How EHC needs assessments are undertaken
Where it is agreed to carry out an EHCNA. the local authority (LA) must gather advice from relevant professionals (see SEND Code of Practice 2015, 9.49) about the child or young person's:
- education, health and care needs
- desired outcomes and;
- any special educational, health and care provision that may be required to meet identified needs and achieve desired outcomes (SEND Code of Practice 2015 9.46).
An EHC Assessment Officer will be allocated to make sure the assessment is effectively co-ordinated
- the assessment process must fully involve parent carers and the child or young person
- the assessment is usually conducted through the EHC Hub
Following assessment, the EHC Hub will collate all the advice received. Parent carers can view this through the Hub.
The assessment process must be completed by week 16 from when the request for assessment was made. A decision must be made at that time whether to issue an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or not.
If an EHC Plan is agreed, parent carers and relevant professionals are invited to a co-production meeting to discuss the content of the draft plan. The meeting usually takes place around 17 to 18 weeks from when the request was made. It provides a chance to discuss:
- the desired outcomes for the child or young person
- steps towards those outcomes
- identified, strengths, needs and provision required so any questions can be answered