EHC Needs Assessment agreed

[KisstheTeapot14]

Just had confirmation, awaiting formal letter.

What happens now (with one month to go before end of school)?
Do I need to tell LA about 2 week hols we have booked over summer?

Excited and a bit nervous. Hope this results in a strong workable plan for DS.

In the formal letter the LA send out there should be a date by which all further information/reports should be submitted. This is normally 6 weeks from when the assessment was agreed. However it can be extended over the summer, due to schools being closed.

*9.41 The following specific requirements apply:
• Local authorities must give their decision in response to any request for an EHC needs assessment within a maximum of 6 weeks from when the request was received or the point at which a child or young person was brought to the local authority’s attention
• When local authorities request information as part of the EHC needs assessment process, those supplying the information must respond in a timely manner and within a maximum of 6 weeks from the date of the request
• If a local authority decides, following an EHC needs assessment, not to issue an EHC plan, it must inform the child’s parent or the young person within a maximum of 16 weeks from the request for a EHC needs assessment, and
• The child’s parent or the young person must be given 15 calendar days to consider and provide views on a draft EHC plan and ask for a particular school or other institution to be named in it
9.42 Where there are exceptional circumstances, it may not be reasonable to expect local authorities and other partners to comply with the time limits above. The Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014 set out specific exemptions. These include where:
• appointments with people from whom the local authority has requested information are missed by the child or young person (this only applies to the duty on partners to comply with a request under the EHC needs assessment process within six weeks)
• the child or young person is absent from the area for a period of at least 4 weeks
• exceptional personal circumstances affect the child or his/her parent, or the young person, and
• the educational institution is closed for at least 4 weeks, which may delay the submission of information from the school or other institution (this does not apply to the duty on partners to comply with a request under the EHC needs assessment process within six weeks)

9.43 The child’s parent or the young person should be informed if exemptions apply so that they are aware of, and understand, the reason for any delays. Local authorities should aim to keep delays to a minimum and as soon as the conditions that led to an exemption no longer apply the local authority should endeavour to complete the process as quickly as possible. All remaining elements of the process must be completed within their prescribed periods, regardless of whether exemptions have delayed earlier elements.*

As there are 4 weeks to the end of term hopefully there should be enough time for any additional assessments to be arranged before the holidays. Professionals may then have until early September to issue reports. A planning meeting to draft the EHCP should be held shortly after this. I’d wait for the formal letter and then follow up with your caseworker to confirm the timeline. I’d mention your holiday too, but it shouldn’t cause any issues.

Good luck, I hope it all goes smoothly.

Thanks Magic. Will do.

He has had a lot of assessments by OT and other NHS teams since Sept last year so hope these will provide good info and LA will seek further advice as needed. Just EP really, who has done report earlier in year but there are things I would like follow up on.

Fingers crossed.

Just out of interest how do the professional reports translate to actual action - e.g OT says he would benefit from exercises to strengthen core and shoulder stability. Currently does general motor skills sessions about 4 hrs in a week with a junior TA (no special needs training, in fact last year was in another role but training to be TA)

Can I stipulate that I would like at least this amount of time spent on specifics from report - with an outside OT/Physio?

One question is - since he won't be seen by NHS OT until end of Y6 (currently Y4) who can assess his progress? Can EHCP put this? Who assesses and when - ideally annually, to feed into review?

Should I let any of the NHS crew (several teams) know that assessment will go ahead and what would be useful from them. Some have given good practical guidelines for practice of skills - like SALT and eye specialist. Others no practical guidance on management (medical team for continence) within school. One consultant had no idea what EHCP even was!! Lots of them have given broad advice but not specific to EHCP. Should I direct LA to ask them all for specific EHCP advice or not?

I don't want to interfere in the process but neither do I want the LA calling the shots for DS's independent teams/advisors. I want them to know the stakes and to 'help' the LA to really be specific on addressing needs. There is already a lot of vagueness I find (e.g. SEN meetings at school - targets very airy fairy)

One more thought, should I request school tell me if any assessments are being done there and for me to be present?

Think I read I'm legally allowed to be there. Don't trust LA and want to make sure I get my say on DS's issues.

Am I being a total control freak?

You can ask, but I don't think you can insist. That's because some assessments won't necessarily give accurate results if your child is conscious of your presence. If you want your say, most experts would expect to talk to you anyway, but if not you can always ask for their contact details or just send your thoughts in writing. They have to be sent a copy of your assessment request and any evidence that was lodged with that anyway.

great. I meant to talk to them, not neccessary. to sit next to DS whilst assessed. Although this is usually what happens in NHS assessments.