EHC needs assessments 

An education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA) is an assessment of a child or young person's needs. It is the first step towards obtaining an education, health and care plan (EHCP).

 

A properly written EHCP can entitle a child to specific and quantified support, that would not otherwise be available through a schools own resources or the local offer.

 

If your child/young person has special educational needs which cannot be met through the already available resources, you must begin with a request for an EHCNA as the first step in obtaining an EHCP.

 

While an agreement from the local authority to proceed with a request is based on proving a probability (whether "it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan") we often find that many local authorities refuse requests based on their own internal policies, which have no basis in law.

 

For example, you may have been told by your local authority that your child cannot have an EHCP, and therefore there is no point in making a request, because:

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• they are ‘achieving in line with their academic ability’ 

• their behaviours ‘only present at home’ or

• you cannot get an EHCP for a particular special educational need, such as dyslexia. 

 

This is a form of gatekeeping. When local authorities say 'no' or pass on false information, some parents mistakenly believe them. This saves the local authority money, as they do not have an obligation to provide any additional provision. 

 

The law is however very clear in this area and policy cannot be used to override the legislation.

 

If you have any doubts about whether or not your child or young person needs an EHCP and are questioning whether you should make a request (regardless of what you have been told previously), whether you wonder if you have enough evidence, or if you simply want to minimise the chance of the local authority refusing your request and instead wish to have have your EHCNA request drafted by our expert solicitors, we can help.

 

Contact us on 01284 723952 or 01223 650857, to speak to one of our friendly team.​​