Ehcp amendments

[fizzypop1]

Hello I sent a marked up draft plan back within the 15 day period but am advised that the la have to issue a final one next week within their 4 week window from the draft being issued. They have said that they need time to talk to the professionals and cannot therefore go through the amendments and changes in the time required. They have advised that once they issue the final plan they will then go through the amendments and issue a proposed amended plan. Has anyone had experience of this? I can't book a call with ipsea despite trying. Thank you!

[amunt]

I don't suppose it's Herts? They said the same, but never considered or ever replied.

[fizzypop1]

Hello - yes it is Herts. I don't think there is much I can do about it and will end up having to appeal.

[amunt]

It's awful, Herts systematically abuse the system and nobody will hold them to account. PM me if you need some info around their Tribunal tactics.

[Ceto]

There isn't a formal four week time limit as such, but they have to complete within 20 weeks of when you first asked for assessment (18 weeks if it's a transfer from a statement.)

I wouldn't bother to spend time negotiating if I were you, particularly as you're dealing with Herts - they're never going to produce a decent EHCP voluntarily, no matter how many drafts you go through or how many times you reject their drafts. I would just ask them to complete the EHCP as soon as possible, and get on with an appeal. There is nothing to stop them negotiating on improvements whilst that process goes on.

Whatever you do, don't delay appealing because they promise to make amendments. If they decide not to amend after the appeal deadline, you would have lost your right to appeal totally

[amunt]

Good advice Ceto because that's exactly what they tried to do with me. "We're consulting our professionals" and the appeal deadline came and went - I realised in time and got the appeal in. I felt such an idiot. There was no consulting and they had saved all that money by making me delay starting the appeal process.

[fizzypop1]

Thanks that is really helpful. I will wait for the plan and then put in an appeal.

[amunt]

BTW I'm trying to compile a report on the way Herts systematically abuses the system in the most cynical way. If anyone could pm me with any instances I would be grateful - all anonymous of course. They are able to act so cynically because they know DfE will bat away individual complaints. So far I have learnt they systematically :

*Submit Tribunal evidence after the deadline so they can fabricate their case evidence around countering what you submitted.

*They have now started commissioning private SALTS etc...for their reports so they can get them to write what they want.

*They don't give you a chance to submit amendments to EHCP.

*Their Local Offer is impossible to decipher.

*(Unsurprisingly) They lie outrageously