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Are you a parent or tutor trying to understand EHCPs?
We discuss what EHCPs are, how they work, the process of getting an EHCP, strategies and more.
Dr Rosie Ingold, a Snr. Education Consultant at Bright Heart, did a presentation for The Tutors’ Association last month. Here she covered what EHCPs are, how they inform best practice, what EOTAS is and some general challenges. Please see this video further below. We have covered some of these topics below as a simplified summary.
An EHCP is a legal document for young people who require additional support, more than their current setting can provide. It’s for people who have a hard time learning in mainstream settings or have disabilities that make it tough to access education. Some examples of these needs are being in a wheelchair, having trouble seeing or hearing, or having trouble focusing. An EHCP can help these students with support, covering their education, health and social care.
An EHCP is a plan to help children with special needs. It has information from different professionals such as teachers, doctors, and social workers. They work together to make a detailed plan that meets all of the student’s needs. This plan helps the student in the best way possible.
EHCPs are plans that help students with their strengths and challenges. They make sure that students learn in a way that is best for them, which might include special materials, therapy, or tools. The goal is to give each student what they need to succeed and move forward.
EHCPs are helpful for students and connected professionals. Students are given a pathway to help them towards independence. They also make sure the students get the support they need to learn better. For teachers, EHCPs show how to teach each student in a way that suits them best.
EHCPs are important for parents because they help them be involved in their child’s education and give them peace of mind. They also help schools and service providers collaborate to ensure the student receives the best learning experience possible.
If a parent wants an EHCP for their child, they need to ask the local authority. The local authority has 6 weeks to decide if they should do an EHC needs assessment. They will look at whether the school has tried to help the child, but they are still not making progress. This previous blog is helpful outlining the process.
If you are 16 or older, or a teacher, you can start the EHCP process.
The LA will decide if someone needs an EHC plan by doing a special assessment called an EHC needs assessment.
The EHC needs assessment may not always lead to an EHCP being given. Sometimes, the report might say that the child’s school or college can take care of their needs without one.
Education Other Than At School (EOTAS) means learning outside of a registered educational setting. It is a legal mechanism for students who have special needs, have an EHCP, and are unable to attend an educational setting. This can include learning at home or a library, receiving adapted lessons, doing online classes, or working on projects in the community. It is not the same as choosing to homeschool your child (elective home education).
Some students can do much better in EOTAS settings. For example, a student who feels anxious may do better 1:1 at home than in a large school with many pupils. These students often say that they make more progress than in school, have more confidence and self-esteem.
The longer term plan can still be reintroduction to a school setting. Parents who embark on the EOTAS route will still need to check that there is progress being made, which is usually determined at Annual Reviews with the local authority.
A big issue with implementing EHCPs is not having enough money to do everything that needs to be done. Schools and local leaders struggle to find the funds needed to support students with EHCPs. Sadly, this means that some students may not receive all the help they need. Parents often take legal action in these situations as the EHCP is a legally binding document.
Schools sometimes don’t have enough trained people like SEN teachers, therapists, and support staff. This makes it difficult for them to give the right amount of help to students who need it. As a result, the plans in place for helping these students may not be effective and could make it challenging for them to learn and grow.
Each student’s plan is unique, so it is imperative stakeholders work together to achieve the EHCP objectives. Communication can be a challenge in these situations and parents would be advised to log and note all communication carefully.
As students grow and learn, their education plans may need to be updated. Everyone involved must be willing to make changes and work together to make sure each student gets the support they need with learning, health and social care.
An EHCP is made with the help of many people, including the parent, family, teachers, and healthcare workers. The young person’s needs, strengths, and goals are recorded to create a representative plan. Where content becomes more contentious between parties, is usually regarding the level of support detailed for the young person.
The plan should be reviewed at least once a year to make sure it still works for the young person. During these annual reviews, it is discussed how far the young person has come and to make appropriate changes. These are then actioned by the stakeholders and therapists.
We hope the above is helpful – feel free to get in touch should you be looking to embark on this journey or have questions about your EHCP for your child. Our Education Consultants and Client Managers are happy to help. You can also watch Dr Rosie Ingold’s more detailed presentation on EHCPs below should you need more information.
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