EHCP

[sam871214]

My DD has an assessment for ASD and ADHD at the end of this month, paid privately by me. The school are in complete agreement with me about my concerns. She will be 9 in 3 months and is very far behind at school. I have asked several times about an EHCP but the SENco said she won't get one and that my DD needs to be atleast 2 academic years behind! To support her private assessment I requested where she is and they have said: reading below 7yrs, writing below 6yrs, spelling 0! And maths 7yrs 8months. She has also been screened for dyslexia which came back as significant. I asked her previous teacher how I can teach her and she said "she doesn't know how to teach my DD". At what point is an EHCP needed as I don't want her to fall further and further behind?

@sam871214

The SENCO is talking bollocks. The legal test for an EHC Needs assessment is:

whether the child or young person has or may have special educational needs (“SEN”); and
whether they may need special educational provision to be made through an EHC plan.

If the answer to both of these questions is yes, the LA must carry out an EHC needs assessment.

This test is set out in Section 36(8) of the Children and Families Act 2014).
This means these are the only questions the LA should be asking when considering whether or not to carry out an EHC needs assessment. Anything else like being 2/3 years behind, school having to spend £6000 etc are unlawful.

You can apply for an EHCNA yourself. Use the IPSEA Model letter and send a copy of any reports or other evidence you have:

www.ipsea.org.uk/asking-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

www.ipsea.org.uk/making-a-request-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

To echo @Ellie56 the SENCO is wrong. If school won't apply, you can request Statutory Assessment yourself and then the LA approach the school for information. Your daughter doesn't need a diagnosis for an EHCP either.

Thank you for your replies. So today I got an email from SENco with DD ISP and it states all the provisions they have put in place and on most the outcomes say limited to no progress. Does this back up the need for an EHCP? I've looked at the forms that I would need to fill in if I done it myself but it looks so complicated and I don't know all the answers to the questions, can I send it half filled in? Thanks in advance x

Yes, fill in what you can and leave the rest blank. In my county, the school then has to complete the professional information form which is EXACTLY the same as the information they would have had to supply if they had applied in the first place!

There is no legal requirement to use their form. Use the model letter I linked to above. It sets everything out for you.

I would recommend contacting your local council sendiass team as they are so helpful and can give you advice and assistance with how to fill in the paperwork. x

Hi - I have an almost 10 year old daughter whose just been diagnosed with ASD. Do you recommend trying to get an EHCP for her school (she's currently in private education, but we're considering moving her to a state for her 11+ next year) what are the benefits?

Absolute shite from the SENCO.
You can apply yourself, you do not have to wait for the school.
This was my route.
School raised concerns, no shit Shirley I had been asking for support... a whole other task.
I asked school for a written account do behavior in school to date.
This is so vital they give all information.
It is hard to read, they highlight the worst behavior.
I cried and thought it unfair.
BUT.
GP referred for assessment
It took about 8-9 months
Diagnosis came back.
Took letter to school, but GP send one anyone.
Does your dd have a one plan??? Name may vary depending on local authority.
Individual education plan in some schools
You need three cycles . So three terms.
All evidence that school have tried with success and you apply for an ECHP.
That was the school route.
It is your right to apply if they won’t.
However you need to evidence that behavior happens across at least 2 settings.
That is standard I believe for an ADHD diagnosis.
It’s crap, I didn’t want one for my child but it is the only route to extra funding to support their educational needs.
Best of luck