Requesting an EHC needs assessment
You can request an EHC needs assessment for a child or young person aged 0 and 25 if you are:
- the child’s parent or carer
- a young person aged over 16 but under 25
- acting on behalf of a school or post-16 institution (this should ideally be with the knowledge and agreement of the parent or young person where possible).
Anyone can bring a child or young person who has (or may have) SEND to our attention, particularly if they think an EHC needs assessment is needed.
This could include:
- foster carers
- health and social care professionals
- early years practitioners
- youth offending teams or probation services
- those responsible for education in custody
- school or college staff.
How to request an EHC needs assessment
An EHC assessment should be requested after your child or young person’s educational setting has carried out interventions via the Graduated Approach.
You can contact the school SENCO to find out what provision is in place for your child or young person.
To request an EHC needs assessment:
- if you're a parent, download and complete the parent request and information form
- if you're an educational setting, download and complete the school request form.
Guidance for parents
Download guidance on how to make an EHC needs assessment.
Assessment timeline
How long the EHC assessment process takes
The whole process should be completed within 20 weeks as set out below. You can also download our EHCP assessment timeline.
Week 1 to 6: asking for an EHCP
In this time:
- your request is received
- information is gathered
- a decision made to progress to EHC assessment or notification not to proceed is issued (feedback provided with right to appeal).
Week 6 to 12: gathering information
During this time, professional and parental advice is requested and considered.
Week 13 to 16: draft EHCP
In this time:
- a decision is made to issue an EHCP or not (with right to appeal)
- if an EHCP is to be issued, a co-production meeting takes place
- a draft plan will be produced
- if an EHCP is not to be issued, a Way Forward meeting takes place.
Week 17 to 20: final EHCP
In the final weeks there will be a consultation with education setting about placement and meeting needs, and a final plan is issued and support put in place.
What can prolong the process beyond 20 weeks
The process may be prolonged if:
- the child or young person has missed appointments with a professional who the authority has requested advice from
- the child or young person is absent from the area for a period of at least 4 weeks
- exceptional personal circumstances affect the child, their parent or carer, or the young person
- the educational institution is closed for at least 4 weeks, which may delay the submission of information.