Should I Be Concerned About this EHC Speech Assessment?

[BaiQian]

My (non-verbal) kid is getting assessed for an EHCP at the moment and we just had a call from the speech and language consultant/specialist/whatever who asked a bunch of questions over the phone. Fine, but surely they should see the child too to assess them? It doesn't sound like there will be a followup face-to-face. I'm concerned about this... is that normal or ok?

I'm panicking!

It’s unlikely the report will be sufficiently detailed, specified and quantified. I would push for further assessment.

Thank you so much!

We had an EHCP assessment for our yr 5 son. The local authority just did a Ed psych assessment ( trainee Ed psych) - very basic on top of the OT and dyslexia assessment supplied by us.
We ended up appealing the EHCP as it did not meet the needs of our child. We have since paid for independent SALT, a more extensive OT and a independent educational psychologist report. Any report commissioned by the local authority is aimed at the local authority agenda. An independent report will look at all aspects of the child's needs without any biase from the local authority.
An independent report will always be more detailed and specify the need in a more detailed manor. The key details you need to look for are the wording. The reports need to say ' X will need 2 hours of 1: 1 support 4 times per week' . If they simply say ' X may need support each week' , they are worth nothing if you go to tribunal.
Good luck, I am nearing the end of my ds journey and it has been a long one. We started our fight in yr 1 and as of 5th September paying for a specialist placement while we wait for the final hearing in Oct. Keep records of all emails , all reports and minutes of every meeting- it will help in the long run.

Thank you so much for your advice! It sounds like we are going to have to scrape together money for independent assessments then. I have lost all faith in the current assessors after the aforementioned SALT wrote back today saying my non-verbal, deeply disabled son just needs 90mins therapy a term :/

Best of luck to you and your ds as you reach the finishing line! I can't believe how long you've had to fight... the system is broken...

If you need to appeal, and it sounds like you will, check whether you are eligible for Legal Aid as that can fund independent assessments. If you aren’t eligible Parents in Need can sometimes help.

Personally, I wouldn’t get independent reports done now, because if you need to appeal the reports will be out of date by the hearing. Previously reports up to 2 years old were considered up to date but over the last couple of years SENDIST have considered reports much younger out of date.

If you have reports completed and get the EHCP sorted and then have to appeal, as LargeLegoHaul says your independent reports may be out of date. When you get an EHCP document really check section B and F .They are the most important sections for your child and mist clearly state the needs and give specific quidance to support your child. They are also the sections most likely to be crap thanks to the local authority!!
Wait for now and see what the EHCP comes out like. Then if you are appealing sections B and F get experts. A word of warning it isn't cheap. There are lots of places to get help and advice but if you go down the legal route it can cost thousands. The expert reports can also cost a lot of money as they have to be in a particular format for the tribunal. Good luck with your journey

Thank you both, you have been unbelievably helpful. This whole process has completely confused me so hearing from 'old hands' is invaluable.