Likelihood of EHCP success?

[reindeersocks]

Sorry I've posted this in the main SEN board and I should have posted in education.

Hi all.

Would just like some thoughts if you don't mind.

I have a three and a half year old daughter. Since starting playgroup in January it became apparent that she was having difficulties with her social development, though her cognitive development and speech seem advanced. Fast forward a few months and we have a diagnosis of ASD. DD requires one to one support whilst at playgroup at all times and currently cannot manage to be there for her fifteen funded hours.

I'm completing and EHCP application as I know she's going to need support, probably 1-1 come September when she starts Reception. In support of my application I have:

1. A full report and diagnosis from a child psychiatrist at a private clinic
2. A full report and diagnosis from the NHS community paediatrician
3. A summary of her development from birth (written by me) detailing her difficulties from day one
4. Copies of observation sessions by the playgroup SENCO at home and in the setting
5. A report from the SENCO
6. A copy of an observation session from our Health Visitor carried out at the setting
7. Completed questionnaires by me and the setting set by the private clinic

All of this documentation clearly set out DDs needs and support the view that she required 1-1 support whilst in a school setting.

I've completed the application with as much detail as I can, following online guidance and playgroup are doing section 4. They are fab and I know their bit will be supportive of this also.

All seems positive, we've moved from initial concern to diagnosis (mostly because we went private) in a matter of a few short months and all professionals involved are so far in total agreement regarding DDs needs.

However I've still heard EHCPs can be a nightmare to get approved. Anyone got any tips for me? Am I missing anything?

Many thanks!

Hi op,

So you have applied and are waiting to hear if the local authority with assess?

Are you aware of the ehcp assessment process? I can explain and give you some useful links if it would help?

Your initial paperwork sounds perfect. Having the nursery on side is definitely a plus. Unfortunately applying for an assessment is the first hurdle. An assessment takes up to 20 weeks. At the end of this they will either agree to a plan or reject.

Are you in contact with your local sendiass?

We are just about to submit the application, I'm just waiting for playgroup to complete section 4 with me.

SENDIASS are contacting me sometime this week.

Any extra info you could give me would be much appreciated, thank you!

Sounds like you have it sorted OP. The only thing I would suggest is maybe consider an assessment from a speech and language therapist (the assessment will cover receptive as well as spoken language and may make some recommendations re social skills) and also occupational therapist assessment which may highlight any sensory issues.

Info here about the EHC Needs assessments

www.ipsea.org.uk/ehc-needs-assessments

One more thing - make a note of the date the application is sent in.

The LA have 6 weeks to respond to your request. You need to keep on their case as unfortunately as all too many of us know on here, many LAs excel in delaying tactics.

@Ellie56 Thanks. We're currently sourcing a private OT because the NHS waiting list is insane here . I've made note of that on the application. She's previously been referred to a SALT but the Paed stopped it after she saw her - she said her language level/speech/context etc was at approx 5/6 years so there was no concerns there. It is like talking to a little adult. Her cognitive skills are, at this stage, way ahead of her years but her social development is - as you would expect - way behind.

Don't get a private OT assessment just yet. Save that for if you need to go to tribunal and want your own OT report doing. Once the LA agree to assess, which you meet the criteria for, the LA have to carry out any reasonable assessments you ask for - an OT assessment for a child with ASD would be reasonable. If the SALT report is out of date it would be reasonable to ask for a reassessment. Long waiting lists are not a reason not to carry out or delay an assessment. If the NHS can't assess within the time limit the LA should commission an independent assessment.

Have you a report or can you get a report from an educational psychologist. It may be helpful

An EP assessment should be part of the EHCNA, so I would hold off getting your own because it sounds like you have enough evidence to get the LA to agree to assess, and you certainly meet the criteria. I would wait to see what the LA commissioned reports are like otherwise you may get your own EP report but find that the LA EP report is OK but you need better SaLT and OT reports.

Thanks - I don't think we'd go down the Ed psych route just yet anyway, DD is only 3.5 and still at preschool. She starts Reception in September.

An EP assessment should form part of an EHCNA, even for a 3.5y/o. I would try to submit the request ASAP if she starts reception next September.

EPs also see preschoolers and Reception aged children, and the preschool should source it (or at least arrange for it to happen with the LEA paying).