ECHP advise

[MohawkMum]

Hi everyone this is my first thread, I joined because I didn’t know who to ask for advise. My 11 yo son was diagnosed with T1 diabetes like his sister nearly 2 years ago when he was at primary school and they collected him and helped him with his diabetes. He even had a teacher go to PGL with him to take care of him but since he returned from PGL he’s been on a downward spiral with his mental health. He is currently sleeping in bed with me and is scared of being alone even in his bedroom, he thinks he might get kidnapped and never wants to be away from us. We have had to pull him out of school as they couldn’t help him and he was having panic attacks about going to school, he has massive anxiety and depression for a kid. I have spoken to his GP and they referred him to step 2 who phoned and made an assessment over the phone, they said it sounds like he has separation anxiety and anxiety and depression so we are now on a waiting list for some help. I wondering if it would be possible to get a ECHP for him or if that is reserved for kids that are worse off than him? I think if he has his own TA offering support he may be able to return to school. I also wanted to ask about DLA, he currently receives middle care rate for his diabetes but with his bad mental health and the fact he has to be with me 24/7 would it be worth asking them for a renewal form? I don’t currently have any documentation for his mental health and am not sure where I could get any from? Step 2 gave up a points score regarding his anxiety but I don’t think that was a diagnosis. Sorry this is so long x

It is a shame you have already deregistered, parents often find it easier to get support when on a school’s roll even if their DC isn’t attending. This is because when on a school’s roll you are, crudely, someone’s ‘problem’, whereas when EHE it is too easy for professionals to brush a child’s needs under the carpet. If DS couldn’t attend school the LA had a statutory duty under s.19 the Education Act 1996 to make alternative arrangements. By EHE the LA will say you are making suitable alternative arrangements and they are relieved of their duties.

I suggest you tell the LA you no longer wish to EHE and they need to make arrangements to provide alternative education for DS because he cannot attend school.

Simultaneously apply for an EHCNA, IPSEA have a model letter you can use. The threshold for an assessment is relatively low - - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP.

For DLA LRC is given for “help for some of the day”, MRC for “frequent help or constant supervision during the day, supervision at night or someone to help while they’re on dialysis”e, and HRC for “help or supervision throughout both day and night, or they’re terminally ill”. So if DS needs help or supervision throughout the day and night you can submit a change of circumstances request. However, be aware the award can go down as well as up, however unlikely that may seem in this situation. If you don’t already get it you may be able to get LRM too.

For evidence of DS’s needs you can ask for copies of DS’s medical records which should have the referrals and notes in. Also a SAR to the school.