ECHP Success Stories?

[its1oclock]

Evening Everyone

Just about to go through the ECHP process and wondering whether anyone has any positive success stories?

Read a lot of negative articles and forums about how rubbish the LA's are and how they don't stick to deadlines.

I don't want to sound insensitive and take anything away from anyone as I'm sure there are some frankly infuriating issues that do go on when going through the system but surely out of the 1000's and 1000's that get issued there must be some good stories?

Please? I need a bit of hope that I'm not going to be tearing my hear out in 20ish weeks!

I have 2 DC with EHCPs and another going through an EHCNA. It hasn’t been straightforward but is absolutely worth it.

DS1 has a comprehensive EOTAS package with a huge amount of provision that he wouldn’t otherwise receive. Although we do have an upcoming appeal for DS3, his EHCP has also meant a lot of support he wouldn’t have otherwise got.

I have helped lots of other parents, not all have to appeal each stage, and IMO it is worth persevering. As difficult as it is try not to worry about the future. Focus on one step at a time.

We live in Tower Hamlets they kept within timeframe. Ok a couple of issues at the start as we got into the process, but didn't delay anything. The timeframe and process was helpful as it gave me a good idea of how things would progress.

I was happy with the case worker who I spoke to / emailed a few times and really impressed with the Educational Psychologist from the council who did a lot of the work. She had clearly read all reports, plus spoke to school SENCO, visited the school and met my daughter and built a good idea of support required. We had a good chat and she explained what would be helpful and what would actually not help my daughter. I was happy with her report which formed the basis of the plan. School SENCO was also happy with plan. School have been able to put in place the provision (although a lot they were doing already) and I feel happier that it is documented and will be reviewed annually. So yes definitely some good experiences out there.

Hope yours goes as well!

Thank you for the replies! This does give me some hope.

(Just realised its an EHCP and 'hair out!', damn autocorrect on the ipad! 😒)

Yes, school and LA both on the ball.

We moved back to the UK, partly because DD was struggling and SEN support wasn't available in mainstream where we were living. So we have various Ed Psych reports, and the school here had them on admission and gave her a number of assessments and a personalised timetable/introduction plan.

After half a term they had the additional evidence they needed and initiated the assessments. EHCP agreed about 6 months after that, but in practice the school was already providing the support needed.

We were very lucky that we ended up with this LA, and even more with this school who are very proactive.

I had a colleague at a previous job with a child who became highly distressed when he started school and turned out to be autistic. Her local authority in West London were pretty helpful and she got the EHCP quickly.

Probably best to assume the worst and hope for the best though.

And get saving as it's all surprisingly expensive.

I have secondary age twins; both are autistic. One also has learning difficulties.

DT1 (learning difficulties) got an EHCP without much issue (we did have to appeal a refusal to assess but this is standard practice in our LEA). It did not get to tribunal as they conceded early on. He was then issued an EHCP and went straight in to a SEN school from MS primary.

DT2’s application was a long, drawn out nightmare. He is academic and masks a lot. I had to appeal a refusal to assess (again they conceded), then a refusal to issue which took over a year as our hearing was adjourned and then cancelled at short notice. The LEA were both incompetent and downright obstructive throughout. The recommendations from EP were costly and the LEA simply did not want to implement them so we went to hearing. We won.

We then got his EHCP and are now battling to get him in to the same SEN school as his brother after MS went horribly wrong for him. We have an appeal later this year.

IMO if the LEA can get away with issuing a cheap and worthless EHCP , they are more likely to issue (if DC needs one). If it will cost them money, they’ll defend until they lose. It’s been a common tactic amongst various parents I know in our area.