EHCP

[Kerry987]

I would be grateful for information regarding EHCP. My child has had problems with receptive language and has had speech therapy since 3 years old. School is talking about getting an ECHP?

What are the benefits and also negative implications of having an EHCP?

How does will this affect/benefit the school application? Does the Council gets to decide what school my child attends?

What does the plan will exactly say? is it just to get extra funding to get more support a school.?

How old is your child now?
A EHCP is the method by which the school will hopefully receive funding to allow a 1:1 support assistant to be employed, they would then have specific targets and interventions to follow BY LAW, rather than just by good luck or best endeavours! An EHCP also gives you a "leg up" when selecting a preferred school, either for entry to primary or secondary- basically you get first dibs! You express a preference and the SEND team will usually support your preference, unless there is a very good reason for them not to! There may be a school with a specialist speech and language unit you would like to access, you might find you need an EHCP to get in.
In my county it's a long, involved costly process so a school wouldn't suggest they were applying unless they felt it was needed.

Thank you. That is very helpful. DC is in year 5.

Information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/pages/category/education-health-and-care-plans

I find that year 5 tends to be prime application year. It is I think because many children manage quite well in primary school with SEN support but staff and parents are concerned that secondary school is a whole different kettle of fish and feel,that the extra protection of an EHCP is necessary.

Thank you for all the messages.

Yes, The school only suggested it now even though I have raised the issues many times. It is because of the move to Secondary school and because I am worried about how my child will cope with secondary school. I hope we can get the ECHP

@Kerry987

I would start the application ASAP. Use the IPSEA model letter here:

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

More info here:
www.ipsea.org.uk/asking-for-an-ehc-needs-assessment

Thank you. School said they are going to apply; hopefully they will have more chance. I did not know we could apply directly otherwise I would have tried a few years ago.

How difficult is to get it?

How difficult is to get it?

Hopefully if the school are onside, it shouldn't be too difficult. But you should be prepared to become that parent and fight for your child if necessary.

Thank you. I think I am going to have to become that parent as I don't think my child will cope with secondary school without the EHCP

Just to say an EHCP gives funding for addition al support but this is not necassarily 1:1

No one is that parent for listening to the stress of their child.
EHCP assessment is guaranteed support. It’s only given if felt really needed. What’s to lose

NOT . I meant an assessment is NOT guaranteed support