Education Health and Care Plans (EHC) - Needs Assessment

Hartlepool SEND Information, Advice and Support Service

The EHC Plan, replaced the old Statement of Education Need as of 1^st September 2014. Any new request for statutory assessment now follow the new EHC process.

            

The EHC Plan Process

Once all the information and reports have been gathered to make a request for statutory assessment, the request is then submitted to the local authority for the SEND Panel to decide that the degree of the child’s Learning Difficulty and the nature of the provision necessary to meet the child’s special educational provision through an Education Health and Care Plan. This Panel meet every 4 weeks to consider applications. The Panel includes representatives from education, health and social care.

When the SEN Team receives the request for Statutory Assessment they will send you a letter confirming this and will inform you of the next available SEND Panel meeting. It is required by law that the local authority has to reply to your request within 6 weeks.

Following the SEND Panel meeting, the SEN Team will contact you to inform you of the outcome of the meeting. If the decision is the child does not require an assessment and you disagree with the decision, you can talk to Hartlepool SEND Information Advice and Support Services or ask for details on mediation services.

If you are still unhappy, you have the right to appeal to the First - Tier Tribunal (SEND).

Time Scales

The whole process of an EHC needs assessment and EHC plan development, form the point when the assessment is requested (or child or young person is brought to the local authorities attention)until the final EHC plan is issued, must take no more than 20 weeks (subject to exemptions)

The specific timescale requirements can be found in Chapter 9 of the SEND Code of Practice January 2015 under points 9.41 to 9.43

            

What does the proposed EHC Plan look like?

Section	Detail
A	The views, interests and aspirations of the child and their parents, or of the young person
B	The child or young person’s special educational needs
C	The child or young person’s health needs which relate to special educational needs
D	The child or young person’s social care needs which relate to special educational needs
E	The outcomes sought for the child or the young person
F	The special educational provision required by the child or young person
G	Any health provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which result in the child or young person having special educational needs
H1	Any social care provision which must be made for a child or young person under 18 resulting from section 2 of the chronically Sick & Disabled Persons Act 1970 (CSDPA)
H2	Any other social care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which result in the child or young person having special educational needs
I	Placement
J	Personal Budget (including arrangements for direct payments
K	Advice and information

 

Stages of appeal

Decisions about provision for children and young people with SEN should be made as soon as possible. In most cases this will be achieved by discussion with the Local Authority SEN Team, including the help from Hartlepool SEND Information, Advice and Support Service.

If you are still not happy about the outcomes outlined in the plan, then you can contact the Mediation & Disagreement Resolution Services who can provide you with independent advice and information on the next steps that are available to you. Hartlepool SEND Information, Advice and Support Service can provide you with a list of approved providers that can offer you this service.

Should you require more detailed information about the statutory process, please contact: Hartlepool SENDIASS on: 01429 284876 or by email to: [email protected]

           

Useful Information 

Independent Parental Special Education Needs Advice (IPSEA). Website: http://www.ipsea.org.uk/