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Education, Health & Care Needs Assessments (EHCNA)
Overview
The majority of children and young people with SEND (Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities) will have their needs met within local mainstream early years settings, schools, or colleges. This is usually made available through “SEN Support” (please see our SEN Support Page for detailed information about this). Some children and young people, however, may require more support (“provision”) over and above that expected to be given through normal mainstream resources. This is where an EHC needs assessment should be requested.
A local authority must conduct an assessment of education, health and care needs when it considers that it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or young person in accordance with an EHC plan. (Code of Practice 9.3)
The Education, Health & Care Needs Assessment (“EHCNA”) is the first step to getting an Education, Health & Care Plan (“EHCP”). It is an assessment of a child’s or young person’s education, health, and care needs. It is a legal process, and as such, there are statutory processes and timescales that the local authority must meet in making their decisions.
In order for the local authority to consider doing an assessment, there must be special educational need(s). If an assessment is agreed, only then will health & social care needs be taken into account and included. It is worth noting though, that there will be occasions where health and/or social care impact on a child’s education or learning and therefore may meet the definition of educational need.
Please note that an EHC needs assessment does not always result in an EHC plan. The information gathered during the needs assessment may indicate ways in which the school, college, or other provider can meet the child or young person’s needs without the need for an EHC plan. Even if an EHC plan is not agreed, the assessment would mean that there should be a much clearer understanding of your child’s or young person’s needs.
Local Information, Guidance and Policies
This page contains practical guidance on how to make a parental request for an EHC needs assessment and what information to include, along with a template letter.
This webinar is about the Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) criteria and how to request one. It is just over 26 minutes long and was recorded by some of the SENDIAS Team in February 2020.
Information from WSCC regarding EHC needs assessments
Detailed Information and Guidance
Information and guidance from IPSEA about different aspects of the EHC needs assessments
Guidance and template letter from IPSEA when the LA delays starting or concluding an EHC needs assessment
Is there a better time to request an EHCNA?
Somerset Parent Carer Forum, NHS, and Somerset Safeguarding Children Partnership have co-produced a calendar to help you consider the impacts of when you request an EHCNA.
If you think you will struggle with any of this on your own then please contact us by email: send.ias@westsussex.gov.uk or call us on: 0330 222 8555 to discuss how we may be able to support you.
Further Information
- IASSN Interactive EHCNA and EHCP guidance
- The Parental Contribution Booklet – Tips and Examples – for SENAT once an EHCNA has been agreed.
- Parent contribution form for school requesting an EHCNA
- Downloadable Factsheets (from our website): SEN Support, EHC Needs Assessment & EHC Plans
- Appealing if EHCNA is refused
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
For FAQs around draft EHC plans please see IPSEA’s FAQ pages on EHCNAs and EHCP