If a needs assessment goes ahead, the LA asks the child’s parents/carers and the young person for their views as well as assessments (known as ‘advice’) from a range of people such as the head teacher, SENCO, early years provider, health care professionals, Educational Psychologist, a qualified teacher of the visually impaired or hearing impaired, or social worker.
They need to submit this information within six weeks and the SEND Panel then decides whether an EHC Plan will be issued. If it is, a draft EHC Plan is written and circulated to all involved. There is then 15 days for the draft plan to be read and any amendments requested before a final plan is issued.
The following documents highlight what happens at each key stage of the 20 week EHC Plan process and an A-Z of key contacts:
EHCP Process Guidance for Families 2024