EHC process for parental requests Parental requests to

EHC process for parental requests

Parental requests to EHC Panel • Parental requests that proceed to Panel for statutory assessment – very rare • Less than five received per year, only one or two may proceed to Panel • School/ college referrals – usual route • EYS support given by SENDSS in Nurseries • LA referrals

Parental requests-initial meeting • Parents can formally request a statutory assessment in writing to Bw. D statutory assessment team • A yp over the age of 16 can also make a request • LA meet with Parent • Gather information about child/yp and needs • Who is involved with the child/yp? • Parent and LA agree whether to continue with request or if another avenue needs to be followed up

Parental requests – post meeting • LA contacts the professionals involved for their view about the child/yp SEN • Parent’s views – advice form • The educational advice is key • School/college questionnaire; at what stage is the child/yp at within the Co. P? • School/college must also send LA the same amount of information as required for a school request • LA collates information and refers to Panel

Information required from the school/college • CAF or Pre-CAF checklist • 2 IEPs • Provision Map showing the provision made for the child/yp over the last 12 months • Chronology of actions • Reports from professionals involved • Minutes of review meetings • Summative educational report • School/college questionnaire

EHC Panel members • • • Chair – Sue Hayward - Service Lead for SEN Principal Educational Psychologist Manager of SENDSS Early Years representative 2 Primary School SENCOs/headteachers 2 Secondary School SENCOs 1 Special School representative 1 post 16 representative 1 Health representative 1 Social care representative Statutory assessment team manager to record discussion and decisions; ensure protocols are followed, give feedback to referrers

EHC Panel criteria 1. Has the young person had access to all relevant resources available, including Elements 1 & 2 (Element 1 - £ 4000, Element 2 - £ 6000) from their educational setting, universal & targeted health services and social care input? 2. Has the school co-ordinated the involvement of the young person, their parents/carers and all relevant professionals in seeking to meet the needs of the young person? 3. Is there evidence to indicate that the special educational needs of the young person are exceptional relative to others of the same age within the LA?

Post Panel • If Panel say yes – proceed with statutory assessment, same process for everyone • If no- feedback given to parent, meeting if necessary • Feedback can also be given to school • Parents have the right to appeal the decision – mediation has to be considered before going to Tribunal

All about me meeting • • Within 4 weeks of panel decision Person centred Capture views, aspirations and goals All About Me – one page profile Outcomes and suggested provision Parental preference of school Personal budgets Additional information

LA requests for further information • LA formally requests any additional advice and information from: • Health • Social care • EP • Parents • Any additional information from school will come through All About Me meeting

Funding • Early release of funding approximately 8 weeks after panel where appropriate • Most LAs do not release any funding until the EHC Plan is finalised after 20 weeks

Independent Supporters • Parents are contacted midway through the 20 week process • Independent. Supporters@barnardos. org. uk • Tel 01772 629470 • Offer support to parents through EHC process

Draft EHC plan • SEN Officers write the draft plan using information received from all information sent to the LA about the child/yp • No school is named in draft plan. Parents can express a preference at this point • Independent Supporters will go through the plan with the parents • Meeting with LA is offered to parents to discuss draft plan

Final Plan • • Final plan issued within 20 week timescale School named in final plan Parents can appeal to SEN Tribunal Potential for mediation before a Tribunal