EHC needs assessment requests

Most children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) will have their needs met with SEN Support in a mainstream place of learning.

An EHC plan is for under 25s with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 the following people may request an EHC needs assessment: 

• A person acting on behalf of a place of learning. For example, a teacher, or college staff. A request should have the knowledge and agreement of the parent or young person (where possible) 
• In respect of a child aged 0-16 and those aged 16-25 who cannot make a referral independently or with support A Parent, a person caring for a child or a family member  
• Young people with SEND (aged 16-25) who can make the request independently or with support 

It is possible for other professionals not listed above such as health and social care professionals to bring a child or young person who has or may have Special Education Needs to the attention of the Local Authority especially if they feel an assessment is needed.  

A wide range of support is available for children and young people with, or who may have Special Educational Needs. This support can be accessed without the need for an EHC needs assessment. Before considering an EHC assessment request it is helpful for parents and carers to: 

1. Read the SEN information report for the child's place of learning. This should be published on their website. It will give information about what they offer and the process to follow if you have concerns 
2. Discuss any concerns with the child or young person's school:  
   • Ask your child's teacher or Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) whether your child is receiving SEN Support, what that support is and how it is working. Many schools will have a document called an Individual Learning Plan or SEN Support Plan which can be shared with you
   • It is expected that all schools must provide the support set out here special educational provision we expect. Speak to the school about how this support is working, what outcomes are expected and what progress your child or young person is making and how this has been reviewed
   • Have meetings with your child or young persons school about the current support in place and further support and input which could be in place this could include seeking advice from external professional such as an Educational Psychologist
3. Contact our SEND and Inclusion Support Line on 0333 313 7165 for advice and guidance. The line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays
4.  Speak to Norfolk SEND IASS if you need more information, advice and support
5. If you are still unhappy with the SEN Support your child is receiving, try disagreement resolution
6. If you continue to have concerns and want to request an EHC needs assessment, discuss this with your child's place of learning. As part of this process, they will be able provide evidence of the SEN Support they have put in place for your child

If you are a professional who is considering making an EHC needs assessment request it is helpful if you have already taken the following steps: 

1. Have you referred to a school and community team if not could this now be done? 
2. Have you checked whether there is a coordinated approach around the family, such as an Early help for children and families assessment and plan (EHAP)? 
3. Have you discussed the child or Young person with The SEND and inclusion team? If not, can a referral or request for discussion now be made to consider what extra support could be considered without the need for a needs assessment request?
4. Have you considered and reviewed the Child or Young persons Individual Learning Plan/SEN support plan?
5. Have you contacted the council's SEND and Inclusion Support Line on 0333 313 7165? The line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays

You can use the 'Upload the request online' option below if you have either:

• Chosen to make your request in writing; or
• Used a needs assessment request form to make your request

Upload the request online

 It would be helpful if you could also upload: 

• A completed My views/ family conversation form which includes information sharing consent 
• A completed DP1 form (Word doc, 55 KB)
• Any supporting documentation including any expert reports

Read our SEND Privacy Notice (Easy Read version) (PDF, 3 MB). 

The SEND Privacy Notice (Easy Read version) document may not be accessible for some users. To request it in an alternative format, please email [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your information.

A request for a needs assessment can be made in various ways such as by using the available online forms:

• By email to [email protected]. Read our privacy notice to find out how we use your information.
• By telephone on 0333 313 7165
• In writing, to: Send and Inclusion, Lower Ground Floor, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, NR1 2DH

The Request is not required to be in certain format but to assist the process we have created the forms below which can be used to assist those entitled to make a request for an EHC assessment under the Children and Families Act 2014. If you choose to use the forms below it is not compulsory to complete all questions, but it is helpful if you can provide us with as much information as possible. If you do submit your request by post please do not send any original documents as we cannot guarantee they will be able to be returned to you.  

For professionals wishing to bring a child or young person with Special Education Needs to our attention they can either:

• Use the same contact details set out above
• Use the place of learning or professional form to assist

Places of learning or professionals

Schools or professionals involved with the child should complete:

EHC needs assessment form professionals (Word doc, 77 KB)

Early Years providers

Early years providers should complete:

EHC needs assessment form Early Years (Word doc, 79 KB)

Parent carers

Parent carers should complete:

EHC needs assessment form parent carers (Word doc, 75 KB)

Young people with SEND aged 16-25

Young people with SEND should complete:

EHC needs assessment form young people (Word doc, 70 KB)

Some of the documents available from this web page may not be accessible for some users. To request any of them in an alternative format, please email [email protected]. 

We will consider the request and any additional information supplied or available in respect of the child or young person. We will do an EHC needs assessment if, having considered all the available information, we are of the opinion that: 

• the child or young person has or may have special educational needs, and
• they may need special educational provision in accordance with an EHC plan

If we decide not to carry out a needs assessment because we believe the criteria have not been met, the child or young person can still access support. We will provide information on the available support and how to access it. 

The EHC needs assessment and plan timeline.