Who can have an assessment
The law states that if:
- a child has or may have special needs and
- they may need provision to be made through an EHC plan
the local authority must conduct an EHC needs assessment.
This means that you do not have to prove that an EHC plan is necessary to obtain an assessment. You just have to show it may be necessary.
If you think your child needs more help than the school can provide, you can ask for an assessment.
Preparing to make a request
Before making a request for an EHC assessment, you should prepare by considering your child or young person’s goals and barriers to learning.
It’s useful to gather reports or evidence about:
- specific difficulties, even if they have no formal diagnoses yet
- how these difficulties impact on your child or young person’s learning and development
- things that have already been tried successfully or that have not had the desired impact
The Council will base their decision on whether they agree to carry out an EHC needs assessment based on the information that’s provided, so it’s worth getting support on this.
How to request an assessment
A request for an EHC needs assessment can be made by:
- the child’s parent or carer
- an educational setting
- a young people themselves (if they are over 16)
Before requesting an EHC needs assessment, it is best if you can speak to the child’s early years setting, school or college about any concerns around their child’s progress or support they are receiving.
That way, if there is more that can be done to support the child, it can be put in place.
It’s important for everyone to work together because whoever requests the EHC needs assessment, the education setting will be required to provide evidence to support the request.
If a child does not have a school place, parents can still request an assessment.
To request an EHC needs assessment in Hertfordshire, you can simply download the Council’s EHC needs assessment request form and email the form to the SEND front door and assessment team.
Once the Council have received your request, they will allocate an EHC Coordinator to your case and will contact you to explain the process.
At this point, they will also establish how you can be best kept informed and supported to take part as fully as possible in the decision-making process.
You can ask your EHC Coordinator for additional support if you require help such as translated documents or because you may have additional needs.
From the information provided, the Council will make a decision whether or not to carry out an EHC needs assessment and communicate that decision within 6 weeks of receiving the request.
If the Council decide to carry out a statutory EHC needs assessment
The purpose of an EHC needs assessment is to get a good rounded picture of your child or young person’s education, health and care needs to decide whether or not your child or young person requires an education, health and care plan (EHCP) or whether their needs could be met with SEN support.
If the Council decide NOT to carry out a statutory EHC needs assessment
If the Council do not agree to carry out an EHC assessment, they will give you their reasons. You can request a meeting with your EHC Co-ordinator to discuss. They will also provide feedback collected during the process, including evidence from professionals.
Even if your request for an EHC assessment has been turned down, SEN support should be available to you through your school or educational setting.
If the Council decide not to carry out an EHC assessment, you have the right to appeal within 2 months of that decision.
Get in touch with us
If you can't find what you need, feel free to get in touch with us. Our opening hours are:
- Monday to Thursday from 9.30am to 3pm
- Friday from 9.30am to 2pm
We aim to respond to all enquiries within 3 working days.
Other sources of help and support:
Hertfordshire Local Offer
The Local Offer lets parents and young people know what special educational needs and disabilities services are available in Hertfordshire, and who can access them.
Visit the Local Offer →
Contact
A charity for families with disabled children offering information and advice.
Visit Contact →
HPCI
An independent parent carer organisation ensuring family voices are heard.
Visit the HPCI →
IPSEA
Independent information, advice and support, with free guides, resources and template letters.
Visit IPSEA →