Whether to apply for EHCP for Dyslexia

[Ara19]

My DD is 8 and started a new school in September just gone. In Oct we had a parents evening and the teacher said my DD might me dyslexic and referred her to the Sendco. I heard nothing after the referral and then that class teacher left. In March this year we had the second parents evening and as the class was in between teachers mine was with the Sendco. I mentioned my DD had been referred to her and that she may have Dyslexia. Sendco said not to fo any test as she was going to do lots of different things and out things in place. May came and Sendco met my DD once and never heard anything else. I applied for a private Dyslexia assessment which the Sendco took weeks to fill out her part of the form. The results came out that DD is dyslexic and scored below average in every part of the tests. The Assessor also mentioned that DD is on the SEN register and I should have at least 2 meetings a year. Should the school not be telling me that my DD is on the sen register and what they are actually putting in place and reviewing in. Currently dd Yr3 is in a phonics group but that is it. She finds most of the work hard. The Sendco works part time which isn't great either and all the promises she made when we met nothing has been done. I am awaiting for the written Dyslexia assessment to come throw but I know the recommendations are not going to be adhered to given the short staff, others with needs etc. The assessor did say she needs lots of movement breaks as she was more focused when she was up rather than sitting which again the school does not currently allow. My dd tells me if she doesn't know the answer in school then just write anything but how does that help her. She is working below average in maths and English although I'm not sure how much. I think by dd having an EHCP it will provide her with the support she needs. How do I go about asking one. Do I just go to the senco and ask for her to apply for an ehcp. I think the school is generally not good for sen in terms if meeting needs as lots of complaints from other children. My assumption is its mostly going to be a no or fobbed or like she did with the Dyslexia assessment. If we applied myself the only evidence I would have is her Dyslexia assessment will that be enough. We are also coming to the end of the school year so is it worth mentioning or doing it now or waiting until she starts in yr4. Thanks

If you want to request an EHCNA you can do that yourself. On their website, IPSEA has a model letter you can use. Although it is a good idea to speak to the SENCO.

If you do request one, whether the dyslexia report will be enough depends on what it includes, and to an extent, who conducted the assessment. The threshold is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP. But even if DD meets that, the LA may still refuse and force you to appeal.

If DD is attending an intervention phonics group, it is likely she is already on the SEN register.

Thank you. DD is currently on the SEN register. She has been on this since last year. She does do small group work as well as in a phonics group but I'm not sure how consistant this is and how much progress has been made. The Assessment was done by a dyslexia charity so I'm not sure what it would include however they did say it will be lengthy as it will include all 9 tests that were done, the results and recommendations. The assessment lasted a few hours so imagine a, lengthy I depth report but not sure. She did mention that I could apply for an ehcp but not sure if that will be mentioned in the report. Could I ask her to put it in there will it make a difference if it is written in the report. DD definitely has SEN which has been agreed by both the school and Assessor.

I will wait for the report to come before speaking with the Senco. My intentions would never be to apply without speaking with the senco first. It was simply to wonder whether I should apply myself after speaking with the senco as I know her answer is not going to be a straight yes. More like let me do some tests, or other recommendations to try and either put me off or say things as a delaying tactic to drag things or fob me off.

So my question really is, is it worth mentioning to the Senco regarding the EHC before the kids break up in July or when they return in September.

In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter whether you request an EHCNA before the school holidays or not. Personally, I wouldn’t wait as nothing is going to change between now and September.

The only thing to be aware of is if it is impractical for the LA to respond within the 6 weeks timescale there is an exception if the LA requests advice from the school when it is closed for 4+ weeks, or in the week before it closes. Or, if you leave the LA for 4+ weeks.

You could ask that the report includes a recommendation for an EHCNA. It may not make any difference, but you have nothing to lose.

Thank you. I have sent an email to the senco stating that I will be applying and will appreciate her support. I will be sending out the letter to the LA on Friday however school break up in 3 weeks. Does this mean I may not get a response until Sept when schools are back to whether they are going to assess or not. Is the time frame 6 weeks to whether they will assess or not and if its a Yes then 6 weeks to assess.

You may not be informed whether the LA is going to assess or not by week 6 if it is impractical for the LA to comply because the LA requests advice from the school when it is closed for 4+ weeks or during the week before they close.

The LA must inform you whether they are going to assess or not by week 6, unless one of the exceptions apply and it is impractical to comply. If the LA agree to assess anyone asked for advice must respond within 6 weeks. If the LA is not going to issue they must inform you by week 16. If they are going to issue they must finalise by week 20 and in order to do so they should send a draft by week 14. Again, unless one of the exceptions applies and it is impractical to comply.