Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments and Plans

EHCNA process

The majority of children and young people with special education needs or disabilities (SEND) will have the support they need within local mainstream early years settings, schools or colleges. Within Suffolk this is called SEN Support.

The SEND Code of Practice says that “where, despite the school having taken relevant and purposeful action to identify, assess and meet the SEN of the child or young person, the child or young person has not made expected progress, the school or parents should consider requesting an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. To inform its decision the local authority will expect to see evidence of the action taken by the school as part of SEN support.” (6.63)

In some cases, an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) may lead to an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) being issued.

You can find out more about this process on the Suffolk Local Offer website.

Useful documents