SEND local offer - education, health and care plans (EHCP)

Why a child or young person might need an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Assessment

An assessment might be needed in order for the Local Authority to decide whether it needs to make provision in accordance with a plan. This means that a child or young person may need a more intensive level of specialist help that cannot be met from the resources normally available to schools and other settings to provide SEN support.

An assessment may not always mean a child or young person receives an EHCP but it can provide extra information to help the education provider meet their needs.

In Stockton-on-Tees we would expect a child or young person to need an EHC assessment and an EHCP if they needed to attend a special school or specialist setting (for example, the Early Support Nursery), or if they are over 19 and need special educational provision.

We would not necessarily expect a child or young person to need an assessment or a plan to receive high needs top up funding in mainstream education including further education. We would also not necessarily expect them to need an assessment or plan to access a place in one of Stockton-on-Tees' enhanced mainstream schools.

What is an EHCP and who is it for?

The following animation explains more about EHCPs and who they are for.

The EHCP and the person centred connection

The following animation explains the person centred connection regarding EHCPs.

Annual review process - advice and information for schools

Documents and forms relating to advice and protocols for schools on the annual review of a pupil with an EHCP are available on our new Microsite Teams site for SEND Professionals. 

For more information visit our professionals page.