Parent/carer requests for an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA)
What should I include in my request?
For parents/carers making a request for an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA), please include the following information:
1) Explain your child’s needs. Please try to answer these questions:
- What do you think your child needs support with at their school/setting?
- How do you think this can best be given?
- Has something worked well that is not in place anymore?
- What are they good at? What do they enjoy?
- What do they worry about?
- What are your concerns?
2) Describe any extra support your child already receives – both inside and outside of their school/setting.
3) List any Education, Health or Social Care agencies or professionals who have had any involvement with your child (e.g. Portage, CAMHS, Early Help). Please provide their contact details if you can.
4) Include any professional reports or assessments you have.
5) Include your consent by filling in the Parental Consent Form
Please note: By requesting an EHC assessment you are giving your permission for professionals to be contacted and asked to provide advice.
Who should I send an EHC needs assessment request to?
EHC needs assessment requests are handled by SENMAS (special educational needs monitoring and assessment service). Please send all the information needed to them.
SENMAS
Stoke-on-Trent City Council
Hazel Trees
Duke Street
Fenton
Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 3NR
Email: SENMAS@stoke.gov.uk
Duty Number: 01782 231863 - Monday - Friday 9:30 - 3:30
When will I hear a response?
We will be in touch following your request. We will let you know within 6 weeks of receiving your request if we will be carrying out a needs assessment or if we have declined to do so. As stated in SEND Code of Practice (2014) 9.11:
“Following a request for an EHC needs assessment, or the child or young person having otherwise been brought to its attention, the local authority must determine whether an EHC needs assessment is necessary. The local authority must make a decision and communicate the decision to the child’s parent or to the young person within 6 weeks of receiving the request.
Who can help me to make the request?
SENDIASS can help parents, carers and young people to make a request.
Phone: 01782 234 701
Email: iass@stoke.gov.uk