For some students, additional support through an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) may be necessary to help them access learning and make expected progress. However, this is not the first step in our support process. An EHCP will only be requested by school when both the school and parents/carers agree that a high level of ongoing support is needed. Parents/carers can request an assessment directly through the Local Authority by scanning this QR code which takes you to a link to download the parent request form:
The majority of students do not require an EHCP, and attending New Heights School does not automatically mean a plan is needed.
Applying for an Education Health Care Needs Assessment is a joint process between family and school. Information is collected from both and submitted to the Local Authority. Below is a summary of the process:
https://fisd.liverpool.gov.uk/kb5/liverpool/fsd/localoffer.page?localofferchannel=3
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 who require significant support beyond what a school can ordinarily provide through SEN Support.
The process usually begins when the school or a parent/carer recognises that a child’s needs are not being fully met despite targeted support. A request for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) can then be made.
A request can be made by the school, parent/carer, or another professional.
Timeframe: The local authority must decide whether to carry out an assessment within 6 weeks of receiving the request.
If the local authority agrees, it will gather information from professionals in health and social care, as well as from the child, their parents/carers, and the school.
Timeframe: This information-gathering stage takes up to 6 weeks.
After considering all the evidence, the local authority will decide whether to issue an EHCP.
Timeframe: This decision must be made within 16 weeks of the initial request.
If an EHCP is to be issued, a draft plan is shared with parents/carers, and school. Families can comment on the content and request a preferred school placement.
Timeframe: Parents have 15 days to respond to the draft.
The local authority must issue the final EHCP within 20 weeks of the initial assessment request. The plan outlines your child’s needs, desired outcomes, and the specific support that must be put in place by the school and other services.
If the local authority decides not to proceed with an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) after a request is made, or chooses not to issue an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) following the assessment, parents and carers will receive a written explanation outlining the reasons for the decision.
If you disagree with the outcome, you have the right to challenge it. Support is available through mediation services, legal advice, or SEND-focused organisations such as SENDIASS. One option for mediation is Mediate Legal, which offers information and support for resolving SEND disputes and is a service used by Liverpool Local Authority. Their contact details should always be on correspondence you receive from the Local Authority regarding the outcome of a request.
Further guidance on your rights and available support can also be found on the Liverpool Local Offer website.
