It’s not easy, it’s certainly not quick, but the benefits of an EHCP make this process absolutely something worth fighting for.
Securing an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for a child with special needs and/or disabilities is a crucial step in ensuring that they receive the appropriate support and resources to thrive in their educational journey.
The EHCP is a legally binding document that outlines the specific educational, health, and social care needs of a child and the provisions required to meet those needs. For parents and caregivers navigating the complexities of the UK’s educational system, obtaining an EHCP can be transformative in ensuring their child receives the personalised support they require. However, for various reasons, it can be difficult to secure an EHCP, even when the child in question meets the criteria for an EHCP under the Children and Families Act.
If you have been looking to apply for an EHCP for your child, then you don’t want to miss our in-person workshop taking place at the Sunshine Hub in Derby on 30 April.
This full day event will be led by our Head of Advocacy Kelly Jarvis. Together with her team of experts they will taking you through absolutely everything you need to know about EHCPs and then they will be supporting you to write your application letter there and then – giving you a massively positive first step in your EHCP journey.
Tickets can be booked now here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1046764379437
What’s the benefits of getting an EHCP?
One of the primary benefits of an EHCP is the provision of tailored support to meet the unique needs of the child. Unlike the more generalised support offered through SEN Support at school level, such as an IEP (Individual Education Plan), an EHCP is a legally binding document which will identify a child’s needs and set out specific provision to meet those needs, which often falls outside that which the school would ordinarily put in place. This ensures that the child’s educational, health, and social care needs are comprehensively assessed and met. Whether it involves specialist teaching methods, additional classroom assistance, or therapeutic interventions, the EHCP provides – or should provide – a clear framework for delivering the appropriate support.
It provides legal protection and holds people accountable
An EHCP provides legal protection for the child and their family, whereby the Local Authority discharges the process of delivering the provision to the named school. Nevertheless, the Local Authority remains legally accountable for ensuring that provision is delivered; no if, but or maybe about it: this is a legal document. This legal obligation creates a level of accountability that is crucial for parents advocating for their child’s needs. If the support outlined in the EHCP is not being delivered, parents actually have the right to challenge the Local Authority via Judicial Review. If you disagree with the description of your child’s SEND, or the provision set out to meet those needs, or even if you disagree with the named school, you may escalate the issue to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal. This level of protection and enforceability is not available through less formal support arrangements (such as an IEP), making the EHCP a powerful tool for securing the appropriate resources.
Here at Sunshine Support, we’re excellent at supporting parents who are struggling with various aspects of their child’s SEND journey. From our free Cuppa&Chat meetings (both online and in-person), to a fantastic Sunshine Academy subscription services and webinars, as well as our highly regarded SEND Advocate team, we’re here to support you on so many levels.
EHCPs provide enhanced access to resources and funding
With an EHCP in place, children are entitled to additional resources and funding that may not otherwise be available. This could include access to specialised equipment, one-to-one support, or specific educational programmes that cater to their needs. The plan can also facilitate access to health services such as speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, or counselling, which are essential for many children with SEND.
The allocation of these resources is vital in providing a holistic approach to a child’s education, addressing their wider developmental needs alongside their academic progress. In addition to SMART targets, the EHCP can track the progress of the child, with the provision being tailored at each annual review to ‘grow’ with the child as they develop. The EHCP can also be kept in place beyond school, up until the age of 25 or when the young person goes to University – both mean the plan will cease. But there are many forms of other further education where an EHCP would provide specific, tailored support to allow that young person to achieve their potential.
Designed to improve collaboration between agencies
An EHCP encourages better collaboration between educational, health, and social care agencies. The process of creating the plan involves input from various professionals, including teachers, healthcare providers, and social workers, as well as the parents who know the child best, ensuring a coordinated approach to the child’s care and support. This multi-agency collaboration is crucial in addressing the diverse and often complex needs of children with SEND, ensuring that all aspects of their development are considered and supported.
There’s evidence of greater long-term outcomes
Ultimately, securing an EHCP can significantly improve the long-term outcomes for a child with special needs or disabilities. By providing the necessary support from an early stage, the EHCP helps to ensure that the child can achieve their full potential in education and beyond. This can lead to children with SEND having the right tools to meet their full potential, greater confidence, increased independence, and a more positive future outlook. This is why we’re so passionate about SEND support here at Sunshine Support – our children with SEND are legally entitled to an education that is equitable and accommodates their needs, but it can feel like the system is ‘against’ you despite the massive benefits of having an EHCP in place. With our support, you could successfully apply for an EHCP, with a wonderful outcome.
In need of help securing an EHCP? Sunshine Support can help you.
We would love you to join us at our in-person EHCP workshop on 30 April, held at the Sunshine Hub in Derby.
Our highly regarded team of advocates will be at your disposal for a whole day to teach you all you need to know about:
- Education Law – the different pieces of legislation you need to know and where to find them
- Evidence – what constitutes evidence and why
- Assessments, diagnoses and reports – the relevance and importance of each
- The assessment process and your rights throughout
- How to hold the council accountable
- Appeals
- The Judicial Review process – when and why we may need to explore this
- Your mental health and wellbeing
Once we have explored all of this we will break for lunch and then we will get cracking on writing the application letter together! Our advocates will be on hand to assist you, answer your questions and provide all you need during this brilliant day of learning and support.
There will be activities to help keep you engaged and help you check your understanding throughout… Our sessions are always neurodivergent friendly and accessible.
Tickets can be booked here now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1046764379437
