What is an Educational, Health and Care needs assessment?
The Education, Health and Care needs assessment is a multi-agency assessment for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years. This assessment considers a child or young person’s education, health and social care needs which may lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
Information from a child’s parent, a young person, the educational institution attended, health care professionals, an educational psychologist and where appropriate social care will be requested during this assessment.
An EHC plan will include:
- the views, interests and aspirations of the child and their parents or of the young person
- special education needs
- health needs which relate to their special education needs
- social care needs which relate to their special education needs
- the outcomes sought for the child or young person
- the special educational provision required by the child or young person
- any health provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which results in the child or young person having SEN
- any social care provision which must be made for a child or young person under 18 resulting from section 2 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act (1970)
- any social care provision reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities which results in the child or young person having SEN
- placement (name of school / setting attended / to be attended)
- personal Budget (including arrangements for direct payments)
- advice and Information (copies of all of the information gathered during the assessment)
Who can request an assessment?
Ordinarily, a setting, school or post 16 provider will request an EHC assessment, having followed a graduated response at SEN support stage. In addition, the following people can request an EHC assessment:
- the child’s parent
- a young person over the age of 16 but under the age of 25
- a health practitioner or social worker
How would the parent / carer, or a young person request an assessment?
Complete the request form
External services can contact ea.sen@bolton.gov.uk to request an assessment. Before requesting an assessment, please take the time to read through the SEN Support information.
How long does it take?
It takes 20 weeks from the point of requesting an assessment.
See flow chart outlining the different stages
What happens next?
The possible outcomes are:
- that an assessment is not necessary
- an assessment is needed and issuing an EHCP
- an assessment is needed and then determining that an EHCP is not necessary
The decision and reasons for not issuing an EHCP will be communicated to the child’s parent or the young person within a maximum of sixteen weeks from receiving the initial request. The parents/young person will be informed of their rights to appeal.
Complaints procedure
If you're unhappy with any aspect of help or support that has been provided you have the right to complain or appeal for any decision that has been made.
Complaints procedure
