EHCP Wizard

What is an EHC Needs Assessment?

An Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment is the first step to getting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for your child.

Who can request one?

• Parents or carers
• Young people aged 16–25
• Schools or colleges

What happens during the assessment?

1. Request submitted – by parent, young person, or school.
2. Local Authority decides – within 6 weeks they must reply yes or no.
3. Information gathering – reports collected from school, health, parents, etc.
4. Decision – LA decides if an EHCP is needed.
5. EHCP issued – if agreed, a draft EHCP is prepared and finalised with support in place.

Why it matters

An EHCP is a legally binding document that ensures your child gets the right help in education, health, and care. It also gives you a formal route to challenge decisions if support is refused.

Requesting an assessment can feel daunting, but the right letter makes all the difference.