Your views

We must consider the views, wishes and feelings of the child and their parents. The 'My views/family conversation form' can be used to record this information.

Download the My views/family conversation form

We must consider:

• The aspirations of the child, young person and the parents
• The outcomes they wish to seek
• The support they need to achieve them

These must all be clearly set out in the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan. 

It is particularly important to capture these wishes and aspirations as soon as possible in the EHC plan process. This is so all decisions can be made with these wishes and aspirations in mind.

Helpful tools

There are also several tools which parent carers can use with their child or young person to help develop this information:

• One page profile - a simple summary of what is important to someone and how they want to be supported
• Relationship map (pdf) - helps families think about the people who are involved in all areas of the child or young person’s life
• What’s working, what’s not working tool (pdf) - looking to the future, it might help to think about what is working and what is not working and needs to be changed
• Decision making tool (pdf) - this is in two parts. A decision making profile and a decision making agreement. These help families support their child to make decisions and record how these decisions will be made

How we help

We will help support and encourage children, young people and parent carers to be involved in the EHC needs assessment and plan development process by:

• Giving information in accessible formats
• Being clear about the purpose of meetings
• Allowing everyone time to prepare for discussions and meetings
• Dedicating time in discussions and meetings to hear everyone’s views

Some children and young people may also require support from someone. An advocate could be a family member or a professional. This to ensure that their views are heard and acknowledged.

Children and young people may need support in expressing views about:

• Their education
• Their health
• The future and how they would like to prepare for it
• Where they would like to live
• Relationships
• Control of their finances
• How they would like to be part of the community  
• How they will achieve greater independence

For children and young people who need or would like this support, we will ensure this is available.

Independent help

Independent support, information and advice for families is also available through other support groups and organisations.