Education, Health and Care Plans Conversions

Background  We currently have over 800 pupils with Statements in West Berkshire  We also provide funding for approximately 100 young people between the ages of 16 and 25 who attend college  We have just over 3 years to convert our existing children and young people from Statements to Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans  Top up funding for general further education, above the £10,000 delegated to these providers for SEN provision, will have to be provided through an EHC Plan after September 2016

Key Principles  Everyone who currently has a Statement should be converted to an EHC Plan  The conversion process and meetings follow the EHC process as closely as possible  A statement conversion should be completed in an equally holistic and creative way as a new request  The family and child or young person has the same opportunities to create an effective personal budget as an initial EHC assessment

The Conversion Process At the start of each term:  An Assessment Co-ordinator will be allocated to each case in the conversion cohort  Each school will be sent a list of the students whose statements will need to be converted  All children or young people will be allocated an indicative budget to meet their needs (The expectation is that this will be at a similar level to their current funding)

Week 1  A letter is sent to each family in the conversion cohort informing them of their child or young person’s forthcoming conversion and giving them the name of their Assessment Co-ordinator  Each family will be sent a pack including the EHC Plan Parent Leaflet, “What We Want To Tell You” document and Parent Partnership details  The school will be contacted regarding the conversion and asked to organise an EHC Conversion Meeting by a set date

Week 2 - Assessment Co-ordinator  The Assessment Co-ordinator will make contact with the family and can arrange to meet with them to complete the “What We Want To Tell You” document  The Assessment Co-ordinator will discuss with the family whether additional assessments are required and liaise with professionals

Week 2 - School  The school will set up an EHC Conversion Meeting in discussion with the family and EHC Co-ordinator. Other professionals are invited to this meeting as appropriate  The school completes a report using the EHC Annual Review paperwork.

Weeks 4-6  A Person Centred EHC Conversion Meeting is held at the school. An Assessment Co-ordinator will attend and will usually chair the meeting  The Conversion Meeting will focus on developing appropriate outcomes for the child or young person and the best ways to meet these outcomes  The Conversion Meeting will also explore the most effective use of the personal budget and if any direct payments are necessary

Week 8  The Assessment Co-ordinator drafts the EHC Plan  If additional resources or a direct payment is needed, the draft EHC Plan will go to the EHC Panel for a decision  If no new needs have been identified, the EHC Plan is moderated by SEN Manager or Assistant Manager  The Draft EHC Plan is issued to parents and professionals for consideration and agreement  Key contacts are identified to act as a point of contact for the family

Week 10  If the family and child and young person are in agreement with the EHC Plan it will be finalised  If there is a disagreement the EHC Co-ordinator will meet with the family and child or young person to resolve any issues. The EHC Plan will then be finalised

Conversion Timetable  Priority has been given to young people transferring to further education or training to ensure they have the support they need  Children and young people will be converted to an EHC at key transition points such as Year 9, transfer to secondary school and joining primary school  The Local Authority has followed the conversion guidance produced by the Department for Education

Conversion timetable for statements National Curriculum Year in Year and Term of Conversion National Curriculum Year at Conversion 14Autumn Autumn Autumn Autumn 14 or Summer Autumn 15 or Spring Spring Spring or Summer Spring or Summer Summer Summer Summer Spring Autumn Autumn Autumn 20162

Further Education and Training  If a young person is at college the DfE guidance states that the Local Authority cannot convert their current Learning Difficulty Assessment (S139) into an EHC Plan  A young person can request an EHC Assessment if they feel this would be of benefit to them  Learning Difficulty Assessments will continue to provide support for young people already at college until September 2016  The Local Authority will write to all young people and their families who have a current Learning Difficulty Assessment explaining their options

Final Thought  All our processes are very much a work in progress  We really need your feedback to ensure we are able to adapt and develop our processes to ensure they are as effective and holistic as they can be  This is our chance to work together to try and improve on our existing service and ensure the children and young people of West Berkshire are able to achieve the best possible outcomes