EHCP Annual Review beginners questions

[TeenPlusCat]

DD (17) got her first EHCP earlier this year, thanks in part to helpful people on MN SN boards.
Anyway, it wasn't great but it was good enough, and I didn't have the energy to try an appeal to get it better. College and I agreed what was important and I'm mainly happy.
It looks like they are planning to do an 'annual review' before the summer holidays.

Questions:

• Who 'runs' the review? College or the LA?


• If college and we agree to drop things does the LA interfere? The Ed Psych added a load of things we think are unnecessary/not a priority / impractical for college to do, and we aren't doing


• if college and I agree to add things does the LA interfere? Since the plan was put in place we have had a dyslexia/dyspraxia assessment done (the Ed Psych wouldn't agree to do one at the time)


• We are awaiting an appointment for a behavioural optometrist but that won't happen until Aug/Sept. Can anything be said upfront such as 'apply such adjustments as recommended by BO provided feasible' or whatever?


• any traps/pitfalls to avoid?

If DD’s EHCP was only finalised earlier this year are you sure the LA plan on holding an AR before the summer holidays? Usually, ARs are held every 12 months unless an early review is needed or it’s a phase transfer year.

The LA are responsible for ensuring the AR is held but as DD attends college the college are responsible for ensuring everyone that needs to be invited is and circulating the relevant information before and after. The LA may not even attend, they don’t always. This IPSEA information explains more about what should happen and when.

The college aren’t the ones who decide whether amendments will be made, that’s the LA. Whether the LA agree to any amendments you and college want depends on what the amendment is, DD’s needs, what evidence you have and your LA.

Provision should not be removed because it is impractical for the college. Provision should be based on DD’s needs, not on what the college can offer or normally provide.

Can anything be said upfront such as 'apply such adjustments as recommended by BO provided feasible' or whatever?

You could, but even if the LA agreed to it, which is unlikely, it would too woolly and vague to be of any use.

If it is being held virtually it helps to have a copy of the EHCP open.

Thank you, that is really helpful.

It is college that have said to me they are planning an annual review for June. DD is on a 1 yr course, with a new 1yr course next year, perhaps that impacts?

The EdPsych bunged a load of 'life skills' stuff in that we don't think are needed, and college can't really do anyway, so I'd be happy to junk them. She needs anxiety and learning support, not money management.

Starting a new course within the same post 16 institution doesn’t count as a phase transfer. While it will be the college that organises and holds the AR the LA tell the college which EHCPs need reviewing in the upcoming term and the LA would have to agree to an early review. If the LA plan to review before the year without any significant issues I would be suspicious.

Is the life skills provision only based on things like money management? Because the scope of preparation for adulthood is far wider and DC with mental health difficulties would certainly benefit in some form. The college are being underhand if they are saying they can’t deliver it - presumably they have mentors/key workers/support staff or could buy in support. It could also be delivered via OT.

Honestly she really doesn't need the life skills stuff, we can do it, it is just working back up slowly as her MH improves.

If they do go ahead with early review I will be wary and ask why. (To some extent it served its purpose as having it allowed her to defer maths resit this summer!)

I would value a review due to the new info
on dyslexia and info on how she has fared since implementation.

It is really helpful talking this through here. Thank you.

Don’t be surprised if the LA refuse to remove the life skills provision because in theory they shouldn’t as the outcome hasn’t been achieved. But if they don’t it doesn’t matter, just don’t enforce the provision if you don’t want it.

With hindsight, the Ed Psych seemed to have an 'agenda' when she did the assessment by zoom. Lots of questions on lifeskills, and none/few on difficulties in the classroom...

It wouldn’t surprise me, LA EP reports are often lacking. Under a different name I think I posted on one of your threads about the EP assessment and how it was lacking with not doing any cognitive testing despite DD’s difficulties.

Ah quite possibly. We have since paid for a private dyslexia / dyspraxia assessment, which confirmed our view that DD has dyslexia & dyspraxia.

I'm still really cross a bit miffed with DD's old school who did screening tests but underplayed her issues in their letter back to us. When we got their scores after I emailed asking for them as part of the EHCP process I was shocked at how low some of them were. No wonder DD found school so tiring even before her MH nosedived.

Well, we have a review date for late June fixed, and a form to fill out with our views which we will do over half term. It is by zoom which is a shame as I would rather do it in person, but it saves the drive.