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SEND Family Guidance

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EHCP and Legal Support Services

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Applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can feel daunting for many parents and carers. The process involves forms, assessments, and communication between professionals all while you’re trying to ensure your child receives the right education and care. Understanding your rights and knowing where to get help can make this process smoother and far less stressful.

At SEND Family Guidance, we provide clear advice and support for families navigating the EHCP process. Our aim is to help you understand how local authorities make decisions, what legal rights you have, and how to access help if you disagree with an outcome.

What Is an EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan, sometimes called a Care Plan (EHCP), is a legal document that describes a child or young person’s special educational, health, and social care needs. It sets out the additional support required so they can achieve the best possible outcomes in school or college.

EHCPs replace the old statements of special educational needs and bring education, health, and social care together under one coordinated plan. They are designed to ensure that everyone involved teachers, therapists, and local authority professionals works together to meet your child’s needs.

To learn more about how to start the application process, see our guide:

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an EHCP

The Role of the Local Authority

Your local authority is responsible for assessing whether your child requires an EHCP. This assessment gathers information from your child’s school or college, healthcare professionals, and other relevant experts.

Once complete, the local authority decides whether to issue a plan. If they refuse to issue one, you have the right to appeal. In this situation, you can request legal advice or representation to help you challenge the decision.

Our guide What to Expect from a Statutory Needs Assessment explains the process in detail, including timescales and what evidence is needed.

Understanding Your Rights

The SEND Code of Practice outlines how the EHCP system should operate across England. It explains what families can expect and ensures that local authorities meet their obligations. Parents and carers have a legal right to be involved in every stage of the process from the first assessment request to reviewing your child’s EHCP each year.

If you ever feel that the correct procedures haven’t been followed, or your child’s needs aren’t being met, you can raise the issue formally. This could involve mediation, a tribunal appeal, or, in serious cases, a judicial review.

Find practical guidance on how to protect your rights in Understanding Your Rights Under SEND Law.

When You Need Extra Help

Some families may need professional assistance during the EHCP process. If you’re struggling with paperwork, deadlines, or disagreements, you can seek legal representation or apply for legal aid depending on your circumstances.

SEND Family Guidance can connect you with independent professionals who provide expert support in mediation and tribunal cases. We also work with organisations offering free or low-cost legal advice for parents and carers.

If you’re preparing for a dispute or appeal, our article SEND Mediation vs Tribunal – What’s the Difference? explains both options and helps you decide which route is right for your family.

How We Support Families

Our role is to make sure families understand their rights, know what to expect, and feel confident throughout the process. We help you:

•           Understand how EHCPs work under the Code of Practice.

•           Communicate effectively with your local authority.

•           Review your child’s education, health, and care plan.

•           Access independent advice and support if you face challenges.

Please note: every child’s situation is unique. Our guidance is designed to empower you with knowledge so you can make informed decisions and get the right help when it matters most.

Related Reading

•           Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an EHCP

•           What to Expect from a Statutory Needs Assessment

•           SEND Mediation vs Tribunal – What’s the Difference?

•           Understanding Your Rights Under SEND Law

Why Northants SEND Family Guidance?

been through the EHCP process and I have battled the system.

let me help, support, listen and offer guidance in anyway I can.

over 20 years of experience and a special interest in neurodivergence.

A highly rated and qualified Children's Nurse

Seeking assistance in navigating the EHCP process? Share your details, and we'll reach out promptly. Your tailored guidance awaits - we are here to support you!

Upload professional reports. eg One Page Profile, Educational Psychologist, Occcupational Therapy

How can I help?

Assessment of Needs

The assessment includes a one-hour, in-home visit where I will observe and discuss your situation with you. I’ll then provide a written report with strategies to address any needs or behaviours, and I’ll also point you toward relevant services that may be beneficial. Additionally, I can provide guidance on the process and evidence needed for future support.

Please note that my assessment is NOT DIAGNOSTIC, and therefore I cannot provide a diagnosis. My report focuses on presenting behaviours and how to best manage and support them.

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EHCP Needs Assessment Request

An Education and Health Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) is the first step in obtaining an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) for your child. We can help you draft a compelling and comprehensive request for you to send to your local authority that gives you the best chance of success. If the request is accepted, the Local Authority will begin the Needs Assessment process. If the request is refused, the contents of the request can be used to form the basis of a Refusal to Assess (RTA) Appeal.
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EHCP Needs Assessment- Refusal to Assess - attendance at mediation

An EHCNA refusal isn’t the end of the process. We can prepare all necessary documents to submit the appeal, including (but not limited to) reviewing and advising with respect to law, evidence and tactics. We provide continued advice and support throughout the appeal process, including liaising and negotiating with the FTT SEND (“the SEND Tribunal”), school and local authority as appropriate. Attendance at formal mediation is available at additional cost.
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Draft EHCP critical Review

I will provide a comprehensive report detailing recommended changes to your child’s EHCP, ready to be submitted to the local authority within your specified timeframe. To ensure your child’s needs are accurately reflected and met, I will carefully review the Educational Psychologist’s report and other relevant professional documentation, cross-referencing them against the EHCP.

Additionally, I will ensure the language used in the EHCP is clear, unambiguous, and that the provisions are specific, detailed, and ideally quantified. This will not only assist in monitoring and enforcing the plan’s compliance but is also supported by the SEND Code of Practice and case law.

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Behaviour Support

Our very friendly and supportive behaviour specialist can offer you bespoke advice and support to help with any problem behaviours you are experiencing at home.

We can visit your home and lend a listening ear, offer strategies and techniques to help meet your child’s needs and make life a little bit easier for you.

We can cover topics such as Sleep difficulties, managing emotions, toileting problems and much more. 

 

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Attendance at meetings via Teams or in person

Are your school not listening? Do they not believe the level of need your child is displaying? Are they not on board with applying for an EHCP?

I can come along to meetings with school to hold them to account and help you and them build relationships and have your child’s need met. 

I can also attend meetings with the Local Authority or other SEND relevant professionals via virtual attendance or in person.

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DLA and PIP Application and Review Service

If you would like us to complete the application for you or to check you are receiving the correct rates then this service is for you. This will take the stress out of claiming completely.

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Training for Schools or early years settings

We offer a setting subscription service so that you have access to expert advice which can be personalised for individual children. 

What is included in the subscription?

  • Unlimited* Pre arranged teams meetings or phone calls with myself when you need advice or supervision. 
  • I can provide you with resources to help individual children.
  • I can attend meetings with parents via Teams, should you need extra support. *Meetings in person are chargeable at my hourly rate.

Cost £200 per term or £550 annually.

*Bespoke training tailored to your setting and staff can be arranged at an extra cost.

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Appeals, Mediation and Tribunal Support

We can support you through the process of appeals and going to a tribunal. We will take the stress out of the situation and do the hard work for you.

We can cover-

  • EHCP Refusal to Assess Appeal
  • EHCP Refusal to Issue Appeal
  • EHCP Content Appeal


We will be able to signpost you to legal professionals to work with us to fight and win your case.

Please ask for more details, final price depends on time taken and complexity.

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More from Northamptonshire Send Family Guidance & Advocacy Service

What does everyone Say?

Vikki's wealth of knowledge combined with her kindness made a very difficult and confusing situation so much easier to navigate. She went above and beyond to support us through mediation and always checked in personally to see how WE were. A fantastic service.
Hannah Hawkins
Rated 5 out of 5
Thank goodness for this service! It meant had the EHCP critically read so that it can be legally enforced, Vikki took care of it all so it was stress free, thank you so much
Lisa P
Rated 5 out of 5
I found Vikki through Facebook and am so glad I did. After our first consultation, I felt understood and supported. Vikki helped me raise concerns at a school meeting and used her expertise to put crucial support in place for my son that he wouldn’t have received otherwise. She’s a comforting, reassuring person, and I highly recommend her services.
Hayley Abraham
Rated 5 out of 5
I used Northants SEND Family Services for an EHCP application, and speaking to Vikki was a breath of fresh air. After feeling overlooked, Vikki explained each step with expert advice and genuine understanding. She supported us through the challenging process, and I couldn’t have done it without her. I’m so grateful for her help in achieving the EHCP.
Stacy Smith-Bolton
Rated 5 out of 5
Vikki is so lovely. She totally understood what my daughter is like and let her talk at her own pace. I'm so glad she came round to see us today and can't wait to see the help she is going to give us in the future
Sarah Lovell
Rated 5 out of 5
Vikki is amazing at what she does. For any parent that feels they've exhausted all avenues that seem to be available, but having spoken to Vikki, I now know theirs so much more information and help available.
Karen Seiles
Rated 5 out of 5
Really friendly, and a great deal of knowledge across what can be an over whelming mind field for SEND parents. Highly recommended
Leah Hughes
Rated 5 out of 5
Friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable service.
Rebecca Smith
Rated 5 out of 5