Frequenly Asked Questions
WHAT IS SEND?
Special Educational Needs and Disability.
WHAT RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES IN TERMS OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE?
Local governments must provide an independent service that provides information, advice, and support to families, including young people with SEND. These services are designed to assist young people with SEND in obtaining the services they require. For example, they should provide information and advice to help young people understand their legal rights and how to get access to local services.
WHAT IS AN EDUCATION, HEALTH AND CARE (EHC) PLAN?
An EHC Plan will take the place of current SEN Statements and Learning Difficulty Assessments.
The plan will be a legal document that describes the needs of a young person, the provision to meet those needs, and the appropriate educational placement.
The government has stated that the plan must be person-centred, focusing on the child’s needs and aspirations.
EHC plans will be extended to include further education and training, as well as some young people up to the age of 25.
It is critical that young people, as well as their parents and caregivers, play a central role in the development of these plans.
WHO WILL HAVE AN EDUCATION HEALTH AND CARE (EHC) PLAN?
The Department of Education has stated that an EHC Plan will be issued to any child or young person who currently has a Statement or Learning Difficulty Assessment.
Children and young people will require an EHC needs assessment before the Local Authority can decide whether to include SEN provision in an EHC Plan.
According to guidance, EHC Plans should be issued when the local authority believes that the child’s special educational needs cannot be reasonably met with resources normally available to mainstream early childhood care, school, and post-16 institutions.
WHO WILL HAVE AN EDUCATION HEALTH AND CARE (EHC) PLAN?
If a child has special educational needs, the school or educational setting is required to notify parents and young people over the age of 16. Parents and young people over the age of 16 can also request an assessment of their child’s Education, Health, and Care needs.
There are other ways to request an assessment; The Local Offer will walk you through the process.
Beginning in September 2014, Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) will replace statements. The need for an EHCP will be the same as it is for a statement.
MY CHILD DOES NOT HAVE A STATEMENT, BUT I BELIEVE THEY HAVE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS.
If a child has special educational needs, the school or educational setting is required to notify parents and young people over the age of 16. Parents and young people over the age of 16 can also request an assessment of their child’s Education, Health, and Care needs.
There are other ways to request an assessment; The Local Offer will walk you through the process.
Beginning in September 2014, Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) will replace statements. The need for an EHCP will be the same as it is for a statement.
WHAT RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO FAMILIES IN TERMS OF INFORMATION AND ADVICE?
Local governments must provide an independent service that provides information, advice, and support to families, including young people with SEND. These services are designed to assist young people with SEND in obtaining the services they require. They should, for example, provide information and advice to help young people understand their legal rights and how to access local services.
The Information, Advice and Support Service (IAS) provides free, impartial, and confidential advice to CYP who have a statement/Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
Please contact 01952 457176.
Independent support:
During the EHC assessment planning process, specially trained Independent Supporters will assist parents/caregivers or young people.
Please contact 01952 457176.
PODS (Parents Opening Doors) Parent Carer Forum:
PODS is a Telford and Wrekin-based independent charity for parent carers who have a child or young person between the ages of 0 and 25 years with a disability or additional need of any kind – giving you the opportunity to have your voice heard and to help ‘Make A Difference’.
Please contact them at 01952 271532 or 07775342092, or send an email to info@podstelford.org.
Inclusion and SEND:
Please call 01952 385385 to speak with your coordinator about the processes and/or services offered by the SEND and Inclusion Team.