EHCPs
Children in Care (CiC) and EHCPs – Coventry SEND guidance
- Notification of EHCPs: For all Children in Care (CiC), the Coventry SEND Team must be informed if a child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
- Kellie Jones is the CiC Plan Coordinator for children from Reception to Year 10.
- EHCPs for Year 11 pupils are transferred to the post-16 SEND Team.
- Virtual School (VS) Advisory Teacher Must always be involved in any SEND-related communication.
- Children living outside Coventry:
- The Local Authority (LA) where the child resides is responsible for maintaining the EHCP and securing appropriate education.
- Coventry remains the funding authority.
- This process can be complex—The Coventry Virtual School Advisory Teacher is involved throughout.
Considering an EHCP for a CiC
- If a child in care may require an EHCP, their needs should be reviewed regularly with the social worker actively involved. A child with a EHCP has an annual review whereby the plan is reviewed and updated appropriately
- Support plans and progress reviews must be co-produced with all stakeholders.
Please note
- Not all CiC require an EHCP
- Not all children with SEND need an EHCP
- Not all children with a diagnosis automatically qualify for an EHCP
- Meeting needs without an EHCP
- The majority of children’s needs can be met through school-based provision
- Nationally, only 2.6% of pupils require an EHCP to have their needs met
Requesting an EHCP Assessment
- When a request to assess is submitted, all professionals working with the child is required to complete appropriate advice.
RSA and EHCP process – from school evidencing graduated approach – to receiving final plan
Weeks 0-6: Assessment decision
- The local authority decides whether to carry out an EHC needs assessment.
- If they decide against it, they must inform you of the reason within this timeframe.
Weeks 7-12: Advice gathering
- If the local authority agrees to an assessment, they will gather advice from various professionals and settings.
- These professionals have a legal requirement to respond within six weeks.
Weeks 13-16: Draft plan issued
- By week 12, the local authority should decide whether to issue an EHC plan.
- If an EHC plan is to be issued, a draft plan must be sent by week 14.
Week 16 to 20: Final plan issued
- You will have at least 15 days to comment on the draft EHCP and to request a specific school or college.
- The local authority must issue the final EHC plan by week 20.