Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

Where, despite the school having taken relevant and purposeful action to identify, assess and meet the SEN of the child/young person, expected progress has not been made, the school or parents could consider requesting an EHC Assessment.

An “EHC needs assessment” is an assessment of the educational, health care and social care needs of a child or young person. It is the first stage of the process for getting an EHC plan.

It finds out the needs of the child/young person and what provision they may need.

It is the process of collecting information by the Local Authority (LA) and from many other sources, designed to look at all aspects of the needs of the child/young person.

The EHC needs assessment should not normally be the first steps in the process and it should follow on from SEN Support.

When can a request be made for assessment?

A request can be made at any time.

• No need to wait until starting school- the Children and Families Act applies from birth to 25 years old.
• Following Special Educational Needs or Disabilities (SEND) support provided by the educational setting and additional support is still required.
• No need for a diagnosis.

A request cannot be made:

• If the LA has carried out a previous assessment of needs within the last 6 months.
• If the young person is older than twenty-five.

Who can make a request for assessment?

A request can be made by:

• A parent
• A young person (over compulsory school age)
• The educational setting