How can I push for EHCP?

[Blossom4538]

I’m thinking we need to push for EHCP. Dd has no ASD diagnosis as yet, likely to get hfa I believe. She has other needs. School don’t seem keen on applying at the minute and it’s almost like waiting for the disaster to happen before applying! They said we can start to record any struggles and start to make a case. They don’t seem too keen though, but I know there are children with fewer needs with EHCP at the school.

Any tips pls - she is Year 2

Thanks

You can apply for an EHC Needs assessment yourself.

www.ipsea.org.uk/what-you-need-to-know/ehc-needs-assessments

Hi, I’ve heard that but read that school doing it carries more weight?

The more evidence you have from the school, among others the better - but you are better off driving the process yourself, by putting in the request for assessment!

The school might tell you they are going to put in a request for assessment for an EHC plan, and then not get round to it for weeks/months; or the paperwork they send in, is inadequate!

School probably aren't keen for all sorts of reasons, such as financial - but these are not your concern! Your concern is that your DD's needs are met, in accordance with the law!

I think it’s a myth that the school applying carries more weight- I actually think the council perpetuate the myth to stop people applying themselves!

We applied ourselves. We used evidence out of school groups, speech and language reports and every other single report we could find. Our son didn’t have a diagnosis at that point either (he does now, asd). The main thing you need to focus on is that they are unable to access the curriculum because of xyz- sensory needs, difficulties processing info, social and emotional problems etc etc. Don’t just focus on the academic side of things.

I also want to apply for an EHCP for my dd. The SENCO is not against applying, but not wholeheartedly pushing it either. However, she has said (and we have begun) 2 official terms of review to show in the assessment that they have put interventions in place and why they are not working. I do think it would difficult to prove that the school has tried everything within their resources/capability without having them onside with the application. Having said that, it may also be because we're in a notoriously bad area for assessment. I've also been told they won't consider assessment unless we want our child to go to a special school.

The criteria for assessment are simply whether your child has or may have SEN, and may need special educational provision through an EHCP. That in turn depends on whether her needs can be met within normal mainstream resources, and evidence about whether she is making progress will be relevant. Bear in mind that it's not just academic progress that is relevant, they also need to consider things like communication, motor and sensory needs, and emotional, social and mental health needs.