Ten important facts about EHCP’s

The Facts

1. EHCP’s are designed to set out how education, health, and social care services will work to meet the needs of the young person.

2. They are produced by local authorities, and have replaced ‘statements of special educational needs’. EHCPs should include the views of parents/carers and the young person.

3. A plan should describe the young persons’ special educational needs, along with any health and social care needs they have. EHCPs should also address the desired outcomes across education, health and social care for the young person.

4. A Needs Assessment is carried out to decide whether a young person needs an EHCP. The assessment does not automatically mean that the child will receive an EHCP. For example, a Local Authority made decide that the school/college (or other service provider) can meet the needs of the young person, without one.

5. The assessment can be requested by a parent/carer, a young person with SEND (over the age of 16), or a representative from a school or other provider.

6. The process from making a request for an EHC assessment, to receiving the completed plan should take no longer than 20 weeks.

7. A Local Authority must decide whether or not to proceed with an EHC needs assessment. They must then inform the parents/carers of the young person, within a maximum of six weeks; upon receiving the request.

8. If a local authority decides not to issue a plan, after carrying out an assessment, it should inform the parents/carers or the young person, within 16 weeks.

9. If a local authority decides that a plan is to be produced, the young person or their parents/carers should be given 15 days to provide their views on a draft EHCP; and ask for a particular school, or other institution, to be named on it.

10. An EHCP should be reviewed annually.