An EHC assessment is a multiagency assessment for young people who may need a significantly higher level of long-term support than can normally be provided within a college. The assessment will gather advice and information from a range of relevant professionals across education, health and social care.
Who can request an EHC assessment?
Settings typically request EHC assessments, but parents and professionals can do too. Young people aged 16 and over have the right to request an EHC assessment independently (until the age of 25). Other people can also bring a young person with SEN to the attention of the local authority where they think an EHC assessment may be necessary. This includes health and social care professionals, foster carers, Early Years practitioners, youth offending teams etc. They must have the full knowledge and consent of the parent/carer or young person (over the age of 16) before requesting an EHC assessment on their behalf.
The EHC assessment application
Colleges requesting an EHC assessment must do so by completing the relevant application form, which can be found here: Education, Health, Care Assessments and Plans
Settings should make every effort to identify strengths in all areas as well as difficulties. It is also helpful to detail what has worked in previous cycles of assess-plan-do-review and what additionality is needed to maintain or enhance the rate of progress.