EHC plans stage two - assessment

In this section:

Stage two (weeks 6 to 12): What happens during the assessment process?

Following a decision by Solihull Council that an EHCP needs assessment is required, assessments will be requested as standard practice from

  • Solihull Education Psychology Service
  • Health
  • SOLAR 
  • Education setting
  • Early Years Team (if the child is 5 and under)
  • Social care (if, after triaging, the social worker on the SEN Panel is of the view that a social care assessment is required, or the parents have specifically requested a social care assessment is completed),

Further advice will be sought from the education setting or any other professional involved with the child or young person. Solihull Council will consider whether it is reasonable to request advice and information from any person requested by the parents or young person (if over 16). Advice from the youth offending team will be requested where the child or young person is detained in a young offender institution.

The EHCP officer will arrange a person centred meeting with the child or young person, parents, and education setting (if the child or young person is on the roll of a school). At the meeting the following information will be gathered:

  • the child or young persons views, wishes, and aspirations,
  • the parents views, wishes, and aspirations for their child,
  • the background information of the child or young person,
  • the strengths of the child or young person,
  • the needs of the child or young person,
  • the support they are currently receiving in their educational setting,
  • the outcomes for the child to work towards to enable them to achieve their aspirations.

The EHCP officer brings together all the information gathered and presents the case to the multi-agency SEN panel.

What should I expect to happen during the assessments being completed by professionals?

Professionals must undertake relevant assessments and:

  • information required to identify the needs of the child or young person and to identify resources which are supporting the child or young person already
  • professionals will identify the outcomes required with the child or young person. Their views about their future will be central
  • work with parents and the child or young person to co-produce the information for the EHCP
  • whenever possible assessment within and across agencies should be coordinated to avoid too much disruption for the family
  • professionals should limit their advice to areas in which they have expertise