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The education health and care needs assessment process

The education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA) process is split into 3 time periods within 16 weeks of the request.

Before you request an EHCNA, read the following information to understand the process. Or download a summarised version of the process (PDF, 94.3 KB).

See what information we need from you.

Within the first 6 weeks

We will first check to see if you meet our criteria to decide whether we assess your EHCNA request.

During the first 6 weeks we'll contact you to tell you the name of your assessment officer. We will also:

  • ask you to complete a form with your views about your child's needs, including:
    • what is working and what isn't
    • your hopes and aspirations for them.
  • inform you whether we believe an EHCNA is necessary and set out the next steps.

The decision process

We must make a decision whether an EHCNA is necessary. We will contact with you within 6 weeks to confirm our decision. The SEND code of practice 2015 (page 154 - section 9) outlines this.

We will notify:

  • you (the parent) or the young person
  • the health and social service
  • your child's education setting.

During this time, we will take into account a wide range of evidence as to whether we assess your EHCNA request.

The decision outcome

If we agree to start the process of an EHCNA, this will be approximately 6 weeks after you made your request. Within a week of our decision to start the process, a Health Co-ordinator (HCO) may contact you.

A HCO will contact you if your child:

  • has an immediate relative serving, or has previously served, in the armed forces
  • is assigned under the Community Healthcare team (CHC)
  • is open to Portage
  • is receiving specialist input from London hospitals (such as Evelina)
  • is educated at home
  • is a Looked After Child (LAC)
  • is 19 to 25 years old.

If you do not agree with our decision you have the right of appeal.

Within 16 weeks of the request

We will ask for advice and information about:

  • your child's needs
  • the support required to meet their needs
  • the outcomes they should be working towards.

We will get this from:

  • you (the parent) or young person (aged 16 to 25)
  • the education setting
  • health care professionals working or supporting your child
  • an educational psychologist
  • social care
  • youth offending team if a young person is detained
  • any person requested by you or young person where we agree that it is reasonable to do so

This advice and information must be provided within 6 weeks of us requesting it.

A Health Co-ordinator may contact you to discuss your child's health history. This discussion helps us to seek advice from the relevant health professionals that understand your child's needs.

By 16 weeks after the request

Agree to move forward

If we decide to issue an education, health and care (EHC) plan, we will let you and others know.

We will allow enough time to prepare the draft plan and issue the final plan within the 20 week time limit.

Decline the request

If we decide not to issue an EHC plan, we will tell you why. We will notify the young person, the education setting they attend, and the health service.

If you disagree with our decision you have the right to appeal.