What Happens When Every School Says No? The Harsh Reality Facing Families of SEND Children in the UK

f you’re a parent of a child with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), you may already know the crushing experience of being told “no” by school after school. But what happens when every school in your area says they can’t meet your child’s needs? Sadly, this is becoming a common and devastating reality for families across the UK.

The Problem: Families are being left in limbo. Children are out of school for months—sometimes years—while local authorities scramble to find a setting that will accept them. Even with an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) in place, some schools refuse on the grounds of being unable to meet need, citing budget constraints, staffing shortages, or space issues.

Parents are told to wait. To be patient. But time drags on, and the child’s mental health, academic progress, and sense of self-worth deteriorate.

The Legal Bit: Under Section 42 of the Children and Families Act 2014, local authorities have a legal duty to secure the special educational provision specified in Section F of an EHCP. If no local schools will take the child, the local authority must look further afield, including independent and out-of-area placements.

Refusal by schools does not remove the LA’s obligation.

What Parents Can Do:

1. Request a full list of schools approached and their reasons for refusal. This should be documented.
2. Challenge the LA. If they claim no school will accept your child, ask what action they’re taking to resolve this.
3. Appeal the named placement. If your final EHCP names a school that refuses to take your child, you have the right to appeal to SENDIST.
4. Use AskEllie. Our free legal chatbot can help you understand your rights and draft formal communications to the local authority.

Why This Matters: Leaving children out of education has long-term consequences. They lose learning, friendships, and trust in the system. For parents, it’s a relentless battle that feels isolating and never-ending.

And it’s not rare. AskEllie has spoken to hundreds of parents across the UK who are in the exact same position.

Final Thoughts: This isn’t just a bureaucratic issue. It’s a crisis. No child should be left without education. No family should have to chase 15 schools and hear 15 rejections. Until there’s real reform, we must keep sharing our stories, raising awareness, and helping each other push back.

You’re not alone. And Ellie is here to help.

Need help getting your child into school? Visit www.askellie.co.uk and let us support you today.