Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment
An Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment checks what help a child or young person needs. It looks at their special education needs and what support they need to make progress in their learning and development.
Who can request an EHC needs assessment?
The following people can ask for an education, health and care needs assessment of a child/young person:
- self-referral - if you are 16 or older, you can apply for an EHC needs assessment under the Children and Families Act 2014
- parent or guardian referral - parents, carers or legal representatives of the child or young person
- education setting – schools, early years
- professionals – involved in supporting the child
Did you know, you can request an assessment online?
If you haven't used the portal before, you will need to register first.
For help, contact SENART on 01924 302645 or email sengroup@wakefield.gov.uk
What is the Education, Health and Care needs assessment process?
Some children need extra support to make progress. Schools have a budget for special educational needs (SEN) to provide this support.
1. First step - talk to the SENCO
If you think your child needs extra help, speak to your school's SEN Coordinator (SENCO). They will work with you to make a Support Plan. This plan explains your child's strengths, needs and how the school will help.
2. Request an assessment
If this Support Plan isn't enough, you, the school, or a professional can ask for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment. This request will come to Wakefield's Special Education Needs Assessment and Review Team (SENART).
This is the first step towards an EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan).
Wakefield SENART will review the information and decide if an EHC needs assessment is required. This will take six weeks. And you will be contacted with the outcome.
To proceed with the needs assessment SENART will start to gather information. This will be from you, the school and professionals. Professionals such as, Educational Psychologists, from health and social care services too.
The Education, Health and Care plan will:
- describe your child’s needs
- list the support the must receive
- set goals for learning and development
This plan is legally binding and the school must follow it. Sometimes extra funding or personal budget is included in the plan.
The whole process should take 20 weeks from the date of your request.
SENART
SENART stands for Special Educational Needs Assessment Review Team. In Wakefield, SENART are responsible for the EHC needs assessments and reviewing Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). They also manage the payments of SEN funding to schools and personal budgets.
Your key contact within SENART is your child’s Casework Officer. They will submit evidence to the panel, attend review meetings and ensure you’re kept informed.