Barnet EHCNA Form 15 pages long - anyone have experience with it?

[SpaceInvader321]

We're looking into requesting a needs assessment through our LA. I was hoping a version of the IPSEA template letter would suffice, but I've now discovered that my borough has a a 15-page form online that they require. It asks for educational assessment results as well as details provided by the school of what provisions/interventions they have put in place and evidence of Assess, Plan, Do, Review.

DD's secondary school has been pretty useless so far and doesn't even have a SENCO. They haven't done any Assess, Plan, Do, Review. I initiated a referral from our GP last year (before Y7) and I then informed the secondary school that DD was waiting for an autism assessment and I outlined the areas where she struggles. They really haven't done much for her so far, so I was figuring we would have to proceed without them and request the NA ourselves. Would that make it less likely for the request to be approved?

IPSEA’s model letter is sufficient. The LA may then ask you/school for more information, but they can’t refuse to accept your request for an EHCNA because you haven’t completed their form and the 6 weeks to notify you whether they are going to assess or not will still start from the model letter.

It is often harder when the school isn’t supportive, but it is still more than possible so don’t let that put you off.

There can be a lot of time wasted fighting with LA on which form of EHCNA request they will accept.
I just did our local LA one. While it was a chore the question did really help in thinking about all the child's needs.

As their form is not a legal requirement you can skip sections you don't want to answer

I’ve just submitted one to my LEA (not Barnet) and used the IPSEA model letter. I got a reply saying I needed to complete their application form. I did and I basically copied and pasted info from the letter and gave the other bits of info they wanted. Then they hit me with a “Child’s Story” where they wanted me to give loads of info about my son and his background, health, education etc etc. plus the family’s story and our aspirations for him and his aspirations etc etc
I did complete it all and sent it back after a few days but the date on the letter they sent me was still 6 weeks from the original date they received my first letter, so I couldn’t complain at that.
What my LEA did tell me was that their form was usually completed by the school, so some of the questions seem a bit odd when being completed by the parent. They told me to complete what I could. I believe they will get in touch with the school for all the info they should be providing, though sounds like your child’s school isn’t too hot on all that.
Good luck with your request - mine went in on Valentine’s Day! My son is due to transition to secondary in September so really hoping the request is accepted. We find out school places on 1 Mar and I’m really nervous.

I spent a really long time completing this form ( not Barnet), but I think it wasn’t worth the time and stress. Complete it briefly to comply with the requirement, but don’t waste ages doing it..if they refuse to assess, get a mediation certificate and appeal straight away. Honestly I think that these forms are just a delaying tactic. Good luck

I refused to complete the form and referred to the law. The LA backed down and treated it normally