Assessments for EHCP and summer holidays

[HHH3]

LA agreed to assess on Tuesday. As well as contacting all professionals involved they're also arranging Ed Psych, OT and Physio.

DS is at nursery and obviously there's only 3 weeks left of term. In September he'll be starting at a new nursery.

What are the timescales for the assessments to be done? 3 weeks is cutting it fine but I'm not sure assessing him when he's just started at a new setting in September is a good idea. He'll be very compliant at first as it's all new so they won't get an accurate picture of him. Once he feels comfortable there he'll be a very different child!

No, no - I'm not expecting the whole thing done in 3 weeks. I'm wondering how long they have to do the assessments. They agreed to assess in 5 weeks, I know they have 20 weeks in total but that's to come up with a draft and finalise as well isn't it? Not 20 weeks just to complete assessments. So at what point do they have to get the assessments done and decide whether they'll issue an EHCP?

It was me who applied for it.

Thanks for the link - that's really helpful. So they have until week 14 which is 30th August. Which means any assessments that need to be done/him observed at nursery need to be done before the end of term.

He's only seen SALT and CDC. The others are what the LA are requesting.

Child Development Centre - where he saw the paed and was then referred to genetics.

SALT are behind it. Haven't seen CDC for a few months so they don't know about it.

Yes, SALT and paeds reports. SALT are now going to do a proper assessment.

Genetics appt and bloods were done after the application had already gone in and now waiting for results. Although I've kept the LA updated about what's happening.

LA are arranging Ed Psych (guessing this is the most important one to do at nursery). Not sure if nursery could arrange it but I can find out.

Good plan. I'll suggest that!

When they agreed to to assess a 12 week meeting should have been agreed. This is the meeting where the draft is discussed between professionals, parents & LEA.
However usually they do not agree to assess until they have a completed EHCP request ( that highlighights needs etc) have they received this and agreed to assess? I ask as timescales depend on the exact stage you are at now.

highlights

Yes, it's been to panel and they've agreed to assess. She did mention a meeting but didn't say when.

They have 20 weeks from when the request to assess went in, so if they took 6 weeks to make the decision to assess they have another 14 weeks from now. However, there's something in my mind about a 4 week time extension over the summer holidays if they need more information from the school.

Do you know if that extension only applies for getting more info from schools? Because he's starting a new setting in September so that wouldn't really apply in our case.

It's for getting all the advices in as over the summer educational professionals are not as accessible.
I would ask the nursery to chase up the 12 week meeting date as it is always planned in advance ( the request form asks for potential dates)