Asking a local authority (LA) to name a unit or resource base in a child’s EHC plan

If

then

it is listed as a separate institution

the name of the specialist unit or resource base should be included in Section I of the child’s EHC plan.

You, or your young person can request that this setting is named, and the LA must name it unless certain limited conditions apply.

It is also advisable to include details of the type of support your child or young person will receive in Section F (the section detailing the special educational provision required).

it is not listed as a separate institution

this is not unusual because the majority of units and bases are not separate schools or institutions, but are units within a  school (very often a mainstream school). This means it cannot be named as a school or other institution in Section I of the EHC plan.

You, or your young person should request that the school of which the unit or base is part is named, and the LA must name that school unless certain limited conditions apply.

It is essential that Section F of the EHC plan includes a description of the special educational provision that is available at the unit or base, for example small class teaching, onsite speech and language or occupational therapy, or specially trained staff. Without a clear description in Section F, your child could end up being placed in the school, but not have any access to the unit. You can read more about what an EHC plan should contain here.

Some LAs are willing to include the name of a unit or base in Section I of an EHC plan, alongside the name of the school or institution that it’s a part of, even where it is not a separate institution. However, if a parent has to appeal to the  SEND Tribunal to ensure their child gets access to the unit, it is especially important that the appeal includes Sections B and F of the EHC plan too. 

Where necessary to ensure that the EHC plan is as clear and specific as required by law, the name of the unit at which the child or young person will receive special educational provision could be written into Section F or Section I of their EHC plan – either by agreement of the parties or by order of the SEND Tribunal.  Whether this level of detail is needed will depend on the facts of each case.