If your child or young person has special educational needs that go beyond what their school can provide, you may need to request an EHC needs assessment. This is the first step in deciding whether your child requires an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan to ensure they receive the right level of support.
Understanding what happens during the process helps you feel more confident when working with your local authority, schools, and professionals.
What Is an EHC Needs Assessment
An EHC needs assessment is carried out by your local authority to identify a child’s educational, health, and social care needs. The purpose is to find out whether the child needs extra help through a formal EHC plan.
This assessment is guided by the SEND Code of Practice, which ensures that every child’s needs are properly recognised and supported. The process usually takes up to 20 weeks from start to finish.
You can request an assessment yourself as a parent or carer, or your child’s school or college can make the request on your behalf. The local authority must reply within six weeks to confirm whether they will carry out the full assessment.
How the Assessment Works
Once agreed, the local authority collects evidence and information from everyone involved in your child’s development. This includes:
• You, as the parent or carer
• Your child or young person
• The school or nursery
• An educational psychologist
• Health professionals such as doctors or therapists
• Social care teams if involved
All this information helps the authority build a full picture of your child’s abilities, challenges, and required support. The process looks at how your child learns, communicates, and manages daily activities both in school and at home.
What Happens Next
When the information has been gathered, the local authority reviews the evidence to decide whether to issue an EHC plan. If agreed, a draft plan is shared with you so you can check it carefully and suggest any changes before it becomes final.
If the authority decides not to issue a plan, they must explain their reasons in writing and tell you how to appeal or request mediation. Even if a plan is not approved, the assessment itself can provide valuable insights that help improve the support your child receives at school.
How We Can Help
At SEND Family Guidance, we support parents and carers through every stage of the EHC needs assessment. We help you prepare your request, gather evidence, and understand your rights under the Education, Health and Care framework.
By working together with schools, health services, and your local authority, we can ensure that your child or young person gets the educational and social care support they deserve.
