The overall purpose of the Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is to make special educational provision to meet the special educational needs of the child or young person, securing the best possible outcomes for them across education, health and social care, and, as they get older, prepare them for adulthood.

It is intended for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) aged 0-25.

EHCP's are developed using coordinated assessments from all the services involved with the child or young person. The plan focusses on outcomes and must say how services will work together to meet the needs of the child or young person.

A statutory assessment for an EHCP should not be the first step in the process for helping to meet the needs of a child or young person but should be built on coordinated work that is already happening between families, educational settings and any other health or social care services involved.

All children that attend Southfield already have an EHCP.

Young people and families in Hertfordshire have helped to design the EHCP that we are using. We have opted to use the online review system that quickens the county review process and makes it easier for staff to collate information all in one place. We have found that parents have liked the option of remote meetings (held via TEAMS) so we now use this as our preferred method.

The EHCP puts children, young people and their families at the very centre of the process to make sure that their views are not only heard but also understood. The planning process uses outcomes focussed planning which helps families feel more in control.

You may find it helpful to talk to the Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SEND IASS) about EHCP's and Annual Reviews:

info@hertssendiass.org.uk

or you can call on:

Telephone: 01992 555847

Monday to Thursday 9.30am – 3pm

Friday 9.30am – 2.00pm