EHCP - Agreed to Assess - What now? Tips please....

[tartanterror]

Having been told by uncle-tom-cobbly-and-all that we'd be refused an assessment, I'd been reading up on appeals - but the LA have agreed to assess within the statutory 6 weeks. We are delighted but now feel unprepared!

We have been sent a pile of forms asking vague questions like "What do people admire most about me?" How do we answer? Do we chop up the evidence already submitted and try to fit it into their form? Any sage advice gratefully received.

That sounds like the 'all about me'/ child's view part. My DD is older but she filled it in with help (and a lot of promoting I think) from her keyworker.

Id ask the senco for help?
Here we are near the end of the assessment and have a meeting next week for draft plan, the ed psych went through those questions with dd.

Slightly tricky - DS is 7 and doesn't yet know about his ASD diagnosis. He thinks all the appointments are just more of the many he has had about eating problems! So any questioning will have to be indirect....

An NHS person called me to offer the number for our local SEN citizens advice after a chat with our SENCO as she said our DS was not a priority for support ...... The school haven't supported our application so I may have to look into a CAB independent supporter instead?

MENCAP did offer to help us fill out section A. We didn't need their help, as ds was able to answer.

I think even if you ds doesn't know about his dx, he could still answer the questions, if able.

Ours was a history of ds/parents views. Then questions such as likes, dislikes, I communicate best when.....

www.ipsea.org.uk/what-you-need-to-know/ehc-needs-assessments/what-happens-during-an-ehc-needs-assessment

This might be helpful

The government have funded independent supporters to help families through the process! Google your area and independent supporter.

Also use IPSEA they have a call back service which is useful!

I changed the questions on Dd3's "All about me" because it was partonising and not related to her in anyway because she is home ed and it asked lots of questions about school! The process is meant to be child led so if you need to change it just do it.

Good luck

If they have sent the family conversation, get as much as you can in there as this is your best chance to have your say

Thanks all
I should have thought to look at IPSEA - doh! I'd downloaded the refusal to assess pack in anticipation but hadn't checked out if the had more positive things. Can you tell I was taken by surprise?!

What is the "family conversation"?

My la does 'my story' which basically asks to say strengths, what works well, what needs to change and what those changes will mean for each area of Sen. (Cognitive, friendships etc)

I always think when doing the all about me it's good to keep it positive. So about the child and what things adults do that helps and how that helps him achieve etc