Poole EHC Plan Assessment Process in brief
1. Application of EHC Plan Assessment is received by Local Authority and
decision taken whether to carry out a Statutory EHC Assessment.
2. LA notifies young person/parent(s) or carer of decision within six weeks
from request of assessment. If decision is made to carry out a Statutory
Assessment an Assessment Co-ordinator and Assessment Team are
identified. If the decision is not to go ahead with a Statutory Assessment the
young person/parents(s) or carer and referrer are offered a meeting to
discuss the decision and provide feedback and told of their right to appeal
within a maximum of six weeks from request for assessment.
3. Where a request for a Statutory Assessment is not agreed appropriate
alternatives to support the child/young person will be identified.
4. Where a request for a Statutory Assessment is agreed the Assessment Coordinator will meet with the young person/parent(s) or carer for an initial
planning meeting to draw up an action plan for the process and to finalise
profile information. If required advice and information will be requested from
professionals and a date set for the EHC planning meeting.
5. Once advice is received an initial draft EHC Plan is produced and the
Assessment Coordinator holds an EHC planning meeting to discuss and
develop the EHC Plan with young person/parent(s) and Assessment Team
members making sure that there is enough time to read the plan in advance.
6. The draft EHC Plan is then taken to a Multi-Agency Advisory Group to agree
on the need for an EHC Plan and to then to allocate resources.
7. If it is agreed to go forward with an EHC Plan, the young person/parent(s)
have 15 calendar days to comment on the proposed plan and state a
preference for an educational institution or seek agreement if requesting a
personal budget. There is also the opportunity for a further meeting.
8. If it is decided that an EHC Plan is not required then the young
person/parent(s) will be notified of the decision and the right to appeal within
a maximum of 16 weeks from request for assessment. The Draft Plan is
then converted into a non-statutory plan for use in the setting.
9. When it is decided an EHC Plan is required the LA must consult with the
relevant professionals in the educational institution before naming them in the
EHC plan. The institution must respond within 15 calendar days.
10. Following consultation with the young person/parent(s), the proposed plan is
amended where needed and then issued. The LA notifies young person/
parent(s) of the option to access mediation and the right to appeal to the SEN
Tribunal. The maximum time for the whole process to be completed is 20
weeks.