to think LA can just use my diagnostic reports for EHCNA and just hurry the fuck up?

[ehcpnightmares]

If we have a privately funded reputable OT do an assessment and write a detailed report for an EHCP can LAs just run with that?

Are they going to insist that they or school replicate findings?

Legally an EP will have to do an assessment. The assessment process cannot take any longer than six weeks. Make sure the EP has sight of your OT report.

Thanks @Dillya

Which assessments do they have to do?

I assume they're not going to re-diagnose ADHD and ASD etc. ?

We've already had an EP report from school (which was a bit lame tbh) and we're about to get an OT one.

EPs can’t diagnose those things. Their report will describe background/context, then identify your child’s strengths and needs in each of the four areas of the code of practice. They will then (in agreement with you and school) identify outcomes for your child to work towards in each of those four areas, and describe the provision needed to meet those outcomes. The report will also include your updated views (on support needed, type of school etc) and your child’s views. The more information you can give them (via the LA) the more helpful it’ll be for them.

In terms of assessment, they will meet your child to gather their views. This is an assessment in itself. Anything else will come down to what remaining questions or hypotheses they have, what missing gaps there are (if any). So they may do an observation, a play based assessment, dynamic assessment, cognitive assessment or a SEMH checklist.

A school’s EP report will most likely be in no way as detailed as an EHCNA EP report, but again the LA EP will find it really useful to see what the background is, what’s been put in place already, how it has/hasn’t worked and why etc.

They don’t accept private reports usually and take recommendations only from their own reports hence tribunals. They might cut a deal before it goes that far.