EHC needs assessment process

Information for parents about requesting an EHC needs assessment can be found in I'm a parent. 

Once the EHC assessment information is complete and submitted following referral for EHC needs assessment process, a plan co-ordinator will consider all the advice and will be submitted to the multi-agency panel for a decision on whether to issue an EHCP or not.

The multi-agency panel will consider the summary of the information below

  • Those assessments undertaken prior to the referral and any additional assessments undertaken as a result of the referral
  • The child/young person’s needs across education, health and care
  • The specific outcomes to be achieved and the provision to meet those outcomes
  • The views of the child/young person and their family on how they would like services to be delivered.

The role of the EHC panel

The function of the EHC panel is to support the Local Authority in its decisions to:

  • Accept a referral and recommend whether an EHC assessment should be undertaken
  • Identify any further information or assessment required to supplement the referral information
  • Identify key personnel in developing the assessment
  • Recommend whether an EHC plan is required
  • Recommend levels of support
  • Determine an indicative budget based on all the assessment information with consideration for safeguarding and clinical governance
  • Determine if a personal budget is an option and agree inclusions, exclusions and those forms of support which could be negotiated
  • Sign off EHC plans and personal support agreements.

The EHC panel consists of a range of senior professionals including:

  • Representative from Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust
  • Educational Psychologist
  • Representative from Targeted Education Support Service (TESS)
  • Representative from the inclusion service
  • Representative from the early learning and childcare team
  • Representative from the early help and social care
  • The SEND team manager and/or SEND service manager.

Assessment process

The purpose of an EHC assessment and plan is to make special educational provisions which meet the special educational needs of the child or young person, to secure improved outcomes for them across education, health and social care and, as they get older, prepare them for adulthood. The Plan describes the child or young person’s interests and aspirations; their special needs in education, health and social care; the outcomes we want them to achieve, and the provision needed to meet their needs.

The key things to know about an EHC assessment and plan are:

  • On the EHC pathway parents, carers and professionals are able to consider a child’s or young person’s needs across education, health and social care
  • The assessment will bring together all the information that is held about a child or young person to get a complete picture of all their needs
  • Parents/carers may have a named person to help them through the process. Someone in school may have a role in this support
  • Young people’s and family’s views of the child or young person’s needs and their hopes for the future are key to the process
  • The planning meeting to draw up the EHC plan involves parents, the young person, where appropriate, and professionals who have assessed the child or young person
  • EHC plans will be personalised. This means that all the child’s or young person’s individual needs in education, health and care will be considered and the plan will then be shaped to meet their personal circumstances
  • The resources that are available will be used flexibly to allow families to make some choices about the provision their child/young person receives
  • A personal budget may be available to families to choose how to support the child or young person
  • The time taken to produce an EHC plan is 20 weeks. For more information, visit EHC needs assessment process
  • The EHC Plan has protection in law. The education provision set out in the EHC plan has to be provided.

Parents have the right to appeal to a tribunal if they are not happy with the education provision. More information can be found on appealing an EHC decision made by the Council.