EHCP assessment process

[LiefievdM]

Hi, sorry if this has been dealt with elsewhere recently. LA have agreed to assess My DS (11) for an EHCP. They don't say on the letter which agencies/professionals will assess and are just inviting us to a panel discussion at the end of all the assessments.

My questions are:

1. Can I check/suggest/request that they are involving all the HCPs that I feel need to be involved? Such as SALT and OT for example.
2. Will we as parents be invited to the assessments or do they all take place at school? DS is notorious for saying things like "nothing" "i'm ok" etc blank statements because he takes so long to formulate his thoughts that he just gives up or says everything's fine just to get out of having to answer questions about his needs/difficulties.

Thank you in advance!

1. Yes, I think so. My LA sent me a list of who they would be asking and asked for my comments. They wouldn't request input from a private OT but we're happy to take the report that I got her to contribute.
2. I met with the ed psychologist before she did the assessment, then I saw her draft report, and had a chance to comment before it was submitted. So, not at the actual observation and assessment but feeding in. So i think you could ask for similar.

Thanks for the reply. Doesn't look like my LA is volunteering such a list Cheeky sods.

In the mean time, I've found some good info on Ipsea's website which I will be using to write to the LA this weekend:

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

"Under SEN Regulation 6 (1) an LA must as a minimum seek information and advice on a child or young person’s needs, the provision to meet those needs and outcomes expected to be achieved from the following:
(a) the child’s parent or the young person;
(b) educational advice (usually from head teacher or principal of post-16 institution);
(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 is 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.
Under Regulation 6 (1) (h), a parent or young person can ask the Local Authority to seek advice from anyone within education, health or social care and as long as it is a reasonable request the LA must do so. This can include a speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist or from CAMHS (child, adolescent, mental health services). Once requested the health authority has 6 weeks to respond. A request will be reasonable if a child/young person has been identified as needing an assessment already – such as where they are on a waiting list – or where the has school/college has said it may be needed."

I will certainly be asking for SALT and OT assessment, as we are currently awaiting referrals for these, as well as Camhs.

Thanks again!

Oh, you probably already know this but there has to be an organisation (sendiass) in your L.A. who provide you with advice and support around the EHCP process. If you Google 'Hertfordshire Sendiass ' or find your L.A.'s local offer page on their website, it should direct you to them.

Just saying Herts as an example. From what I read here, hopefully that is not where you are!

Good luck

Thank you! I will have a look