Help with EHCP

[perimenopauseflushes]

Good morning! I’m hoping someone can offer some help or advice with an application for an EHCP.

My dd (14) hasn’t attended school since September, she now has a tutor through education support that the school applied for. She had diagnosed ADHD and is awaiting Neuro developmental assessment, but this could be a while off.

The tutor has highlighted that her learning difficulties seem to be more severe than we were aware of when she was at school and we have been advised to apply for an EHCP.

The school have sent me forms and advised I contact SENDIASS, I have a tel appt with them this afternoon. I’m just really stuck as to what to put on the form, I don’t have much experience with EHCPs (I thought dd was too old to have one!) and I’m not sure what info they need and how I can word it, as I know it’s hard to get them accepted.

Any help gratefully received!

You don’t need to use the LA’s forms. You can use IPSEA’s model letter, which is straightforward to use. Think about why DD is unable to attend school and what support DD needs.

Be careful with SENDIASS. Some are good, but too many repeat the LA’s unlawful policies. IPSEA and SOSSEN are better. They have lots of helpful information online and have advice lines (you have to persevere).

Separate to the EHCP process, is the medical needs tuition a full-time education (which isn’t necessarily the same number of hours as school) or is it a few hours a week? LAs often try to get away with providing less than they should.

Thank you for your reply @Headfirstintothewild, the tutoring she was offered is 5 hours per week, but has been cut to 3 because she’s not engaging well. I honestly think this is because she is finding it too challenging and maybe need something more specialised.

The meeting with SENDIASS was an eye opener in terms of what school should have been doing and didn’t, she seemed very in tune with what dd has been through with them.

The LA should be providing a suitable full-time education. 3 or 5 hours is not full-time. If DD can’t engage in what they are currently providing it isn’t suitable and they need to amend what they are providing. IPSEA has a model letter you can use to request provision.