SEN questions

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My son was recently seen by the educational psychologist. The report is 8 pages long . I don't really understand it all.

It seems to be a plan on how he's going to get support in school. A 121 is not mentioned. But they do mention a learning support assistant, several times ? Is this another word for a 121?

I also thought this was a echp? But that's not mentioned at all.

It sounds as though he has had a needs assessment.

With the needs assessment, the child is seen by an ed psych, and usually speech and language / occupational therapy as well, and they each do a report saying what if any his needs are.

They then decide whether or not an EHCP should be issued. The decision might be that they can meet his needs without the extra funding or specialist support you get with an EHCP. Or it might be to issue an EHCP. You have a right of appeal if you think their decision is wrong.

A LSA is a teaching assistant who often works with a number of children in the class. Your son might need the LSA's support just for one lesson - or for transitions - or for playtime - or he might need 121 support. 121 support doesn't necessarily mean full time 121, it can sometimes just be for flashpoints in the day. My child has 121 at lunchtime and other times but not all the way through the school day.

Have a look at the SEN board on here, and speak to the school SENCO to find out exactly what is going on, because although it sounds like he's having a needs assessment that's only a guess on my part!

An EP assessment isn’t the same thing as an EHCNA (the needs assessment prior to the LA issuing an EHCP or not). An EP assessment can be undertaken outwith the EHCP process. But when an EHCNA is carried out it must include an EP assessment.

Did you or school apply for an EHCNA?

A LSA can be another way of saying a TA but unless it specifically states that support will be 1:1 any EHCP issued won’t state 1:1 either as provision in EHCPs is taken from the reports, and without 1:1 being specified and quantified in the EHCP DC is unlikely to receive 1:1.

This is the first page I have covered personal info. I thought the school were applying for EHCP. I have never heard of EHCNA.

If you look at the first sentence under the bit you've covered you'll see it is info in support of an EHCNA.

The EHCNA is the assessment of what the needs are, prior to issuing (or refusing to issue) an EHCP.

The school have begun the EHCP process. An EHCNA is the needs assessment before the LA decide whether to issue an EHCP or not. Schools and parents request an EHCNA. Have a look at the information on IPSEA and SOSSEN’s websites.

As part of the EHCNA the LA must seek advice from:
“a) the child’s parent or the young person;
b) educational advice (usually from the head teacher or principal);
c) medical advice and information from a health care professional;
d) psychological advice and information from an educational psychologist;
e) advice and information in relation to social care;
f) advice and information from any other person the local authority thinks appropriate;
g) where the child or young person is in or beyond year 9, advice and information in relation to provision to assist the child or young person in preparation for adulthood and independent living; and
h) advice and information from any person the child’s parent or young person reasonably requests that the local authority seek advice from.”

H can include things like SALT and OT.

Ah that makes sense thank you to the above posters . 😊