How Long Has Your Child Been Waiting?
Children with SEND are being left without suitable school places for months or even years. This tool helps you see just how long the wait has been for your child.
Check how long your child has been waiting
If your child never started primary school, please use the date they should have started Reception year. If a final EHCP named a school that could not meet needs and your child never attended, use the date the plan was issued. This includes cases where a mainstream was named when specialist provision was required. If the plan was late, use the date it should have been issued. Do not use a panel decision date.
If they never started, use the Year 7 start date.
If a phase transfer EHCP named a school that could not meet needs, use the final plan date. This includes cases where a mainstream was named when specialist provision was required.
If the plan was late, use the date it should have been issued.
Do not use a panel date.
Use the date of the most recent final or amended EHCP after which no suitable place was available, including where the plan named a school that could not meet needs.
If the plan was late, use the date it should have been issued.
Do not use a panel date.
Use the date this became clear, such as when a reduced timetable began, when written confirmation was given, or when full-time attendance stopped. If a final EHCP issued around that time named a school that could not meet needs, you may use that EHCP issue date instead. Do not use a panel date.
Use the last day attended or the formal end date in writing.
If a final EHCP followed immediately and named a school that could not meet needs, you may use that final plan date.
Do not use a panel date.
Use the first day your child could not attend because suitable education was not in place.
If a final EHCP covering this period named a school that could not meet needs, you may use that final plan date.
Do not use a panel date.
Optional. Adds your council's name to the summary only. It does not change the calculation.
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My child should have started secondary school but still has no suitable place.
Calculate yours at:
neveratschool.com
Frequently Asked Questions.
How does this calculator work?
It counts the days your child has been waiting for a school place, it also shows a breakdown of weeks and months waiting.
Does the calculator include weekends or holidays?
Yes, it counts all days including bank holidays. You may also be interested in our missed school days tracker which shows how many days of education your child has missed.
My child is on a part-time timetable. Can I still use it?
It is better to use the Reduced School Timetable Tracker for that.
What date should I start from?
Use the first day your child was not in school. That could be the day they were taken off roll, stopped attending, or when their placement broke down.
What if my child never started school at all?
That is fine. Just enter the date they should have started or the date you began waiting for a place. The calculator will count from there.
Why does this matter?
Many families lose months or even years of education time while waiting for the system to act. This tool helps put that into perspective.
Is this official or legal advice?
No. This site was created by Oliver’s parents, to help other families understand what the delays really mean. It is a guide, not legal advice.
I spotted something wrong. Can I tell you?
Yes please. It really helps to know if something doesn’t look right. You can send us a message on our Instagram or our contact page.
Other Tools for Parents
Simple tools and calculators to help parents track deadlines and show the impact of missed education.
EHCP Deadline Tracker
Keep on top of the 20-week process and key deadlines.
Calculate EHCP Deadlines
Missed School Days Tracker
Calculate how many days your child hasn’t received an education.
Calculate Missed School Days
Reduced Timetable Tracker
Track how many days your child has lost out on education because of a reduced timetable.
Calculate Time Lost
Not just Oliver
Many children across Hertfordshire are still waiting for suitable education. If this is your family, you are not alone.
Use our quick tool to show how long your child has been without education and what their situation looks like in numbers.
Nothing is stored, everything is created safely on your device.
- Local Authority
- Your child's situation (no place, unsuitable, etc.)
- The date their education stopped
10/06/2025 - 06/11/2025
149
DAYS WAITING FOR A SCHOOL PLACE