Request an education, health and care needs assessment
How to prepare your request for an EHC needs assessment.
Prepare your request for an EHC needs assessment
Who can make a request for an EHC needs assessment
A school, college, or educational setting will most likely start the process for a child or young person. Usually, a process of evidence collection takes place, known as SEN support, which will provide identification evidence of need. If you are unsure, ask your child's teacher. You could also ask these questions..
Find out more about the guidance for settings on EHCNA requests (pdf format, 258 KB). The EHCNA decision-making guidance helps education settings determine when and how to request a statutory assessment for a child or young person’s (CYP) special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).
It outlines suggested evidence and information needed to demonstrate the necessity of an assessment, in line with the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. The guidance supports settings in showing that purposeful actions were taken through the graduated approach, leading to well-informed EHCNA applications and consistent, timely decisions from the local authority.
A parent or carer can ask for an assessment if they think their child is not progressing even with support.
Young people can request an assessment for themselves if they are aged 16 to 25.
The first step is to complete the 'request for an EHC assessment' form. Included in the form is a section called 'all about me'. You do not have to complete the 'all about me' profile, but it can help you provide the evidence to support your request.
If you prefer, you can write a letter requesting an EHC needs assessment or, if it is easier, give your views in person. You can also meet with your school's SEN officer, who will write down your thoughts for you.
An EHC needs assessment will not always lead to an EHC plan. The information gathered during an assessment may show other ways that the child or young person's needs can be met. Perhaps within the school, college or educational setting.
Preparing 'all about me' profiles
In Oxfordshire, parents are asked to create 'all about me' profiles. These profiles must focus on the child or young person with SEND. It's about their needs, their feelings, their views, and what support they need.
The profiles give us a clear picture of your child in all areas of their life. Not just school, but at home and in their leisure activities. Tell us about:
- their strengths
- the things they find difficult
- any areas for development
- the support they need
- what you and they hope for their future.
Read the SENDIASS guidance about providing information when requesting an EHC needs assessment.
Templates for 'all about me'
We have two templates that may help you plan your 'all about me' profiles. You do not have to answer all of the questions in these templates. You can include other information if you think it is helpful.
- Prompt questions for adults and older children (doc format, 13Kb)
- Prompt questions for very young children (doc format, 37Kb)
If you decide to apply for the EHC needs assessment online you can upload your profiles with the form.
Examples of 'all about me'
Here are some examples of the different ways that children and young people have completed their ‘All about me' profile.
- Example one (pdf format, 380Kb)
- Example two (pdf format, 340Kb)
- Example three (pdf format, 934Kb)
- Example four (pdf format, 159Kb)
- Example five (pdf format, 2.6Mb)
Making a one-page profile can be useful for an EHC needs assessment request and for use in your child’s setting or school.
Other sources of evidence
You can also send other evidence, for example:
- details about the level of support they already have
- reports from school, professionals, such as therapists or psychologists
- letters about exclusions or team around the family (TAF) minutes.