EHC needs assessment

Also called Statutory assessment, EHCNA, Needs assessment

The council's assessment of whether a child needs an EHCP. Anyone can ask; the threshold is lower than councils often imply.

What it is

An education, health and care needs assessment is the statutory process a local authority runs to decide whether a child or young person needs an EHCP.

The legal test for agreeing to assess is whether the child may have SEN and may need provision to be made through an EHCP. "May" twice — it is a low threshold, and it is not "has the school tried everything".

Where it applies

Children and young people from 0 to 25. A parent can request one, the young person can if over 16, and so can the school or anyone else with the child's consent.

How it works

The deadlines are fixed and worth knowing:

The council has **6 weeks** to decide whether to assess. If it agrees, it must seek advice from the school, an educational psychologist, health, social care and anyone else the parent reasonably requests — and those advisers have **6 weeks** to reply.

The whole process, from request to final plan, must take no more than **20 weeks**.

If the council refuses to assess, or assesses and refuses to issue a plan, you can appeal.

What you can ask for

Put the request in writing and keep the date — the six weeks runs from when they receive it. IPSEA has a model letter.

Ask for advice from any professional already involved, by name. A parent can reasonably request specific advice and the council must seek it.

Ask for the decision in writing with reasons and with your appeal rights. Both are required.

Where to get help

IPSEA's model letters are the best starting point and are free. SENDIASS locally. A refusal is appealable to the SEND Tribunal, and a very high proportion of these appeals succeed.