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
- Get parental consent to request an assessment using the SA1B: Statutory assessment consent form [194.7 KB] [docx]
- Complete the Setting EHC needs assessment form [175.3 KB] [docx]
- Email your form with any additional evidence to sen.caseworkassistants@eastsussex.gov.uk
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
- Get parental consent to request an assessment using the SA1B: Statutory assessment consent form [194.7 KB] [docx]
- Complete the Early Years EHC needs assessment form [153.5 KB] [docx]
- Email your form with any additional evidence to sen.caseworkassistants@eastsussex.gov.uk
For help to assess and evidence the child’s level of need, you can use the Early years developmental journal | CDC
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
Email: sen.caseworkassistants@eastsussex.gov.uk
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.
