Can I make them reassess?

[Cobb121]

I’m due to receive my sons EHCP draft by the end of the month. All his reports have been done by professionals that haven’t even met him due to covid, they have written reports based on a conversation with the school senco/myself.

If I take the local authority to tribunal can I request that he be reassessed face to face? I want a place at a specialist school so I’m expecting a fight on my hands anyway.

Any advice would be appreciated

Have you had any independent reports done? Were these face to face? I think they would be really helpful if you appeal. Especially if your independent assessors are able to see him face to face.

@Pacifica44

Have you had any independent reports done? Were these face to face? I think they would be really helpful if you appeal. Especially if your independent assessors are able to see him face to face.

I haven’t but I would certainly consider getting them if it will help. I’m in the north, do you have any idea how much I would be looking at for Private ot, Ed Psych & SALT?

I believe having the independent reports makes all
The difference. If you plan to appeal the independent evidence will be valuable and may make the LA concede that your child needs more provision. They are very expensive and the whole process made me realise just how unfair the EHCP process is. I was able to have my child seen in person by independent assessors and they recommend a much higher level of provision than the LA. I will be lodging an appeal soon with the evidence. The S&L assessment was 900. The EP assessment was 1300 as the OT was around 1000. This was in London. Not sure if the pricing is very different in the north. I wish you the best of luck.

@Pacifica44

I believe having the independent reports makes all The difference. If you plan to appeal the independent evidence will be valuable and may make the LA concede that your child needs more provision. They are very expensive and the whole process made me realise just how unfair the EHCP process is. I was able to have my child seen in person by independent assessors and they recommend a much higher level of provision than the LA. I will be lodging an appeal soon with the evidence. The S&L assessment was 900. The EP assessment was 1300 as the OT was around 1000. This was in London. Not sure if the pricing is very different in the north. I wish you the best of luck.

Thank you that’s really helpful.

As Pacifica posted, you would be better focusing on getting your own reports, they are likely to be more detailed, specific and quantified. Vague LA reports lead to vague, woolly wording in section F which means the EHCP isn't worth the paper it is written on.