EHC Plans

[Unistudent15]

I am a third year undergraduate student studying Education. My dissertation is based on the new SEND code of practice (2014), and more specifically the new Education Health and Care plans that have been implemented.

As part of my field research, I would greatly appreciate any views regarding the plans. For example, how people are finding the transition to the plans, whether people are satisfied with them, whether they really give parents and children a voice, or how they compare to statements etc.

Many thanks!

Have you tried approaching people like SOS SEN and IPSEA?

Have completed the pilot with DS , being this, there was plenty of explanation
and parent involvement lots of meeting's, study, parent and child participation., seminars etc , etc, As this was a pilot feel the same should be afforded too ALL. Is very complex and detailed with several drafts too be addressed.
Completed were able too follow up Medical issues and support in addition too what is already in place, Also Further Genetic investigations too the Genetic Clinic which are ongoing . Not that this will make a great impact on his Education. But should help too understand his condition when he moves on from school into Adult Education and Services, More so for a children who do not present a visual problem.
In All for us it was very positive result. But feel priority should be with a realistic School and Parental Partnership. , for all concerned.

I was given 14 days to respond to my son's over the xmas period which is bad timing I feel. Also, they aren't addressing the issues regarding school transport to special schools, as it seems a lot of local authorities are trying to wiggle out of their responsibilities in this area due to austerity cuts. I feel very strongly that this should be part of the plan and some other parents have it in their plan, but we can't have it in our plan even though I have asked for it to be.

Firewalkwithme Have you contacted SOSSEN.org.uk or IPSEA.org.uk who offer great advice on EHCP and give information about them that isn't readily available elsewhere. 14 days over the Xmas period is not acceptable and you would have been within your right to request an extension to this.

My daughter has severe Visual Stress and problems with focussing. She needs text size 32 bold, double spaced, in order to read. She has bifocals, coloured filters on her glasses and two sets of overlays, (all of which do not compensate her fully). She also has dyslexic tendencies but is not failing at school. I would like to know if anyone has managed to get an EHCP for Visual Stress? Thank you x

My ds ehcp went to panel for what school he'll get and still haven't received draft copy, so don't even know what's been asked for or what provisions they have asked for!!

Do you want an answer from a professional rather than parental pov?

Our feedback is that the system / process of applying for an EHC is very much better than applying for a Statement but the main issue still remains that there is no-one to guide (most) parents through the whole process, and, most importantly, there is nowhere near the amount of specialist provision needed / requested. So loads of dc end up either without a school place or with a completely inappropriate one. So the old problem remains that parents just have to spend their lives fighting for what should be a very basic entitlement of a school place. It's far more of a problem than the process of getting an EHC Plan, IME.

Our transfer from statement to ehcp began 9 months ago, the draft copy that I've just received is laughable, I am not impressed by the excuse I have been given. The law obviously doesn't apply to local authorities because apparently most if not all are failing to complete transfers within the allotted timeframe and they are getting away with it.

If you don't want them to get away with it, tell them that if they don't finalise you will start judicial review proceedings. If necessary, get SOS SEN to do a formal warning letter which is the first stage in the process.

Received an appalling draft after 24weeks from LA, despite chasing it myself several times. No new assessments, outcomes not SMART, provision linked to outcomes and not needs. This was a transfer from statement.

Head of department rang one week later saying they need to finalise this draft because of the time limit! Lots of lies about adding in reports and it being an interim plan which doesn't even exist. Have made them back down now and complete new reports and a further draft.

IME the system isn't great and in this LA designed to screw over the parents and YP.