Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment
You can request an Education Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment for a child or young person if:
- you think they need further support
- they are not making progress despite high quality SEN support
An EHC needs assessment is also known as a statutory assessment.
Please look at the SEN Matrix guidance before completing a request for an EHC needs assessment.
How to request an EHC needs assessment
All schools and settings
- Firstly read the SEN Matrix guidance
- Ensure Parent/Carers have completed the Data Notice Form and include this with your request (available as an electronic version that can be completed digitally [120.8 KB] [docx] or a printable version that can be completed by hand [108.6 KB] [docx])
- Complete the Setting EHC needs assessment form [197.1 KB] [docx]
- Email your form with any additional evidence to sen.caseworkassistants@eastsussex.gov.uk
- See the EHC NA request guidance for school age and post 16 [2.4 MB] [pptx]
Early years settings
- Discuss your concerns with the child’s SEND early years adviser or practitioner before submitting your request for an EHC needs assessment
- Ensure Parent/Carers have completed the Data Notice Form and include this with your request (available as an electronic version that can be completed digitally [120.8 KB] [docx] or a printable version that can be completed by hand [108.6 KB] [docx])
- Complete the Early Years EHC needs assessment form [190.3 KB] [docx]
- Email your form with any additional evidence to sen.caseworkassistants@eastsussex.gov.uk
- Guidance on making an EHC Needs Assessment Request – Early Years [3.6 MB] [pptx]. Supporting video below.
For help to assess and evidence the child’s level of need, you can use the Early years developmental journal | CDC
- Supporting video for PowerPoint guidance on making EHCNA Requests
Guide for parents
Share these documents with the parents when you request an EHC needs assessment.
They provide an overview of and timescales for the assessment:
- EHC needs assessment - overview [136.6 KB] [docx]
- EHC needs assessment - 20 week timeline [165.0 KB] [pdf]
If you need these documents in an alternative format, get in touch:
Phone: 01273 336 740
Consulting with education settings
If the Local Authority agrees to issue an EHC plan, consultations are sent out to ascertain the most appropriate educational setting.
From Monday 29 April 2024, a consultation form [63.8 KB] [docx] will be used for statutory school-aged children.
Consultation forms are currently in development for early years children and young people in post-16 education.
The consultation guidance document [609.0 KB] [docx] provides further details.
