How EHC assessments work

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment is a detailed assessment used by the local authority to decide whether a child or young person needs an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

An EHC needs assessment does not automatically lead to an EHCP being issued.

If Buckinghamshire Council decides to carry out an EHC needs assessment, information and advice will be gathered about the child or young person's education, health and social care needs.

The purpose of the assessment is to build a complete picture of:

• the child or young person's needs
• the outcomes they want to achieve
• the provision required to meet those needs

As part of the assessment process, the local authority must seek advice and information from relevant professionals.

This may include advice and information from:

• parents or carers
• the child or young person
• educational psychology
• health professionals
• social care professionals
• schools, colleges or education providers

Additional advice may be requested where appropriate.

The views, wishes and feelings of the child or young person and their parents are an important part of the assessment process.

The local authority must take account of:

• the child or young person's views, wishes and feelings
• the views of parents or carers
• the importance of participation in decisions
• the need to support children, young people and families to achieve the best possible outcomes

There are legal timescales for EHC needs assessments.

The EHC assessment and planning process should normally take no more than 20 weeks from the date the local authority receives a request for an assessment until a final EHC plan is issued.

When all the advice and information has been gathered, Buckinghamshire Council will decide whether an EHCP is necessary.

The local authority will write to explain its decision.

The local authority may decide that the child or young person's needs can be met through resources normally available to education providers and through SEN Support.

The decision letter will explain:

• the decision made
• the reasons for the decision
• your rights to disagree with the decision

If the local authority decides an EHCP is necessary, it will prepare a draft EHC plan.

The draft plan should describe:

• the child or young person's needs
• the outcomes sought
• the provision required
• the education setting to be named

Parents and young people will have an opportunity to comment on the draft plan and express a preference for an education setting.

If a family moves to another local authority area while an EHC needs assessment is taking place, responsibility for the assessment may transfer between local authorities.

The arrangements depend on the stage reached in the assessment process at the time of the move.