstances for them not being able to attend and your SEND case officer will assist you.  If everyone is in agreement that the school placement needs to end, then the funding for the placement will cease accordingly. 

If the placement is ongoing then the local authority will work with the setting to agree what will happen with the funding.  Funding is agreed in accordance with the setting your child or young person attends, so does not go with a child if they move to a different placement.  New funding would need to be agreed with their new placement or provision instead.

Will I be fined if my child can’t attend school due to mental health?

You will not be fined if your child cannot attend due to mental health difficulties. The local authority would work with you to gather the views of the professionals involved, such as your GP and any other health services, social care and education practitioners.

If your child or young person does not have an EHCPEHCPA legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how that help will support the child or young person to achieve what they want to in their life., then you would be supported by BCP Council Inclusion service. If they do have an EHCPEHCPA legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how that help will support the child or young person to achieve what they want to in their life., your SEND case officer will provide support and an annual review may be required. They may also liaise with the inclusion service. The focus of this support would be to ensure appropriate education provision is in place promptly.