The EHCP will need to mostly be rewritten, but is it ok to copy the relevant needs/provision from the existing Plan into the new proposal if they still apply but aren't explicitly mentioned in the latest EP report?
Yes. It makes sense if you think of it as the current EHCP being amended/edited rather than the EHCP being rewritten from scratch.
Where we've indicated that online or in-person tutoring might be an option, do we need to list specific tutors we want to use? I haven't managed to narrow it down that precisely! And I also expect the LA will push back with their own recommendations for providers.
If you know who you would like to use, you can say, but don’t worry if you don’t. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got all the details at this point. You don’t need to know the exact tutor you will use at this point. Similar for things like knowing their exact availability, which may not even be the same by the time the EHCP is finalised.
Also, while it can be helpful, especially since many have to appeal and it can be helpful in preparation for an appeal too, as I said in my pp, you can’t be forced to do what I suggested in my pp. The LA is responsible. So if it is overwhelming or you can’t do it all, don’t panic.
Could this be fine-tuned at draft stage? Will we get to see a draft before it's finalised?
If the LA propose to amend, and they must do if the school has given notice, they must inform you within 4 weeks of the AR meeting and send you the notice of amendment/amendment notice/draft. They must give you at least 15 days to comment on the proposed amendments.
can I just have a dedicated providers section in section F
The main goal is to have all "approved"/"agreed" providers in section F so that we have the flexibility to move between providers as DS is able.
Providers must not be named in section F. Case law is clear on this. The provision to be provided should be described in F, but providers cannot be named. Providers can be named in J. Flexibility can still be included in F though.
You don’t have to be limited to providers on the LA’s approved providers list/AP catalogue.
Do I need to list them with each corresponding provision…Is repeating them necessary?
You can do it however you want. I personally repeat information. That’s so there is no ‘misunderstandings’ about what provider covers what provision and so information doesn’t get lost when LAs cut and paste when they say they agree to certain things and not others.
Is it likely that the LA would agree to put it all in a PB for us/the EOTAS coordinator to manage? There are some defined periods of therapeutic intervention/EF coaching/mentoring that I guess could be paid directly by the LA, but given the flexibility we need with learning resources, I thought it might make more sense for us to manage it through a PB.
Here I think you mean direct payments? DPs are one way a PB can be paid. You can request DPs and the LA should comply unless they believe you aren’t capable of managing the monies, you would use the funds inappropriately, it would negatively affect other LA services or it is an inefficient use of resources. How likely the LA is to agree to DPs depends on the LA and the provision. Having DPs doesn’t automatically bring greater flexibility. It will depend on what is agreed and what is in the DPA. For example, even with DPs, some people have to get permission to change providers.