If you have already carefully considered whether it is appropriate to apply for an EHCP (in STEP-2), having explored all the help available in schools and settings an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment may be necessary, this is sometimes known as an EHCNA. This is a legal process. These assessments identify educational, health and social needs.
They set out the additional support and provision to meet those needs. In most cases the request should be made in partnership between the school and family.
What is the process and timescales for (EHC) Needs Assessments?
- Ideally, agree with the SENDCo and setting that an EHCP is required, so they can help with the next stage and provide information on what has already been tried.
- Request an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Needs Assessment, sometimes called an EHCNA – in terms of timescales, the submission of the request is WEEK-1.
- Before the end of WEEK-6, you will be informed of the outcome of your request, which will lead to one of two outcomes:
- The request for an EHC Needs Assessment is approved, and we will gather information from various people, including you and the child or young person.
- We will show ways that the school, college or other setting can meet the needs of your child or young person without an EHC Needs Assessment.
- If approved, the EHC Needs Assessment takes place, and before the end of WEEK-16, you will be informed of one of two outcomes:
- An EHCP is being drafted
- We will show ways that the school, college or setting can meet the needs of the child or young person without an EHCP.
- If an EHCP is drafted, you will receive this by WEEK-16 and have 15 calendar days to check through the draft and tell us any concerns or requests for changes, or to request a meeting.
- By WEEK-20, the EHCP should be finalised – this is then reviewed appropriately moving forwards.
Who can apply for an EHC Needs Assessment?
The following people can request the council to carry out an assessment:
- a child's school or setting
- a parent or legal carer
- a young person between 16 and 25 (requesting an assessment themselves)
- other professionals such as your doctor or health visitor – but they should only refer the child or young person with their or their parents' knowledge and agreement, where possible
Because the request will require evidence that your child needs more support than a mainstream education setting can normally provide, it is best to work on the request alongside the school or setting - in most cases, they will be very familiar with the process and how to gather the relevant information.
If you do not feel that you the SENDCo can provide the support you need, you can still complete the assessment yourself.
What information is needed to request an EHC Needs Assessment?
The SEND team at Dorset Council will usually want to gather evidence on how the school or setting has identified, assessed, and tried to meet the needs of your child – and how they are still not making the expected progress. This is where the SENDCo can help support the request - they can help gather:
- reports and letters detailing your child’s needs, their progress, and what has been put in place at the school or setting
- doctor’s and other specialist reports
- any other assessments your child has completed
- evidence that additional resources are needed
You will also usually be asked for information on:
- your child’s difficulties
- any extra support they have already received
- why you feel they need more help
- you and your child's views, wishes and goals
- your child's strengths and needs
- any other existing support your child has both at school and at home
Where can I request an EHC Needs Assessment?
If possible, the request should be made by the school or setting. It's no quicker to request the assessment yourself as we will still have to get advice from the school or educational setting.
If you do not feel that you the SENDCo or school is best placed to start the process, you can complete a Request for an EHC Needs Assessment form, which will help ensure you provide all the relevant information as early as possible. If you still have any questions, you can contact the Learning and Belonging (SEND) Team.
When do I get a decision on my EHC Needs Assessment request?
Within 6 weeks of submitting your request, you will be informed of one of two outcomes:
- The request for an EHC Needs Assessment is approved - we will then start to gather information from various people, including you and the child or young person.
- We will show ways that the school, college or other setting can meet the needs of your child or young person without an EHC Needs Assessment.
What happens if the EHC Needs Assessment is NOT approved?
There are various reasons why we may not approve a request for an EHC Needs Assessment, for example:
- there is not enough evidence of your child’s difficulties
- the school or setting your child attends can provide all the help your child needs
The SEND case worker at Dorset Council will give you feedback on this decision, and they will offer you a meeting to discuss how to support your child. This is an opportunity to meet with the SEND workers at Dorset Council and the education setting. You can discuss the decision and focus on the next steps available to support your child.
If you do not agree, you have the right of appeal to challenge decisions about support for children with SEND.
Where can I get more information of support with EHC Needs Assessments?
Have a discussion with the SENCO at your child or young person's school or educational setting about the different options available to support them. In many cases they can start the process for applying for an EHCP.
If you would prefer to speak to someone at the council, there are dedicated SEND teams in your area, or drop into your local Family Hub.
There is also support from outside of the school, setting, or council: