Transferring between stages of education if your child has an EHCP
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What is phase transfer?
When a child or young person moves from one stage of education to another, this is called a phase transfer. Phase transfers happens whenever a child or young person makes the following transitions in their educational journey:
- early years setting to school
- infant school to junior school
- primary to secondary school
- secondary school onto further education
What happens during phase transfer for children and young people with an EHCP?
Moving to a new school or further education setting is both an exciting and anxious experience for all children, young people, and their families. However, when your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the process can be particularly worrying as you may not be sure how a new setting will meet your child’s needs.
The local authority’s SEN Service is here to help. They will guide you through the transfer process and answer any questions you may have. When it comes time to think about moving on, the SEN Service will follow the processes below:
If your child is moving to or between schools…
- In the Summer one year before your child is due to start at a new school, the SEN Service will write to you and ask you which school you would like your child to attend.
- The SEN Service will begin liaising with your preferred school, and other schools in your area, to find out whether they will be able to meet your child’s needs.
- The SEN Service will write to you to let you know which school will be named in your child’s EHCP.
- Your child’s EHCP will be amended to name the new school. This must be done before 14th February in the year of transfer.
You have the right to appeal changes to your child’s EHCP which you do not agree with, including the naming of school by the local authority. For more information on the process for appeals, please click here.
If your child is moving from school onto further education…
- In the Summer one year before your child is due to move on to a further education, the SEN Service will write to you to ask which setting you would like your child to attend.
- The SEN Service will begin liaising with your preferred further education setting, and other settings in your area, to find out whether they will be able to meet your child’s needs.
- The SEN Service will write to you to let you know the outcome and which setting will be included in your child’s EHCP.
- Your child’s EHCP will be amended to reflect the new school / college. This must be done before 31st March in the year of transfer.
You have the right to appeal changes to your child’s EHCP which you do not agree with, including the naming of a further education setting by the local authority. For more information on the process for appeals, please click here.