For some children and young people (YP) with Special Educational Needs (SEN), the support they receive at their place of learning (SEN support) may not be enough.

It may then be necessary to request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) which may lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

The views of parents/carers, children and YP are very important and will be included in the final EHCP. It is useful to focus on areas that educational settings or other professionals writing reports may not be aware of.

You can start by making a bullet point list of things as you think of them; this will give you a start for when you complete any forms. Remember that as parents/carers you can get used to your child/YP’s traits/quirks and make adjustments within your home/family, please remember to include these in your views.

This booklet is to be used as a guide; each child/YP will be different.

Sections

  1. What to include about your child/YP when requesting the needs assessment
  2. History
  3. Education
  4. Health including emotional, social and mental health
  5. Relationships and behaviour at school
  6. Your general views

What to include about your child/YP when requesting the needs assessment

 

 

If you are requesting the EHCNA it is useful to include evidence such as:

  • Copies of any relevant reports
  • Copies of SEN support plans/one page profiles/IEPs
  • Copies of behaviour plans or risk assessments
  • An example of your child/YP’s work
  • Your child/YP’s views
  • Copies of any exclusion letters
  • Photocopies of home to school book
  • Relevant emails between yourself and school

This booklet contains some things you may wish to think about. Not all of them will be relevant to your child/YP but may be helpful:

History

  • What do you remember about their early or school years that might be useful?
  • When did you first feel things were not right?
  • What have professionals said about your child/young person’s needs in the past and up till now?
  • What impact is there on family and the home environment?
  • How do you support their needs and make adjustments for them at home?
  • What do you want for their future in 5 years, 10 years and beyond?
  • Is there any provision/support that has worked for your child in the past (at school or home)?
  • What support do you believe they need to help them educationally?

Education

  • Progress, or lack of progress, made over the last year
  • What has pleased you educationally and also what concerns do you have?
  • Has the school had any professionals in to assess your child/YP? e.g. Educational Psychologist
  • Relationships at school with other children and young people, teachers/tutors and teaching assistants.
  • Progress with reading, writing, numbers, other subjects and activities at school
  • How has the place of learning helped your child/YP?
  • If your child/YP does not get the appropriate support what are the consequences?
  • What does your child/YP find easy or difficult?

 

Health including emotional, social and mental health

  • Any diagnoses your child/YP has
  • Independence, what can they do for themselves? e.g. dressing, crossing the road, homework
  • Do they have a sense of danger?
  • Eating and sleeping habits
  • General fitness, and absences from school
  • Serious illnesses/accidents or periods in hospital
  • If your child/YP has a disability, mental health difficulties or medical condition, how do these affect him/her at home or at school?
  • Any medicine or special diet?
  • General alertness, tiredness, signs and effects of any medication used.
  • Does your child/YP’s health impact on their education? If so, how?
  • Does your child/YP have any sensory needs?

 

Relationships and behaviour at school

  • Does your child/YP have any support at school with their behaviour?
  • Has the school asked your child/YP to go home early?
  • Has your child/YP been on a reduced timetable?
  • Has your child/YP been excluded?
  • Does your child/YP struggle with getting to school or school refuse due to mental health difficulties?

Your general views

  • How would you compare your child/YP with others of the same age?
  • What is your child/YP good at and what do they enjoy doing?
  • What do they worry about?
  • What are your worries and concerns?
  • Are there any other professionals who you feel need to assess your child/YP and why?

These are just some ideas, please write what is appropriate in your particular circumstances.