EHCNA going to panel soon; SENDCO says not enough evidence

[SpaceInvader321]

We put in a parental request for an EHCNA for our Y7 child a few weeks ago.

The school was requested to submit their evidence by next Monday. We just received an email this afternoon from the SENDCO saying, "There is no diagnosis report for ASD, also no OT and SLT assessments. I am not sure that there is sufficient evidence for the EHC Needs assessment without these reports."

Tomorrow is a school strike, so it's sounding to me like the school is either not going to submit anything or they're going to say my DC does not need extra support.

We are submitting the following evidence ourselves: reports/letters from CAMHS referring her for the ASD assessment (we're on a long waiting list); letter from a local mental health org that did an assessment and put DC on their waiting list; letter from primary summarising her difficulties (which, IMHO, they did little to address); DC's attendance report for this year; loads of email correspondence, mostly of us trying to get the school to address DC's issues and needs. Is this enough?

One thing we're really hoping to get across is that her school is not managing to support her sufficiently. If they fail to respond to the LA, would they be making the point for us?

Is it possible that they school will respond saying an EHCNA is not needed? And how much weight would that have?

Unfortunately, it is possible the school will state an EHCNA is not necessary. It is impossible to say how much weight the LA will give this, but it certainly doesn’t help, sadly.

Reply to the SENCO reminding them a diagnosis is not required and neither are OT and SALT assessments.

The bar for an EHCNA is relatively low - a) has or may have SEN, and b) may need SEN provision to be made via an EHCP.

If the LA does refuse to assess, you should appeal. I would submit a SAR to the school to collect evidence in case the LA refuses and you need to appeal.