How to request an EHC needs assessment

What an EHC needs assessment is

An educational, health and care (EHC) needs assessment is a detailed process to find out a child or young person’s special educational needs and how they should be met.

The process takes up to 20 weeks.

An EHC needs assessment does not always lead to a child or young person receiving an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Sometimes we might decide that a child or young person’s needs can be met by the nursery, school or college through special educational needs support.

Who can request an EHC needs assessment

You can ask us for an EHC needs assessment if you think your child needs an EHCP.

If you're aged 16 to 25, you can request an assessment yourself.

With your knowledge and permission, teachers, doctors or health visitors can also request an assessment.

Apply for an EHC needs assessment

You will need to fill in a request form to apply for an EHC needs assessment. Download and fill in the form that applies to you.

Children under 5 years

Children and young people aged 5 to 25 years

Nursery, school or college request form

If you are a nursery, school or college making a request, you should use the Setting Request for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment form. You should also ask parents or the young person to fill in the form above that applies to them.

Get help with your application

If you need help with your application, you can speak to the special needs co-ordinator (SENCO) at your child’s nursery or school.

Return your forms

Send your completed forms to our special educational needs and disability (SEND) service by email to: sendehcassessments@wokingham.gov.uk.