In most cases, children and young people identified as having complex SEN will be referred for an EHC Plan needs assessment by a relevant professional, for example a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO), teacher, educational psychologist, or health worker. However, Parents and Carers can also ask the Local Authority (LA) to carry out a needs assessment – see contact details at the bottom of this page for further information.
It should be noted that if a request is made, it does not mean that a needs assessment will definitely go ahead or that an Education, Health and Care Plan will be provided. The local authority will carefully consider whether a graduated approach at SEN Support has already been provided and progress has not been made before deciding if a needs assessment is needed.
There are two ways to apply for an EHCP, the School can make the referral or the Parent can submit a referral:
- School referral –
All the forms the school needs can be found here- gateshead-localoffer.org/forms-and-templates/
Once complete the school will email them all to us via this email address- SENTeam@Gateshead.gov.uk
Please note, the school will need to provide the following:
EHC Plan Needs Assessment Request Form
Top-up Funding Form
Support Timetable
Child’s Views Form
Child’s One Page Profile Form
The Current SEND Support Plan
Two Previous SEND Support Plans
Signed Parental Consent Form
Parental Advice Form
2. Parental or Young Person Referral –
Parents or young people are able to request an EHCP needs assessment by completing the parental request or young person request and returning it to the SEN team- SENTeam@Gateshead.gov.uk . We would recommend you include any additional reports, letters or assessments by any professionals that have been involved.
We would also recommend to meet with the School SENDCO to discuss this process and what support is in place for your child. If you are having trouble with communication with the school or would like support and advice about the EHCP process, contact SENDIASS at Barnardos on 01914784667 – www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/dais-gateshead-sendias who offer support to Families and young people
Parental request for an EHCP needs assessment form
Young person request for an EHCP needs assessment
For more information, contact us via telephone on 0191 433 3626 or via email on senteam@gateshead.gov.uk