Applying for EHCP

[Blossom4538]

Hi all,
We are thinking our DD (Year 2) may need some 1-1. Did you apply or school?
I used to assume school had to do it and the someone advised me (who had been through it themselves) best for US to do it?

DD's struggles are not always apparent (girl, masks) at school although I feel academically, now in Year 2, she may start to struggle.

I wrote to our senco saying roughly, "I think it would be in ds' long term interests to have an EHCP. I am happy to get the ball rolling by doing the parental part. Can I send over the school part for you to fill in when I'm done?"

I was in exactly the same position last year and applied just after Christmas. I had had versions meetings with senco and they never suggested an EHCP but did have some goals for him. All help was instigated by me and school would not have applied or suggested an EHCP it was only when they saw the report of an EP that I commissioned that they supported my application. It is easy to apply yourself and ipsea site is helpful - I think school might have done it but I wanted to be in control of the paperwork and documentation. I used the ipsea template letter, enclosed my EP report and filled out the la form and got a letter from school. The la agreed to assess and appointed lots of professionals to assess him. We had a meeting with all the professionals at school in April and they agreed the ECHP was needed. I went back and fore on the draft a few times and sossen were really helpful to review and check it and I finally got a document I was happy with in July. I am now waiting to see if the provision makes a difference or if we need a specialist setting. The y3 curriculum is challenging and I knew that my DS would struggle to keep up and was keen that we got provision secured as early as possible.

She has help in classroom when required. E.g. t/a noticed she hadn't even started her work the other day and was struggling. Dd doesn't always ask for help and couldn't speak to dd (she has Selective Mutism). She seems to be struggling more in Yr 2 and I'm concerned about future school refusal or increase in anxiety/struggles - particularly going into Key Stage 2.

She does not have an IEP.

School are generally very supportive and she has other nurture groups within school.

She may or may not get ASD diagnosis early next year, at Next Cons Paed appointment.

Thank you, I have a meeting at school this week and will mention my concerns.