Before you request an assessment for an education, health and care plan (EHCP).
An EHC plan (education, health and care plan) is for children and young people under the age of 25 who have complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
If a child or young person receives SEND support in their place of learning, but has not made the progress expected in the four broad areas of need (communication and interaction; social, emotional and mental health, cognition and learning, and physical and sensory), they may require an EHC needs assessment to work out how much support they need. This is described in the SEND Code of Practice (paragraph 9.14):
“The local authority should consider whether there is evidence that despite the early years provider, school or post-16 institution having taken relevant and purposeful action to identify, assess and meet the special educational needs of the child or young person, the child or young person has not made expected progress.”
Who can request an EHC needs assessment?
- An educational setting
- A parent or carer
- A health or care professional
- A young person over 16
Please note that whilst a parent/carer or young person can request an EHC needs assessment, where possible the request should come from the school/setting.
This is because they will have evidence of the SEND support that has already been given.
You can read more information in Chapter 9 of the SEND Code of Practice. There is also a summary in Special educational needs and disability: A guide for parents and carers.
If your child’s school or setting thinks that an EHC needs assessment is appropriate, they will talk to you about this and request your permission to complete the application, which they will share with you.
If you feel that your child needs an EHC needs assessment, we suggest that you talk to your child’s school/setting about this – if they agree they can make a request for an EHC needs assessment.
Things you should do before you make an EHC needs assessment request.
- Read the SEND information report for your child’s school/setting, this will be on their website. It will tell you what support they offer and what you should do if you have any concerns.
- Check your child is receiving SEND support. You can read more about that here.
- Check that your child’s school/setting has been through at least two cycles of assess, plan, do, review (also called the graduated approach). Make sure you know what the intended outcomes are and whether or not they have been achieved.
- Check that your child’s school/setting has evidence of the SEND support that has been provided, including plans and records of any professionals your child has seen.
- Make sure you have had regular meetings with your child’s teacher or key worker to discuss their progress and the support they are receiving.
- If you have concerns about the SEND support that has been put in place at your child’s school/setting, ask to meet with the SENCO/teacher/key worker to discuss if everything possible is being done to support your child.
- Speak to SENDIASS (special educational needs and disabilities information and advisory service) if you need more information, advice or support. You can see how to contact them here.
- Speak to your child’s school/setting about your concerns and let them know that you want to request an EHC plan needs assessment.