An Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment is a detailed look at a child or young person’s special educational needs and the support they may need.
It is carried out by the Local Authority under the Children and Families Act 2014.
An assessment may be needed if:
- Whether the child/young person has or may have Special Educational Needs (SEN),
- And whether they may need special educational provision to be made through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Most children and young people with SEND will be supported within their mainstream early year setting, school or college through the Graduated Response and Quality First Teaching, with targeted and personalised support. All schools have “notional funding” to allow them to do this. The Local Authority has provided additional funding to help schools meet needs more quickly.
If a parent or carer thinks that their child/young person has SEND, parents / carers should:
- talk to the class teacher/tutor in the first instance
- arrange a meeting with the school/setting SENDCo (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Co-ordinator) to discuss concerns and potential support
However, if your child or young person is not making the expected progress, despite the Graduated Response and all reasonable attempts by the educational setting and professionals to meet your child’s needs, you or the setting can request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA).
Anyone involved in the child’s education can request an EHCNA.
- A parent or carer
- A young person (YP) aged 16+
- The child or YP’s education provider
How to apply for an EHCNA –
Parental Education Health Care Needs Assessment request form – sutton.gov.uk
We have a guidance document on completing the Parental EHCNA form in our resources section.