Is it worth getting an EHCP?

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I've been investigating an EHCP for my 11 year old who has autism.

I've just paid an eye watering amount of money for advice, following the council's decision to refuse to assess. The advice is just to spend more money, on more reports.

Is this worth pursuing? I'm happy to fork out if it will help my child, but I need to be sure it will, before spending several more thousand.

Any advice? Those who have EHCPs, has it helped your child?

Child will be transitioning to a state secondary soon.

Yes it is worth it , but only if it is done properly. Too many EHCPs are not worth the paper they are written on.

Basically the reports are used to write the EHCP. If you have vague and woolly reports, you will have a vague and woolly EHCP which is very difficult, if not impossible to enforce. Independent reports are usually far more detailed and specific than LA reports.

It took us the best part of two years to get an EHCP for our son, but it opened the door to a fantastic specialist college for students with autism. He went there for 3 years and achieved far more than we ever thought possible.

Start with appealing the refusal to assess. Around 90% of parents win refusal to assess appeals.

Advice and information here:

www.ipsea.org.uk/refusal-to-assess-appeals

I agree with Ellie. In my opinion it is always worth getting an EHCP. A good EHCP is worth its weight in gold. DS1 and DS3 have both benefited greatly from theirs, subsequently we all have benefited.

The vast majority of refusal to assess appeals are upheld. You don’t need to spend thousands on legal fees if you don’t want to/can’t afford it, especially at this stage. IPSEA and SOSSEN are good resources as is MN. If you do want to pay for help SOSSEN offer reasonable fees for e.g. drafting reasons for appeal.

The advice to spend money on reports is sound, it is the reports that win appeals. If you are struggling to afford them contact Parents in Need, who can sometimes help fund them.