Requesting a specialist placement

In some cases, your child’s school may say they cannot meet your child's needs. Or you may feel that the school is not meeting your child's needs and that a specialist setting is necessary. The school special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) can support you in finding the best type of school or provision for your child. 

When can I ask for a particular school or type of school?

Parent/carers can request special school placement at:

• the EHCP annual review
• following the issuing of the draft EHCP

Sometimes, parents may ask for a specialist placement outside of these times. In this case, the school should set up an early review and follow the referral process.  

What happens after I make a request?

If the school is a special school or a specialist resourced provision school:

• the current school will complete a specialist admissions referral form - this will be sent to the local authority
• the Specialist Provision Panel will consider the referral
  • this panel is held monthly and following the panel
  • a decision letter will be sent out

If specialist placement is agreed, we will send consultation papers to the recommended school or setting. They do this to see if the school can meet your child’s needs as stated in the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). The school will have 15 days to respond.  

You can find more information in the SEND Admissions Guidance for Specialist Provisions in Cumberland for children and young people with an EHCP. This document gives full details of the process. It lists the criteria the SEND Provision Panel will look at when they receive a request. 

You can also get support from the SEND Information, Advice and Support (SENDIAS) Service. Their advice is impartial and independent.