Independent schools for pupils with SEND

Including those approved under section 41 of the Children and Families Act.

The Children and Families Act places specific duties upon institutions on the approved list:

Institutions on the approved list must “have regard” to the SEN Code of Practice

Institutions on the approved list have a reciprocal duty to co-operate with the local authority on arrangements for children and young people with SEN

Local authorities’ published Local Offer must refer to the institutions on the approved list.

Specific duties and rights relating to admissions, in line with maintained schools, Academies, FE colleges and non-maintained special schools:

• A child or young person has a right to request that an institution on the approved list is named in their EHC Plan
• If the institution is named in an EHC Plan, the local authority is under a qualified duty to secure a place
• If the institution is named in an EHC Plan, the institution must admit the pupil or young person

The approved list will be updated termly and can be found at GOV.UK