Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014 requires the Secretary of State to publish a list of approved:
- independent educational institutions
- independent special schools and;
- post-16 institutions
for the purposes of satisfying Section 38 of the Act (Preparation of an Education, Health and Care plan by local authorities). Institutions can only be included on the list with their consent.
The list is updated termly and published on GOV.UK
The Children and Families Act places specific duties upon institutions on the approved list:
- institutions must "have regard" to the SEND Code of Practice. And have a reciprocal duty to co-operate with the local authority on arrangements for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities
- 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 Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
If the institution is named in an EHCP:
- the local authority is under a qualified duty to secure a place
- the institution must admit the pupil or young person