1. INDEPENDENT SUPPORT WORKSHOP
11 November 2015
Lydia Wong

2. SEN Support in School Without Statement or EHC plan
Local offer: A wide range of information of information about services and facilities families can expect to find in their area. See Council website.
Schools are required to identify and support children with special education needs (SEN) and/or a disability.
School’s SEN Policy: School’s will set out to do this with their own resources and a funding arrangement with local authority.
SEN Support record: Schools should record SEN needs, set outcomes for special educational provisions and monitor if these provisions meet identified need.

3. Request for EHC Assessment
If a school cannot meet the child’s needs with their funding or expertise, they should make an EHC request.
EHC assessments can be requested by:
School
Child’s parents or young person
Anyone can bring a child to the attention of the local authority

4. What C404 can do at this stage?
Independent Support Service
School Request:
Liaise with school and council in support of families
Parental Request:
Contact schools, professionals and social workers
Support to gather documents and information for request incl. reports, school records etc.
Support families/young person to make a request (Form FA2)

5. Decision to Assess New EHC Plans
In deciding, the Local Authority(LA) must:
Examine school provisions and SEN – are current provisions adequate to meet child/young person’s needs?
Consult with parents or young person.
Consult with head teacher or school.
Inform health commissioning bodies and social care officers.
Notify decision within 6 weeks of request.
The Local Authority must assess if:
Child or young person has SEN.
It may be necessary for SEN provisions to be made in accordance with an EHC plan.

6. What C404 can do at this stage?
Independent Support Service
Decision to Assess
Explain time scales.
Ensure families are clear on what they want to contribute to assessment and how.
Ensure anyone families would like to participate in assessment are involved e.g. GP, support worker etc.
Decision not to assess
Explain options to families.
Support families to appeal decision if necessary.
Dispute resolution service (not part of Independent Support Service).

7. Assessment and EHC Draft Plan
Conducted by Local Authority.
Assessment will be a comprehensive review of child or young person’s education, health and care.
Child, parents and YP’s views, needs, required provisions, outcomes and professional reports will all be examined.
Involve meetings, home visits and school visits.
The LA has six weeks decide whether to assess.
Professionals have six weeks to submit their reports.
The LA has sixteen weeks to complete the assessment from date of request (although there are some exceptions).
May issue a draft EHC plan at end of assessment.
The whole EHC process should take 20 weeks.

8. What C404 can do at this stage?
Independent Support Service
Provide information and guidance every step of the way.
Help you to put together the one page profile for your child or young person.
Liaise with school’s SENCO and across a range of local services to help you to gather the information required for an EHC plan etc.
Act as a named contact person throughout the EHC assessment and planning process.
Follow up with local authority and professionals etc. on behalf of families.
Attend meetings with school, local authority and professionals etc. in support of families.
Review content of the draft plan with families, in light of professional reports and recommendations.

9. After the Assessment
Annual review
Assist with new EHC request 6 months after assessment (if necessary)

10. What else can C404 do? Our Supporting Families Team can:
Help you understand the local offer
Find out information about SEN support on behalf of family
Support families at meetings with school, professionals and SENCo etc.
Offer support for you and your family
Offer dispute resolution service if necessary (not part of Independent Support Service).

11. Get In Touch
You are entitled to free and independent advice and support! Lydia Wong (Independent Supporter)