EHC NEEDS ASSESSMENT
You do not need all the answers before you ask for an assessment.
The assessment is how the evidence is gathered.
What it is, and whether your child qualifies.
The legal test is whether an assessment may be necessary
A local authority must consider two questions:
You do not have to prove before the assessment that your child definitely needs an EHCP. The purpose of the assessment is to gather the evidence needed to decide that question.
Does your child have, or may they have, special educational needs?
May it be necessary for special educational provision to be made through an EHC plan?
What is an EHC needs assessment?
It is a formal process in which the local authority obtains educational, health and, where relevant, social-care advice to decide whether an EHC plan is necessary.
Who can request one?
A request may be made by the child’s parent, a young person over compulsory school age and under 25, or a person acting on behalf of a school or post-16 institution.
When should you request one?
A request may be appropriate where the evidence suggests the child may have SEN and may require provision through an EHC plan.
Things families are often told before applying
“The school has to apply.”
No. A parent, a young person or a school can request an assessment. No one route has priority.
“Your child needs a diagnosis.”
No. The legal test concerns possible SEN and whether an EHC plan may be necessary, not a particular label.
“You must wait and gather more evidence.”
Not necessarily. Where the existing evidence suggests an EHC plan may be needed, an assessment can be requested.
“The school must spend all of its SEN budget first.”
There is no such legal requirement. Ordinary SEN support does not have to be completely exhausted before a request is made.
The individual evidence still matters, and the legal test must always be applied to the child’s own circumstances.
How we strengthen your request
We transform what you already know into a focused request, and show you what further evidence will strengthen it most.
Reviewing your evidence before submission
Identifying what is missing and how to obtain it
Drafting or strengthening the request letter
Advising on next steps following refusal or delay
The right evidence, presented clearly, is what turns a request into an assessment that cannot be ignored.
We make the assessment process clearer, structured and manageable, so you know what the law asks and what evidence to present.
Frequently asked questions
A request may be made by the child’s parent, a young person over compulsory school age and under 25, or a person acting on behalf of a school or post-16 institution.
No. The legal test is whether your child may have special educational needs and may need an EHC plan. A diagnosis can be useful evidence, but it is not a legal requirement.
Where the process continues to a final EHC plan, the overall statutory timeframe is usually 20 weeks.
Limited exceptions to these timescales can apply in specific circumstances.
Yes. School observations are evidence, but they are not the final answer. Parent evidence and home behaviour are relevant and carry legal weight, especially when a child masks at school.
Needs Assessment Support
£395 fixed fee + VAT
Not sure if your child qualifies? We review the evidence, explain the legal threshold, identify gaps, and draft a formal needs assessment request letter.
Not sure whether the evidence meets the threshold?
Tell us what has happened so far. We will help you understand the legal test, identify the strongest evidence and decide the most proportionate next step.