Draft EHCP advice

[EHCP22]

Hi again,
Thanks to everyone so far for contributing to my enquiries, especially JustKeepBuilding.

The LA issued a first draft and I’m looking for advice on its contents.

For us the most important provision is ABA and supervision of any intervention by the Behavioural Psychologist, who has monitored DS ABA programs so far. It is no surprise that ABA is not mentioned anywhere in
the plan, but also the 1:1 support is not quantified, it just says high level.

A bit of background information: DS is 4 and has an ASC diagnosis, he received state intervention at his previous setting ( attention bucket, puppets) but really disliked attending since the intervention and went selectively mute. We moved him to a new preschool, without sharing his diagnosis with the new setting, so he didn’t receive any intervention there. He loves going in and he is speaking again, however there are
issues and adult supervision is needed for his own and others safety.
The state intervention is rigid and exclusive, so we want an ABA trained 1:1 to support him at school and for all intervention to be supervised by the Behavioural Psychologist, who knows him.

I would be very grateful if anyone, who has secured ABA as part of an EHCP can share how they achieved this. Any thoughts and advice on the contents is also welcome.

Thank you for reading.

And this is the last page of the plan

Most who have ABA in EHCPs had to appeal for it.

Go through each section point by point, each need should have corresponding provision and outcome. Here is IPSEA’s guide to checking a draft.

It is vague and woolly so isn’t enforceable. For example, not only does it not quantify the 1:1 or anything else it doesn’t e.g. say who will provide it - adults could be anyone. It needs to specify training/qualifications/experience. “Initially” needs removing. “Small group” needs defining. Where’s the provision for DS’s sensory needs. There’s no SALT or OT…

It is rubbish frankly, when finalised you must appeal (unless by some miracle the finalised version is completely different). What are the reports like? If the reports are vague and woolly section F will be too, and is lacking imo.


If it is something you are interested in SOSSEN have a draft checking service, but the draft is so rubbish you might be better off saving your money for appealing.

Thank you very much, JustKeepBuilding. Funny that you mention reports- the initial EP report was issued last spring, it was an inadequate document- diminishing DS needs and difficulties and not giving an accurate picture of his presentation.
The LA refused to issue an EHCP (the decision was heavily based on the report). I explained the flaws of the report to the LA and asked them to commission a different EP, but they didn’t.

I lodged an Appeal and that’s when a different EP came to assess DS at preschool. Surprisingly, she was very understanding and I felt like she was on our side; she said that she will advise the LA that DS needs an EHCP. However she didn’t want to hear about ABA, but she is employed by the LA, so that’s to be expected.
The strange thing is that the LA didn’t want her to issue a report, they agreed to issue an EHCP, but it now seems to be based on the old rubbish report. Perhaps they are saving money by not getting the new EP write a report or it might be something more devious…not wanting a good EP report showing his real difficulties….Anyway thanks so much again for your response.