What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that describes a child or young person’s special educational, health and social care needs. It explains the extra help that will be given to meet those needs and how that help will support the child or young person to achieve what they want to in their life.
The EHCP Process Timeline
The local authority has 20 weeks from the date of the request to complete the EHCP needs assessment and issue a final plan. This process is broken down into several key stages:
Stage 1: Request for Assessment (Weeks 0-6)
You, your child’s school, or another professional can request an EHCP needs assessment. The local authority must decide within 6 weeks whether to proceed with the assessment.
Stage 2: Assessment Period (Weeks 7-12)
If the request is approved, the local authority gathers information from you, your child, their school, and relevant professionals such as educational psychologists and healthcare providers.
Stage 3: Draft Plan (Weeks 13-16)
The local authority produces a draft EHCP based on the assessment information. You have 15 days to review the draft and request changes or name your preferred school.
Stage 4: Final Plan (Weeks 17-20)
After considering your feedback, the local authority issues the final EHCP. This document is legally binding and must be reviewed annually.
What Should an EHCP Include?
A comprehensive EHCP should contain detailed sections covering your child’s special educational needs, the outcomes you hope to achieve, and the specific support and provision required to meet those needs.
Your Rights and Next Steps
If you disagree with any decision made during the EHCP process, you have the right to appeal. This includes disagreements about whether an assessment should be carried out, the content of the plan, or the school named in the plan.
Understanding your rights is crucial. Don’t hesitate to seek support from advocacy services or organizations like Voices for the Vulnerable to ensure your child receives the support they need.