EHCP

[Purpletaco]

My child is currently in the EHC needs assessment process. I have sent off all the reports I have and filled what I needed too, school senco has done the same. His paediatrician has sent off the report. Ep has been out to school and wrote a report just waiting for it to be checked before going on the hub. The deadline is 5th January. The salt report hasnt been done yet and my child had an appointment with the speech therapist today snd she said she will see my child again 5th Jan then will write the report so the report will be late.

What happens is the report is late? Will it still be used in making the decision?

tia

What should happen legally is all the advice and information should be sought within the statutory timescales. Too often LAs/professionals think these don’t apply to them, but they do.

If the LA is going to issue, sometimes the LA will delay issuing the draft when advice and information isn’t yet available. Sometimes they issue a draft, but then issue a second draft and delay finalising. They shouldn’t, but they do sometimes. If the LA issue a draft, then you get the SALT report during the time you are responding to the draft, you can use the SALT report to propose the necessary amendments. Sometimes the LA finalise but tell the parents they will later amend and add the SALT’s recommendations (but they don’t always do what they say they will, so if that happens don’t let your right of appeal lapse). There are lots of possibilities, I’m afraid.

I'll post a link to the support thread.

www.mumsnet.com/talk/special_educational_needs/5309128-ehcp-support-thread-no-5?utm_campaign=thread&utm_medium=app_share

Ex caseworker here. SALT have been aware of the deadline ever since the info was requested. Currently the caseworker will be tearing their hair out working out whether the report will arrive in time for their deadline to submit to the 16 week panel (at least it worked this way in my county). If you know your caseworker, you could ask them to try to chivvy SALT. We used to have to submit to panel a week before the panel date, but could ask the panel chair to add a late report after this time. Hopefully there will be a way to sort it. However, if their pleas are not heard, in my area, which was very strict on the 16 and 20 week dates, the caseworker cannot do a great deal. However, with permission from their supervisor, they may be able to add salient information to the plan.
I am no longer case working as I couldn’t deal with the pressure. Or with being the person everyone blamed when I was waiting for other professionals and was effectively powerless!
I hope this helps to explain the process a little (albeit for my county)