What is an EHCP?

An Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that outlines your needs and the support your school, college, or setting must provide to help you succeed. It is available to children and young people up to the age of 25.

 

What is an EHC Needs Assessment?

The process as it should work

The Local Authority have six weeks to make a decision (if the answer is no, you can Appeal to the SEND Tribunal)

At 16 weeks the LA must make a decision whether to issue EHC Plan or not (if the answer is no, you can Appeal to the SEND Tribunal can be made)

The LA must issue a Draft Plan at 18 weeks, assuming that it hasn’t been delayed by having to go to a tribunal (you has 15 days for comment)

Finalisation of the EHC Plan is 20 weeks from the EHC Needs Assessment request (if you are unhappy with the content, a Parental Appeal to the SEND Tribunal can be made)

If you are granted an EHCP, it becomes a legal document that your school, college, or setting must follow to support your learning. However, it is important to note that undergoing a needs assessment does not guarantee that you will receive an EHCP. The process may still provide valuable insights and recommendations for your school or college to better understand and support your needs.

 

How to Apply

Requests for an EHC needs assessment are submitted to the SENA team at Leicestershire County Council. This request can be made by you, your parents or carer, or your school, college, or setting with your consent. You can apply directly to the Torbay Council SEN team by completing a template letter, or you can work with your school or college, which can complete a request form on your behalf.

The request should clearly explain your SEND needs and any support already tried. This helps the SEN team understand the difficulties you face and the support you need. You can work with your parent, carer, school or us to share your thoughts, feelings, and views.

The EHC Needs Assessment Process

The purpose of this assessment is to gather a holistic view of the child and their needs. Therefore, assessments and evidence are required from a selection of sources:

These may include

• Parent/carer

• Head/SENCO

• Medical

• Psychologist or other specialist professional assessment

• Social care

• Speech and language therapist/occupational therapist

• Anyone else that you feel would be useful

 

After a request for an EHC needs assessment is submitted, there are several possible outcomes:

-Assessment Not Agreed: SENA may decide that an assessment is not needed and will provide reasons for this decision within six weeks. You can appeal this decision or apply again in the future, but you must wait at least six months from the original request date.

- Assessment Agreed, No EHCP Issued: If an assessment is agreed upon, SENA has six weeks to gather additional information. They may ask you for more details or arrange a meeting with a professional. If they decide not to issue an EHCP, you can appeal this decision. A support plan should still be put in place by your school or college, even though it is not a legal document like an EHCP.

- Assessment Agreed, EHCP Issued: If SENA agrees to issue an EHCP, they will draft a plan and send it to you. You have 15 days to review the draft and provide feedback or request changes. The final EHCP must be completed within 20 weeks of the initial assessment request.

 

What if My Needs Change?

If you already have an EHCP but feel that your needs have changed, the plan may need to be reviewed. This could be due to needing additional support, changes in health or social care needs, a change in school or college, or preparing for a significant transition.

All EHCPs must be reviewed at least once every 12 months. If a review is not scheduled soon, you can ask your school or college for an earlier review.

 

What Happens at a Review?

An annual review ensures that your EHCP continues to meet your needs. During this meeting, you can share your views about the current plan, raise any concerns, and request any additional support.

 

The review process involves:

1. Gathering your views and those of your parents or carers.

2. Holding a review meeting to discuss your EHCP.

3. SEN requesting information from your school, parents, and any other professionals involved.

4. SEN deciding within four weeks whether to keep the plan the same, make changes, or cease it.

 

Planning for the Future

From Year 9 onwards, EHCP reviews should focus on "preparing for adulthood," which includes:

- Preparing for higher education or employment

- Gaining skills for independent living

- Engaging in the community and building supportive relationships

- Maintaining good health into adulthood

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Changing School, Setting, or College

If you are unhappy with your current school, college, or setting, or feel they are not meeting your needs, consider requesting a meeting to discuss your concerns.

If a change of placement is needed, it must be reflected in Section I of your EHCP.