By Helen Croucher
Magic Words Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
If a professional has said your child may benefit from an EHCP, or if your child has special educational needs (SEN), this post is for you!
The other day I was working with a child with significant speech, language, and communication needs, who has just got an Education and Health Care Plan, or EHCP for short. His Mum told me that now she has the document in her hand, the main thing she feels is relief. Relief that it is done, and reassurance that her child can access the coordinated support they desperately need. She told me with a sigh that it had been a learning curve applying for the EHCP, which was daunting and stressful at times. Now she is at the end of the process, she is still getting to grips with everything involved and learning where to get help when needed. She is not alone in feeling like this. In March 2022, the government’s review of the national SEND provision found that families across the country are finding it challenging to navigate our SEND system. This inspired me to write a post to help families starting their EHCP journey, and hopefully answer some initial questions families may have.
So, what is an EHCP anyway?
An Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document describing the special education, health and care needs of the child or young person relating to their disability or differences. It outlines all the extra help, care and support they will need to access learning.
How do I know if my child needs one?
If your child has significant, long-term difficulties affecting their health and learning and has been assessed as needing additional support, they may meet the criteria for an EHCP. Usually, the child’s education setting or a healthcare professional will discuss with you if they think your child may benefit from one. Your child’s education setting should have tried all available resources to support your child first before considering an EHCP.
What is the benefit of having an EHCP?
An EHCP outlines a child or young person’s current needs and what exactly is needed to meet their needs. It may include specific input, for example, that the child needs 10 hours of direct speech and language therapy a year. It may help inform school placement (e.g.: whether a mainstream or specialist setting is more appropriate). How successful an EHCP is in practice depends on how specific it is regarding the amount of care needed, what the care should look like, what training is needed etc., plus how it is delivered in the setting. It’s important that EHCPs are reviewed regularly to make sure they reflect the child’s changing needs. This is done via annual reviews of their progress every 12 months minimum.
How do I apply for one?
There are 2 ways:
1. Directly via your local authority:
https://www.gov.uk/children-with-special-educational-needs/extra-SEN-help
2. Ask your child’s school or nursery to apply on your behalf
What is the process?
The process may vary slightly from one local authority to another, but the general process is:
1. Gather evidence and apply it either directly or via your child’s education setting.
2. Send reports or assessments from your child’s speech and language therapist, education setting, and other professionals involved, plus information from the parent or carer.
3. The local authority acknowledge receipt and will pass the application to the “panel”. The panel decide if an EHCP will be made for your child. It may include professionals from the following areas.
· Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team
· Educational Psychology (EP) Service
· Specialist Teaching and Advice Service
· Local mainstream, special schools or further education providers
· Social care
You should know within 16 weeks if an EHCP will be made for your child. If the application isn’t accepted you can challenge the decision or gather more evidence to reapply.
4. If accepted, your child will be allocated a SEND caseworker. The SEND caseworker will ask professionals involved to assess your child, outline their strengths and needs, and document the exact care needed to meet these needs.
5. The SEND caseworker will compile the information and results into a draft document and send this out to you to review around 14 weeks into the process.
6. Parents and carers need to review the content and respond to the draft within 15 days.
7. Once parents/carers have approved it, the document will be finalised and distributed to all involved.
How long does it take?
Approximately 20 weeks from application to finalised EHCP.
How can Magic Words Therapy help?
We support hundreds of children with speech and language therapy specified in their EHCPs in a range of settings across London, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridge, Birmingham, and Northamptonshire. We help families by:
- Helping them navigate the application process
- Signposting to resources and information
- Consulting with professionals supporting your child
- Providing detailed assessments and reports for the application and EHCP writing process
- Delivering quality and tailored speech and language therapy as specified in individuals’ EHCPS, when the local authority cannot provide it.
- Providing second opinions and medico-legal reports for challenges to the EHCP and for tribunals
Contact Magic Words Therapy to discuss your child’s individual needs and how we can help.
Useful links and resources
Your local authority website
