EHCP Assessments - Whose responsibility?

[MissBeck]

I have been asked to request an EHCNA by my child's school, which I am willing to do, but I've spent a few days researching the process before I start. I haven't even registered on the LA's Hub yet (Staffordshire). Just making sure I know what to expect, and this forum has been very informative. My question is:
Who is responsible for arranging things like OT, SALT and Ed Psych? Me, LA or School?
I have no reports at the moment, but she has had two referral for assessments done by CAMHS. One for Autism with CYP Autism Service and one for the Tic Disorder Service at GOSH. We are on waiting lists for them both at the moment.
If I have to request the OT, SALT and Ed Psych, do I do it via the portal once I've registered?
Thanks

If the LA agrees to assess it is the LA’s responsible to seek information and advice from:
a) the child’s parent or the young person;
b) educational advice (usually from the head teacher or principal);
c) medical advice and information from a health care professional;
d) psychological advice and information from an educational psychologist;
e) advice and information in relation to social care;
f) advice and information from any other person the local authority thinks appropriate;
g) where the child or young person is in or beyond year 9, advice and information in relation to provision to assist the child or young person in preparation for adulthood and independent living; and
h) advice and information from any person the child’s parent or young person reasonably requests that the local authority seek advice from.

H can include things like SALT and OT.

IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request an EHCNA. You do not need EP, SALT, etc. assessments prior to requesting an EHCNA.

If the LA agree to assess you can use another one of IPSEA’s model letter at that point to request advice and information is sought under H.

Thanks @Headfirstintothewild
So there isn't a place on the portal to request this? I have to do it in writing seperately?

You can use the portal if you want, but IPSEA’s letter is sufficient. You wouldn’t be requesting specific assessments at this point though. You would be requesting an EHCNA, which the LA may or may not agree to.

@Headfirstintothewild Yes, this is the bit I can't get my head around. Is it the evidence that we (myself, school, CAMHS, Peadiatrician) upload to the portal that they use to decide if they will assess within 6 weeks?

The LA will decide whether they will assess or not based on information from you and they should contact school. They may contact other professionals involved but don’t rely on this.

@Headfirstintothewild Aah, thankyou. I think I've misunderstood the role of the 'portal' in this. I presumed that once registered, I, and all the people I would be adding as contacts/professionals at registration would automatically have access to the portal to upload documents, and it would all be considered from there.

As I posted, other professionals may be contacted, but don’t rely on it even if you add their details.

@Headfirstintothewild Okay. Thanks for replying.

We use a similar portal. If an application for an assessment is made( whether by a parent or by the school) as a school we upload any information we have in support, so any community paediatrician referrals we have made, any medical letters we have received, any and everything we have! It all helps the local authority in their decision whether to assess or not. If they do decide to do so, they then request information from a wide variety of professionals, including an ed psych if needed.

@spanieleyes Thanks for that addition! Can everyone who is uploading evidence see what others have uploaded? For example, if the school upload evidence, could I check what it is in case I upload the same evidence as I always send them copies of anything regarding DD.

Yes, you can on our system. But don't worry if evidence is duplicated, twice is better than not at all! It can be thinned out at a later stage if need be.

@spanieleyes Great! Thanks!

So, following on from my original question, I had the response that they have agreed to an assessment today, but the only people they have listed in the 'people they are asking for advice from' part is the school Senco and the Senco assistant. This was only added at 2.30pm today. No other names at all. Not even the other people who currently work with her (CAMHS, Clinical Pead, Therapist) who were on my original request.

Is this because it is early days, and more could be added, or do I email and request they get added as well? As well as an EP.

Yes, I would certainly check. My local authority automatically consults with community paediatrics, children's services etc and then any specialists involved ( who usually just submit the information they provided which we have already submitted!) and assign either an EP- for cases involving social and emotional concerns- or a specialist teacher- for purely academic issues. Your local authority may be similar or could work on the assumption that you and the school have already provided evidence from specialists so don't need to repeat it! But if you haven't already had EP input, request it!

The LA must seek advice and information from everyone listed in my first post. If you want them to approach anyone under H, including anyone DD has already seen, then you must specifically request that. IPSEA has a model letter you can use. General information from e.g. CAMHS and paeds following normal clinics won’t be sufficient because it will not cover all needs, provision and outcomes in the way necessary for an EHCNA and will not provide enough detail, specificity and quantification.

The LA must seek advice and information from an EP. It may be they haven’t yet assigned DD to a particular EP. Advice and information from a specialist teacher must not be used instead of an EP assessment. That is unlawful.

@Headfirstintothewild Crisis averted! I was too eager. There have been a whole list of names added today, including CAMHS and the EP. I had the letter downloaded ready that you suggested from IPSEA ready, but there is no need. Thank you!

@spanieleyes I had a lovely email off our keyworker today, introducing herself and asking if I wanted anyone else consulted. She also mentioned a shortage of EP's, but there is still one listed on the hub. Thank you!