Requesting an EHC Needs Assessment (ECHNAR)
Update - Hull Statutory SEND Services, November 2024
We are currently encountering significant challenges in fulfilling its statutory duties under the -
- Children and Families Act 2014
- SEND Regulations
- SEND Code of Practice
This difficulty arises from the unprecedented demand for SEND services within the city, a situation that is mirrored across most local authorities in England and is adversely affecting the entire SEND system. As a result, specific services which contribute towards the statutory assessment process have struggled to respond within the mandated statutory timeframes.
Unfortunately, these delays have led to a growing backlog of Education, Health, and Care Needs (EHCP) assessments at various stages of the statutory process. We are firmly committed to improving the experiences of children, young people, and their families. To achieve this, we have implemented several initiatives and working in partnership with the Department for Education, all aimed at ensuring that every child and young person receives the appropriate support in a timely manner.
Currently, the Delivering Better Value Programme funding is being utilised to facilitate the transition of vulnerable pupils at key stages of their educational journey. Additionally, we are working with schools/settings to ensure that children and young people receive the right support while they are waiting for a statutory assessment. We are backdating payments for SEND provision where schools can demonstrate that it has been implemented. Through these efforts, we strive to enhance service delivery and support for all those who rely on SEND services.
We acknowledge the breaches of SEND Regulations that may have occurred during this period; however, we believe it is vital to be transparent and honest about the challenges we are facing and apologise for the inconvenience these have or may have caused.
We appreciate your patience as we work to resolve this matter.
The local authority’s SEND Assessment and Review Team coordinates the EHC process.
Once a request is recieved, the local authority must make a decision about whether to carry out an EHC Needs Assessment within 6 weeks of the recieved date.. Parents will be informed of the local authority's decision by letter and if an assessment is not agreed, this letter will explain why and give parents the right to appeal.. Suggestions are often made about other ways the child or young person can be supported.
When an EHC Needs Assessment is requested -
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a request for an EHC Needs Assessment is received by the SEND Assessment and Review team
- the information is discussed by a expert panel consisting of Education Psychologists, health representatives, social care representatives and other education professionals. The local authority will consider the information presented and make a decision on whether or not to carry out an EHC Needs Assessment
- the person with parental responsibility is informed of the local authority's decision within 6 weeks of receiving the request for assessment.
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signed consent from the parent, or young person, must be given before health professionals will share information with the local authority for the EHC Needs Assessment.
EHC Needs Assessment
If the local authority considers it appropriate to carry out an EHC Needs Assessment, reports will be requested from key people, including -
- those with parental responsibility,
- the child or young person (supported as appropriate).
- education settings.
- educational Psychologists.
- health professionals.
- social care professionals.
- other professionals who are involved.
Once all reports have been received the child/young person's case will be presented back to the moderating panel of professionals . The local authority will then decide whether or not to issue an EHC Plan. This decision should be made within 16 weeks of the original EHC Needs Assessment request.
If the LA decides that it is not necessary to issue an EHCP, the SEND Assessment and Review team will let the parents or young person know, explaining the reasons why. The reports from the EHC Needs Assessment will be sent to the person with parental responsibility and can be used to inform the education setting about what additional supportive measures can be put in place for the child or young person.