Independent SEND Settings approved by DfE
Find information on approved independent special schools.
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The Secretary of State for Education can publish a list of approved independent special schools. This is stated under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act 2014.
Please view the London Borough of Sutton Policy on non state funded settings [External Link]
These schools and post-16 provisions can only be included on the list with their consent.
To view this list, visit the GOV.UK website [External Link].
This list includes:
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Schools and colleges approved under the Children and Families Act 2014 in England and Wales. To learn more, visit the Legislation Children and Families act page [External Link]
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Independent Schools in England. These include non-maintained special schools. To find out more, visit the Legislation Education Act 1996 page [External Link].
Please Note: If an independent special school is not listed, the Local Authority does not have to consider the setting.
Important information about Non-Maintained and Independent (NMI) schools
This information relates to placements at Non-Maintained and Independent (NMI) special schools for children and young people with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).
Parents and carers should be aware that Non-Maintained and Independent (NMI) special schools operate under different arrangements to state funded (maintained) schools. NMI schools are independent providers and are separate from maintained schools within the local authority system.
NMI schools, as independent organisations, may serve notice to end a placement. The notice period is typically around 6 weeks, however there is no statutory minimum notice period. This differs from maintained schools, where pupils remain on roll unless a formal process for permanent exclusion or a change of placement is agreed, through the statutory EHCP process.
In addition, NMI schools are not subject to the same statutory duties as maintained schools in relation to continuity of provision. In some circumstances, schools may close or cease trading. While they are expected to notify local authorities and families as early as possible and follow relevant regulatory processes, there is no statutory guarantee of continuity of provision in the same way as maintained schools.
Parents and carers are encouraged to consider these differences carefully when reviewing placement options, and to discuss any questions with their dedicated EHCP Coordinator.