What Is An EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a single multi-agency plan for children and young people aged 0-25 who have Special Educational Needs or Disabilities.
An EHCP will be put in place where a greater level of individual help is needed to ensure that a child/young person makes progress. It will be put in place following an assessment of the child or young person's education, health and care needs (not just educational needs). It is designed to make sure that all the child/young person's needs are assessed and supported at the same time.
The EHCP is a statutory legal document. Its preparation is informed by the guidance outlined in the Special Educational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years. This code covers provision for children and young people from birth to 25 years.
Key principles of an EHC Plan are:
- Children, young people and their families are involved from the start,
- The identification of children and young people's needs is supported,
- There is collaboration between education, health and social care to provide appropriate and planned support,
- High quality provision is provided to meet the needs of children and young people with SEN,
- There is successful preparation for adulthood, including independent living and employment,
- There is greater choice and control for young people and parents over the support offered.
The EHCP is a working document, which is statutorily reviewed at least once a year and is underpinned by individual Education Plans, Individual Behaviour Plans, Provision Timetables and One Page Profiles. It actively promotes a co-ordinated plan of support for the child or young person and their family. The document should be relevant to the needs of the child or young person and their family. Each stage can be personalised to make it relevant. The involvement of the child/young person and their families is vital in creating this document, they should always be central to the process.
When to apply for an EHCP
If progress is not being made or your child’s needs cannot be met with SEN support, a statutory assessment may be requested by school or by a parent/carer. This involves a multi-agency assessment of your child’s needs which may result in an EHCP being put in place.
Who can request an EHC Plan?
The following people have a specific right to request a statutory assessment for an EHC Plan:
- The child's parent (or advocate on their behalf),
- The young person over the age of 16 (or advocate on their behalf),
- A person acting on behalf of a school or post 16 institution (this should be with the knowledge and agreement of the child/ young person and their family).
Criteria to request a statutory assessment for an EHCP
A statutory assessment may be requested where a child/young person with SEN requires support that is additional to or different from what is normally delivered within Bands 1 - 3 of the Wakefield Matrix of Provision and SEN Matrix of Descriptors.
Download EHCP 20 Week Timeline
Download SEN Matrix
- The parents/young person has already been supported to access services, information/activities outlined in the Local Offer,
- The parents/young person have been consulted and are in agreement with the request being made,
- An educational psychologist has been consulted and has made a formal report contributing to the My Support Plan in the last 3 months, detailing the recommendations made and the resources indicated. The contribution should be in the form of a full report detailing needs and the appropriate provision to meet these identified needs. For children with a sensory impairment, the formal report should be from an Advisory Teacher working within the Wakefield Special Educational Needs Support Service,
- Reports from Paediatric Therapists could also be prepared at this phase,
- If all are in agreement these reports can constitute the statutory advice when a decision to issue an EHC Plan is made, if prepared in the last 3 months.
Download EHCP Template
