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Home Educators' Guide to EHCP Annual Reviews

 

What is an EHCP Annual Review?

An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan) outlines the additional support your child with special educational needs (SEN) requires. It's legally mandated to review this plan annually to ensure it remains appropriate for your child's current needs and goals.

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Key Points:

  • Timing: Reviews happen every 12 months, calculated from the completion date of the last review, not the start date.

  • Participants: The local authority (LA) will involve you, the school (if applicable), and relevant professionals involved in your child's care.

  • Your Contribution: You can contribute your thoughts and feedback through various channels: attending review meetings, completing forms like Section A forms, or submitting information via email.

  • LA's Decision Timeline: The LA has 4 weeks after the review meeting to decide on the next steps for your child's EHCP.

  • Your Right to Appeal: You have the right to appeal the LA's decision at a tribunal.

 

The Review Process:

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Preparation (What to Expect):

  • Initiation: The LA will initiate contact to discuss the upcoming review, typically a few weeks beforehand.

  • Section A Forms: They may provide forms for your input (Section A forms) to gather your thoughts on your child's progress and any changes you feel are necessary.

  • Highlighting Progress and Concerns: This is your opportunity to highlight any achievements, challenges, or concerns regarding your child's current EHCP provisions. Be specific and provide examples where possible.

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Review Meeting (What Happens):

  • Invitation: You are invited to attend a meeting to discuss the effectiveness of the EHCP in achieving your child's goals outlined in Section E. This meeting can be held online or in person, depending on your preference and the LA's procedures.

  • Focus for Home Educators: As a home educator, it's important to remember that targets in Section E are typically geared towards a school setting. Discuss the progress made towards the broader outcomes outlined in the same section. Focus on your child's overall development and how the current EHCP provisions are facilitating it. Consider providing examples of your child's learning activities and achievements related to these outcomes.

  • Meeting Participants: The meeting may involve representatives from the LA, the school (if applicable), relevant professionals like therapists or educational psychologists, and yourself.

 

The Decision (Possible Outcomes):

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After considering everyone's input, the LA will decide on the following:

  • Maintain the EHCP: If the current plan effectively addresses your child's needs, the LA may choose to maintain it without changes.

  • Amend the EHCP: If your child's needs have evolved, or the current provisions require adjustments, the LA may propose amendments to the EHCP to better reflect your child's current situation. This could involve changes to the specified support, such as additional therapy sessions or adjustments to the funding arrangements.

  • Cease the EHCP: In rare cases, the LA may propose to cease the EHCP entirely. However, they cannot do so immediately. You have a legal right to appeal this decision through a tribunal process.

  • Reassess the Needs: If your child's needs have significantly changed, the LA might recommend a full reassessment to create a new EHCP that accurately reflects your child's current requirements.

 

Communication (What Happens Next):

The LA will inform you of their decision in writing within 4 weeks of the review meeting. They should clearly outline the reasoning behind their decision and the next steps, if applicable. This could include details on amended provisions, timelines for reassessment, or information on the tribunal process if you choose to appeal.

 

Additional Considerations:

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Extraordinary Reviews:

  • While reviews typically occur annually, you can request a review more often if your child's circumstances change significantly, impacting their educational needs. This could be due to a change in their health condition, learning difficulties, or your decision to home educate.

 

Tribunals as a Last Resort:

  • Tribunals can be a lengthy and stressful process. Consider working collaboratively with the LA to explore amendment options before resorting to a tribunal.

 

Home Education and LA Visits:

  • The LA cannot enter your home to assess your child's provision unless you explicitly invite them. Their role is to support you in your home education journey, not intrude on your privacy. The focus should be on your child's progress and development, not the specific environment.

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