You can request an EHC needs assessment if you are:
- a parent, carer or foster parent
- the child's nursery, school or college
- a health professional or other person involved with the child
- a young person aged 16 or over and still in education.
Parents and carers can request an EHC needs assessment by filling in this EHC assessment request form.
The SENCo (a designated staff member in the school who oversees the support for children and young people with SEND), can help with the application process.
The Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) can also help. This is a free service for children and young people. They can help you find out about your rights under the law and about the (EHC) needs assessment.
Educational settings can also request an EHC needs assessment using the EHC assessment request form below. Any request not made by a parent or carer must have their full knowledge and agreement.
In both cases, please return this completed form to send@lbhf.gov.uk
Your local authority will inform you of the outcome of the panel by week 6 in writing and may be followed up by a telephone call.
Children younger than 2 years old
It is not always appropriate to carry out an EHC needs assessment for children who are younger than 2 years old. However, EHC casework team will consider the most appropriate ways forward and discuss these with parents, carers and professionals as needed.
If they do decide not to assess a child's needs, they'll explain the reasons why and whether an appeal can be made.
Children in care
In Hammersmith &Fulham, The Virtual School is in place to support children looked after.
The virtual school helps children in care to gain a first-class education throughout their childhood, including making sure they get into the right school for them, and receive the best possible support through the education system.
The EHC casework team liaise with the virtual school team to ensure that:
- EHC needs assessments for children in care are carried out promptly
- children in care with an EHC plan in place have effective annual reviews to review their needs, the goals they are aiming for, and the support required.