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info@loddonschool.org

Admissions

Your Child's Future
Begins Here

The Loddon School provides 52-week residential placements for children with complex autism, severe learning disabilities and associated needs. Every placement is decided slowly, in partnership, and only when we are sure we can meet a child’s needs without unsettling the community they are joining.
2026

Full

2027

Full

2028

4 spaces

A child at The Loddon School sits at an outdoor wooden table, focused on a painting activity in the sunshine. Wearing a pink t-shirt, she uses a paintbrush to dab brown paint onto paper. The table is scattered with craft supplies, including yellow sponge rollers and a printed activity sheet. A staff member stands behind her, carrying a bright red first aid backpack. Wooden raised garden beds and green fencing are visible in the background.

Overview

What we offer, and what we look for

The Loddon School provides highly specialist 52-week residential placements for children and young people with complex autism, severe learning disabilities, and associated needs. Our admissions process is designed to ensure that every placement is appropriate, sustainable, and in the best interests of both the child and our existing community.

Because we are a small school – a maximum of 30 children, with typically only three or four new placements each year – we take time over every referral. The pages below set out exactly how the process works, what we will need from you, and what to expect at each step.

A note on responsiveness: Due to the high volume of referrals we receive, we may not be able to respond to all enquiries individually. Where you have submitted a current EHCP and supporting documents, we will always come back to you.

The process

How an admission to Loddon happens, end to end

The admissions process is sequential: each stage must be successfully completed before progressing. The diagram below summarises the nine steps; the same steps are described in fuller detail beneath it.

The admissions pathway

Sequential · approximately several weeks to several months

1

LOCAL AUTHORITY OR FAMILY

Referral begins

Referrals are usually made by local authorities. In some cases parents may contact us directly to initiate one. All referrals should be sent to info@loddonschool.co.uk.

2

REFERRER PROVIDES

Sharing important information

To understand the child's needs we require a current EHCP, recent review reports, and any relevant supporting documentation - OT, SALT, behaviour reports and risk assessments.

3

ADMISSIONS PANEL: FIRST DECISION

Initial review against essential criteria

The panel reviews all documentation to determine whether the child may meet our essential criteria. Only referrals that meet the criteria progress.

MEETS CRITERIA → STEP 4DOES NOT MEET → PROCESS ENDS
4

ADMISSIONS PANEL

Vacancy check

If the child meets criteria and a suitable placement is available. or expected in the near future, the referral progresses. With agreement, a child may be held pending assessment in line with anticipated availability.

5

SENIOR STAFF & FAMILY

In-person assessment and parent visit

An in-person assessment is essential: no placement is offered without one. It includes time spent with the child in their current setting or at home, observation by senior staff, and a visit to Loddon for parents.

6

LEADERSHIP TEAM EVALUATION

Leadership team evaluation

Following the assessment the leadership team reviews the child's individual needs, compatibility with the current cohort, and whether the school can meet their educational, social and therapeutic needs.

7

FINAL DECISION

Decision made

If the school can meet the child's needs, the process moves forward. If not, the referral concludes here, with feedback to the referrer where appropriate.

YES → STEP 8NO → PROCESS ENDS
8

LODDON → LOCAL AUTHORITY

Placement offer

A formal offer is issued to the local authority. In tribunal or exceptional cases, this may also be shared with parents or legal representatives.

9

JOINT PLANNING

Transition and admission

Once an offer is accepted, consent forms are completed and a transition plan is developed. Transitions typically run over 6–8 weeks, depending on the child's needs, with reciprocal visits between Loddon and the child's current setting.

Key admissions information

Practical things worth knowing

Sequential process

Each stage must be successfully completed before progressing. We won't shortcut steps.

Typical timeline

Several weeks to several months, depending on documentation, scheduling and placement availability.

Type of placement

52-week residential. All placements are full-time; we do not offer day-only or term-time-only places.

School size

A maximum of 30 children, with typically 3–4 new placements each year.

Why timing changes

The small size of the school means placement timing is influenced by the transitions of current students.

Assessment recency

In-person assessments are usually conducted within six months of a potential vacancy - assessments must be current at admission.

Essential criteria

Who Loddon is for

Children and young people admitted to The Loddon School typically meet most or all of the following criteria. Placements are made only where the school can safely and effectively meet the child’s needs without impacting the wellbeing of others in the school.

  • A current EHCP identifying the need for specialist residential provision
  • Diagnosis of autism (complex and severe)
  • Severe or profound learning disabilities
  • Significant communication difficulties, typically communicates non-verbally
  • Highly challenging behaviour, including self-injury and/or aggression
  • Risk of exclusion or breakdown of previous placements
  • Inability to be safely supported full-time in a home environment
  • Additional needs such as epilepsy or other complex conditions

On this page

Need to talk it through? Email info@loddonschool.co.uk with as much context as you have and we’ll come back to you.

Contact admissions

To discuss a referral, or to send documentation

Please send referrals, EHCPs and supporting documents directly to:

info@loddonschool.co.uk

Due to the high volume of referrals, we may not be able to respond to all enquiries individually. We will always reply where a current EHCP has been provided.

Email admissions