Independent and Non-maintained Special Schools
Advice page content
Independent schools are usually privately run for profit. Non-maintained schools are usually managed by charitable organisations and are not profit-making. Neither are maintained/overseen by local authorities.
Most children with an education health and care plan or a statement of special educational needs will be able to go to a local mainstream schools or special schools maintained by the local authority.
Where children or young people have an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of Special Educational Needs, it is a key aim of Hackney Local Authority that wherever possible, their needs are met locally, thereby enabling the majority to remain with their families.
Local school placements will always be investigated as a matter of course, prior to the consideration of an independent, or non- maintained special school that is outside of the local authority.
The local authority will therefore only in exceptional circumstances agree to offer to place in a local independent or non-maintained special school if there are no suitable places in a local maintained special school and:
• if the school is suitable for the child’s special educational needs,
• if the head teacher agrees to offer a place
• if the placement is an efficient use of public money
If so, the school is named on the child’s education health and care plan or statement and the local authority will fund the placement.
Find out more: Independent schools approved under section 41 of the Children and Families Act
Types of independent and non-maintained schools and settings used by Hackney Local Authority:
Type of need |
Type of school or setting |
Reasons for placement |
School
|
Specific literacy difficulties |
Day special school
|
No suitable place in local maintained school |
|
Severe Learning Difficulties |
Day special school |
No suitable place in a local maintained school. |
|
Severe Learning Difficulties |
Day special school |
Where parents choose to place their child in an Independent Day School Hackney Learning Trust may support the placement by providing funds for special provision specific to the child’s needs identified in their Education Health and Care Plan (previously statement of SEN) |
|
ASD and associated behavioural difficulties but not severe learning difficulties. |
Day special school |
Where the pupil needs specialist provision but would not have a suitable peer group in a local special school |
|
SEMH ASD |
Day special school |
Children whose emotional and behavioural needs prevent attendance at a local maintained school |
|
ASD and severe behavioural difficulties |
Day special school |
Education for young people aged up to 19 with autism who have been referred by their local authority. In Hackney this is mostly for Post 16 provision |
|
Medical Conditions e.g. Epilepsy |
Residential School |
A non-maintained special school for pupils aged up to 19. children with neurological conditions and related behavioural difficulties |
|
SEMH (Social, emotional and mental health) needs |
Day special school |
Children whose emotional and behavioural needs prevent attendance at a local maintained school |
|
Various needs |
Independent day schools, (not special) |
Where parents choose to place their child in an Independent Day School Hackney Learning Trust may support the placement by providing funds for special provision specific to the child’s needs identified in their Education Health and Care Plan (previously statement of SEN) |
Independent School |
Children with severe learning difficulties and associated behavioural difficulties |
Residential special school. |
Due a child’s level of behaviour that challenges at home, specialist boarding provision has been agreed to be necessary. |
|
Children with acute medical conditions and acquired severe injuries |
Residential special school |
No local maintained day special school that is suitable. Specialist health provision needed throughout the day. |
|
Autism and associated behavioural difficulties |
Residential special schools |
No local maintained day special school that is suitable |