Can you please talk me through the ehcp process?

[elliejjtiny]

After about 4 years of me asking for an ehcp for dc4 (year 2 aged nearly 7) and being told his needs weren't severe enough, we got an email out of the blue from the school senco saying they were going to apply for one for him. We were asked to email back the answers to some questions like what is going well/not well in school and out of school. We were also asked to ask ds who is important to him and what new skills he would like to learn (he said he wants to learn to fly a helicopter ). That was it, no further information. I always thought ehcp's were long and complicated like the dla form. Is the long and complicated bit coming later or are the school doing that part? How long does the whole thing take? Should I reapply for dla for him as he was turned down for that 2 years ago? What does an ehcp mean in practical terms for ds? Should we try and get him into special needs school? He is happy at mainstream primary and has lots of friends and the staff adore him. He just can't cope with the level of work because of his learning difficulties. I'm not sure how far behind he is but he has just gone onto level 5 reading books and he can write but very slowly and has to be reminded how to spell most words.

Hi,
My understanding is that some special needs nursery/school need an EHCP to gain access to these places. The EHCP application is made with supporting info from an NHS paediatrician, existing mainstream nursery SENSO and SaLT/Portage.
Then the council will assign a case worker and decide whether they will grant funding for 1-1 support and also support the EHCP for purposes to access specialist places.
Given your DS can speak, write, and seem to be making progress, any evidence for additional support needed or specialist places will need to be strong to reflect where your DS weaknesses are and how the additional support will help him.
My 2 cents. My DS is 3.3 and can do none of what your DS does, he is very delayed.

Thankyou. DS went to special needs preschool (no ehcp needed) and then to mainstream primary. He is nearly 7 so quite a bit older than your ds, sorry if that wasn't very clear.

@elliejjtiny Some special needs mag not be as apparent as others. Good that you have support from school side!
Some resources I found helpful can be found at Ipsea, SEN SOS and the Special Needs Jungle. These sites have lots of info to help you understand the EHC process, timescales and legally what should be happening.
In terms of DLA I would definitely review applying. Make a folder and gather together as much information as possible from school, GP, any other professionals involved to demonstrate your son's needs and how he needs more help that others his age. Does he have any diagnoses?

@Niffler75 thankyou. I'll have a look at those websites. He's got a whole list of diagnoses but nobody knows if they are connected together in an undiscovered syndrome or if they are just random. He has cleft lip/palate, glue ear, hydrocephalus, global development delay. He also has a gap in his brain that is meant to close either just before birth or in the first 6 weeks. One of his ribs is split at the end and one half sticks out at a weird angle. He also has a birthmark on his tummy that apparently looks like a gastrostomy scar.

@elliejjtiny OK now I know a bit more, take a look at the Cerebra guide to applying for DLA. My son has a neurodevelopmental condition and this guide was very helpful to read and guides you through the DLA form.
I gather all my evidence from professionals and include that in a folder for the DLA application. Getting DLA may also make you eligible for other supports such as Carers Allowance. Take a look at the Citizens Advice website. Hope that helps. They may be able to help you with the DLA form as well!

You might find this useful - www.sossen.org/store/product_info.php?products_id=30&ceid=af6nt7jmbpupk8uqh9r5f3inbo