EHCP?

[dogdaysandcatnights]

Can anyone explain (I know it may be obvious, but it is not clear to me) the benefits of an EHCP?

We have a Community paediatrician referral (accepted just awaiting date) for what is looking like ASD/PDA/Sensory Processing & a CAMHS referral (accepted just awaiting next steps) for severe anxiety/self harming for our 6 year old.

But on each form/questionnaire it says include an EHCP if you have one, but I thought the diagnosis would come before the EHCP.

My son is on half days at school.

I am not sure what a EHCP does, except state needs on a universal form? Does it open up doors to funding? Sorry if this is obvious, this is all new to me & increased in momentum in the last two weeks & just want to get as much knowledge as possible.

Thank you

I would think any child who is only doing half days due to additional needs should have an EHCP.

It is a legal document securing what provision for support should be in place and yes it often comes with additional funding for the school.

Have a look at the local offer for your LA for more details. School should be able to start the process or you can do it yourself

It's a document which, if it's done properly, draws together all the relevant information on what the child's learning needs are and the support required to meet those needs. In practical terms, in many cases it will mean that the school/college etc gets extra funding to ensure they can meet the needs. The main advantage is that, provided that support is properly detailed and specified in section F, it is your child's legal entitlement and, if it's not supplied, it's relatively easy to enforce its provision.

SOS SEN do some very useful booklets on the assessment process, what should be in an EHCP, and other relevant topics. Information on this page - sossen.org.uk/news.php

Thank you

Posted too early!

Thank you both for replying. We have three big appointments with three different groups (CAMHS, Community Consultant & ADHD assessment) over the next few months which will hopefully give a diagnosis or rule out some suggestions.

After that I think we need to move forward for the EHCP, but will read the links and more about the process in the mean time.

He may need a one to one or to continue with part time schooling as currently not coping with the normal day in a normal (supportive) setting.

Hard to not feel sad about the reality.

Just reviving this to update our journey & to thank for the advise about an EHCP - I had no idea before & don't think I have read anything other than about the process since!

So we applied for an EHCP and have been informed the first part of the process has been approved, so the needs assessment will happen in the next 6 weeks as well as other assessments.

So relieved we are moving forward -

After writing in the summer that we had appointments due, we only saw CAMHS (who discharged us as they felt self-harm & anxiety was probably from ASD - although no diagnosis of that) and said ASD team will sort it all out in a few months...then informed first available appointment for first possible ASD assessment would be Spring 2019!

So we decided to just move forward and apply for EHCP to get support and plan for school as still not able to access school full time as well as not making any actual progress.

Happens to have a very spiked profile so managed to coast but gap widening, so my fingers are crossed for part two of EHCP and hoping that it converts to final EHCP.

Good news. You may need to push for the right assessments. Usually with ASD it's necessary to have a speech and language report, and presumably in your case one from an occupational therapist with qualifications in dealing with sensory problems.

@Miscible the lady that rang to say we would be moving forward with the application and certain assessments would be taking place within 6 weeks then final decision...said that he would be seen by OT, medical consultant & an Ed Psych - can I ask for an additional assessment from SALT?

She rang us Tuesday but awaiting the letter with the details.

Yes, you can. Quote Regulation 6(1) of the SEND Regulations 2014 to them.

Ok will do - they have said the start of the 6 weeks is Monday so they will issue the letter then. So when I get that I will reply adding SALT to list. Thanks for advise.

It’s a legal document and binding. My son is 20 and we are currently going through a tribunal as LA are attempting to cease to maintain his. They have no grounds at all to do so. The solicitor has said his ehcp basically isn’t worth the paper it’s written on as it’s unquantified and not specific. My advice to parents is to be very mindful of what’s in the EHCP. Make sure if he needs speech therapy fir example it’s written in there and it’s delivered by a SALT. We are learning the hard way how important the wording is.

Does anyone know when the LEA should inform us of the EHCP will go ahead - after being told the assessment stage would go ahead, we have now finished that 6 week stage of gathering assessments and having some? So wondered when we would hear?

I have emailed our contact but no reply to date? We are 6 weeks & 3 days, so presume we should be told soon.

?

The LA must notify the parent or young person of their decision whether or not they will issue a plan within a maximum of 16 weeks from the request for assessment.If they decide to issue an EHCP it should be issued within 20 weeks of the initial request.

You need to keep tabs on them as far too many LAs do not stick to the legal timeframe. It took 40 weeks for them to decide they weren't going to issue an EHCP for our son after leading us up the garden path for months beforehand!

Loads of info here:
www.ipsea.org.uk/what-happens-in-an-ehc-needs-assessment

@Ellie56 thank you for this.
🤞

We have been told we will be getting the EHCP and having a meeting to create a draft. So grateful for this board and everyone's help & signposting to sites etc.

Now I just need to get my head around the funding.