What should I include in my DD's EHCP?

[Ollyoscar18]

I am getting really confused as to how I should present the information in my DD's EHCP. She has complex needs (educational, medical, social and emotional). I really want to make sure her EHCP is as succinct as possible to avoid the LA or schools having any "wriggle room" to avoid having to implement or provide something. But I can't seem to work out how the info should be presented, how much info to give, how specific I should be when I'm still waiting for assessment results. My DD is at home at present as she had to be de-registered from primary school due to spiteful head teacher deciding my DD had no problems other than just a "manipulative child"!! Fourteen months on, lots of professional reports detailing all of DD's difficulties, medical diagnosis etc, the HT still refused to implement the Statement and my DD was so stressed out and physically ill that we had to remove her from the school. She has just started having 1:1 tuition funded by LA at home but we are keen to get her back in school ASAP but has to be the right school where she will feel safe, nurtured, supported, encouraged and motivated......all sadly missing at previous school. We have asked for special school place and are waiting for LA decision. But in meantime, I have to submit "Parental Submission" to LA and need any helpful suggestions on the best way to achieve a successful and effective document. Thanks a lot.

[Anomia10]

I went to a workshop on EHC plans today. We were given a sample parental submission. It was written for a 20 year old, however as one of the speakers said:

"Parents need to think where they want their child to be at 30, and work backwards from there!"

Some LAs may try to tell you, its about the next 12 months, but its not!

We were told that the parents should remember that the EHC plan is a legal document, just like a statement was; and it should not be full of fluffy stuff. Strengths are good, but they are often the result of previous interventions. Needs are what are important.

The headings in the sample are:

1. How we see Fred - the needs
   
2. My hopes and aspirations
   
3. I want Fred...long term aims
   
4. For this to happen, I believe Fred needs to...the provisions you want to see
   
5. I want Fred to..
   
6. Outcomes I expect education/further education to achieve
   
7. Sport and leisure
   
8. Health and fitness
   
9. Office skills
   

10. Our family history
11. Things that are important to our family...Fred in close contact with family, happy in his school setting, health diet...
12. Support network around Fred - social care for him and respite for the parents
13. How to support us as a family - social care specified for Fred
14. The type of care Fred needs...
15. Aim of behavioural interventions...

It took up nine pages of A4. The idea was to outline what you would like to see in Parts B, F and I - which correspond to Parts 2, 3, and 4 of the statement; Part E the outcomes and Part H 1 or 2, the social care.

Do not try to cram it into the box on the LA's form, or even start to put it in there, with continuation sheet - nobody will read the continuation sheet. Just put in the box "Please see attached document 1, detailing parents' views. Everything in the EHC plan needs to link to sections B, F and I. Needs for health and social care count as SEN if they educate or train the child or young person (such as speech and language therapy). Social care needs impact on learning - show how. For instance, access to sports and leisure reduces challenging behaviour. When thinking about outcomes, think what would it

1. give the child or young person (CYP)
   
2. do for the CYP
   
3. make possible for the CYP
   
4. where when and with whom does the CYP want it
   

So an example of a real outcome is "I am understood by my friends and I can play with them at the after school club every day and in class."

The possible solutions might be speech and language therapy, help in the classroom including my friends, social activities outside of school, differentiated curriculum, my friends learn some signs.

Long term outcomes might be

1. "When I leave education, I want a job/meaningful activity."
   
2. "I want to live in my own place, near my parents."
   
3. "I want to be able to communicate my needs, using...."
   

These can then be broken down into medium term and short term outcomes. If you pm me your email address, I'll send you a scan of it.

[Anomia10]

One other thing - it is quite likely that the teacher, LA speech and language therapist and educational psychologist won't specify any provisions in their reports for the EHC assessment. However, they might say to you:

"Your child needs....."

Follow up all such conversations with an email to them, by return, confirming the conversation you both had. Tell them they have 10 working days to make any comments, if they disagree with your email, if not, it is assumed the conversation is confirmed. If it comes to a Tribunal, and as a parent, you say:

"I think about 6 months ago, the teacher said...."

This is just hearsay. An email confirming a conversation, which has not been contested, is evidence.

[Ollyoscar18]

Hi Anomia 10,

Thanks so much for a detailed reply. I would really be grateful for a scanned copy but I don't know how to PM you!

[Anomia10]

I am not sure, but try clicking on Message poster.

[Anomia10]

Top right in the line above this message?

[sweetteamum]

Would it be ok for me to receive a copy of those details too.

That info is just fantastic and my DD is just transferring over to an EHCP and would really help me.