What happens after the request for assessment is made

The EHCP 20-week timeline

• Request and EHC assessment
• By 6 weeks the LA must tell the parent/carer if they will assess or not. (Parent/carer has the right to appeal if the decision is not to assess)
• By 16 weeks the LA must finish the assessment and decide if they will issue a plan. (Parent/carer has the right to appeal if the decision is not to issue a plan)
• Between 16 - 20 weeks the LA with send a draft plan. The parent has 15 days to comment and request a specific school/setting.
• (The local authority will consult regarding placement with the parent/carer and the school/setting) By 20 weeks the LA must complete the final EHC plan and name the school/setting in section 1. (Parent/carer has the right to appeal) 

If you have submitted a request using the e-form, you will get an automatic receipt by email and a copy of the form. If you have submitted a word-processed form, a representative from the SEN Team will confirm receipt of the request by email / letter.

The local authority has six weeks from receiving the request to decide whether to go ahead with the EHC needs assessment.

The request will be considered by the weekly Discussion and Decision Group Meeting (DaD1).

Waiting/learning well statement

To read about the impact of the level demand on your SEND Services please visit: Waiting/learning well

Early Help Contact as part of an Education Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)

Wiltshire Council will be offering a new approach to providing support and advice to parents and carers and young people as part of the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment.

An early help adviser will make contact by phone and have a conversation focussing on a child or young person's social care needs. They will discuss what is working well, what needs require additional support and share information on various services or organisations which may be helpful. This conversation will be entirely voluntary so people can choose to take part or decline the invitation to talk. If the adviser cannot reach a family they will be sent a letter in the post. Wiltshire Council is taking this approach to help children and young people with SEND access information and advice early.

This service will only be available for parents/carers and young people who are not already working with a social services professional. This new approach started on 1 December 2022. The new approach is called Early Help Contact and will be used as part of the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment. Wiltshire Council Early Help Hub is in partnership with the SEND service in adopting this approach.