Moving to a new local authority
Moving to a new house can be a stressful time, but when you have a child with special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) you will have extra things to consider.
If you are planning to move into or out of the area and your child has an education health and care plan (EHCP), you may want to know how you will get a new education placement or school named in your child’s EHCP. You may also need to find what services are available to you and your child before moving.
My child has additional needs and I am moving into Telford & Wrekin
If your child has additional needs that require additional support at school, you should begin by looking at the education choices available to find out the schools available in Telford & Wrekin.
You can search for schools in our online directory
Before deciding on your child’s school choice, check the SEN information report that is availible on every school’s website, showing how they support children with special educational needs. You can also contact the school and arrange a visit.
You can apply for a school through the school admissions service, available from Telford & Wrekin Council. Although some schools manage their own admissions.
Further details regarding admissions can be read on our School Admissions page.
When your child has received confirmation that they have a place at the school, you should contact the Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCo) to organise a transition plan to help your child prepare for their first few weeks at their new school. You may find reading our article about planning for transitions useful to think about how best to help your child.
Further information can be found from IPSEA’s website regarding moving into a new Local Authority.
My child has an Education Health and Care plan and I’m moving into the area
If your child has an education health and care plan (EHCP), you should begin by looking at what schools are available in Telford & Wrekin.
You can search for schools in our online directory
Before you decide on your parental preference of your child’s school choice, read the SEN information report that will be displayed on the school’s website(s) which describe how they support children with special educational needs. You can also contact the school and arrange to visit.
When you move intoTelford & Wrekin with a plan, the SEND Team will take responsibility for your child’s EHCP.
You will be contacted by their allocated SEND Case Officer or Coordinator.
The SEND Team will receive your child’s EHCP and supporting documents from your current authority. They will then decide whether to adopt it, or start a new statutory assessment.
You will be contacted in 6 weeks from when the team are aware of you moving into the area to advise you of what they have decided and to start consulting on placements.
If the SEND Team adopt an EHCP they will try to match the provision and type of placement detailed in it, however this is not always possible as schools in local authorities vary. Your case officer/coordinator will be able to discuss this with you.
The law states that time is to be given to consult the governing body of the school you have chosen for your child to attend. Please make sure you stay in contact with the SEND Team, this is likely to avoid any delays . Once the consultation process is complete and the school or other educational provider is named in your child's EHCP your son or daughter should start attending without delay
When your child has had confirmation that they have a place at the school you can contact the special education needs coordinator (SENCo) to organise how they can help support your child as they prepare for their first few weeks at their new school. You may find reading our article about planning for transitions useful to think about how best to help your child.
Further information can be found from IPSEA’s website regarding moving into a new Local Authority.
My child has health needs and I’m moving into Telford & Wrekin
The first thing you should do when moving into Telford & Wrekine is register with a local GP surgery and dentist. This will be the first step in accessing health services.
If your child is receiving targeted or specialist services, it is good practice to do some research before you move.
If your child has an individual health care plan, you can provide a copy of this to the new school so that appropriate support can be arranged.
My child has an EHCP and I’m moving to another area
If you decide to move out of Telford & Wrekin and your child has an education health and care plan (EHCP), the responsibility for your child’s EHCP is taken up by the new authority.
It is helpful for our EHCP team to know in advance if you are thinking of moving away from Telford & Wrekin. This will help them to make sure that your child’s paperwork is ready to send to the new authority.
Before moving to a new authority, you should read their SEND Local Offer. This will give you information on their education, health and social care provision.
Further information can be found from IPSEA’s website regarding moving into a new Local Authority.
My child has health needs and I’m moving to another area
The first thing to do when moving into a new area is to register with a local GP surgery and dentist. This will be the first step in accessing health services.
If your child is receiving support from health services do research before you move. Look for similar services on the councils SEND local offer. Talk to your current health practitioners and ask them how would you transfer to new health services.
If your child has an individual health care plan you can make sure a copy is given to the school so that appropriate support can be arranged.