What is an EHCP and what are the 5 stages?
AN EHCP is a helpful document for parents with children who have additional needs or may need extra support at school.
Formerly known as ‘statement of special educational needs’, an EHCP lays out the education, healthcare and social needs for children and young people.
An EHCP is usually used for children who need more help than is available through normal special education needs support in their school.
This is a legally binding document and will list all of the person’s special needs in detail.
What qualifies for an EHCP?
Parents, carers, a paediatrician, social worker or the school can request an ECHP assessment which is then decided upon through their local authority.
To qualify for an ECHP you will need to prove the person’s additional needs are holding them back in education, whether that is nursery, school or college.
You will also need to show that the current educational setting isn’t or is unable to provide the support for fulfil those needs.
An EHCP can be given to children and young people up to 25-years-old. People between 16 and 25 can apply for an assessment on their own, but don’t need to.
Although your child does not need to be diagnosed with special educational needs to get an assessment you may be asked to provide supporting evidence by the local authority.
What are the five stages of an EHCP?
There are five stages for creating an EHCP. These include:
1. Identifying needs of children with SEND
If a child or young person isn’t progressing in education and other signs of special educational needs or disabilities are present an assessment can be requested.
2. Conducting an EHCP needs assessment
The next stage is to actually conduct to assessment, which will include advice from professionals.
This should help professionals understand who the child or young person is and what they need help with.
This is then given to your local authority who will decided whether to issue an EHCP.
If an EHCP is drawn up this will be up for review 15 days.
3. Creating an Education, Health and Care Plan
The plan itself should be meaningful, detailed and presented in an needs-based way.
One study concluded that parents wants plans to include the young person’s views, for them to be structured and include discussions on personal budgets.
4. Implementing the EHCP
Once the EHCP has been created it should be implemented and provisions should be provided by the local authority as well as social care partners.
Each service provider for the young person should have clear objectives which ensure progress is made by the young person.
5. Regularly review the EHCP
An ECHP should be reviewed at least once per year to check up on the young person or child’s progress.
This may vary depending on the age of the young person, as progress will look different for the older end of this group and may focus on moving towards employment where possible.
EHCP’s should be checked more often to ensure the quality of the support given meets the standards set out.
Any concerns can also be raised during reviews from parents, teachers and other stakeholders.
What does EHCP stand for?
EHCP stands for Education, Health and Care Plan.