Work through each step
Follow the checklist in order — the first step is open so you can start immediately.
Jump to steps →← Back to guides
Practical guideGuide
How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment
An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.
Guide summary
An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.
- Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried.
- Send written request to LA — use their form or a letter; keep proof of sending.
- Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why assessment is necessary.
- LA must respond within legal timeframe — mark your calendar from send date.
Practical next steps
Visible actions you can take now — no accordion required.
Use a template
Download wording you can adapt for letters, emails, or conversations.
See templates →Ask Access Stamp AI
Get help applying this guide to your situation with plain-English suggestions.
Start here
Three immediate actions before you work through the full guide.
- 1Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried.
- 2Send written request to LA — use their form or a letter; keep proof of sending.
- 3Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why assessment is necessary.
Quick answer
In England, you can ask your local authority (LA) for an EHC needs assessment if your child may need more support than a school can provide through SEN Support alone. The LA decides whether to assess — your request should show sustained need, evidence tried, and impact on learning.
Use this guide if…
- Parents, carers, or young people aged 16–25 in their own right.
- Schools can also request — but parents can request independently.
- Children and young people with special educational needs that may require an EHC plan.
Common questions
Practical answers you can use straight away — expand any question for next steps, example wording, and related help.
An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.
What to do next
- Parents, carers, or young people aged 16–25 in their own right.
- Schools can also request — but parents can request independently.
- Children and young people with special educational needs that may require an EHC plan.
These are the errors that most often slow people down or weaken their case.
What to do next
- Requesting without showing what support was already attempted.
- Sending only diagnosis letters without educational impact.
- Missing LA’s own form requirements if they specify mandatory fields.
- Letting school delay providing records — chase in writing.
Keep written records and use the escalation routes below.
What to do next
- Read refusal letter — grounds must be explained.
- Consider mediation through the LA’s published route.
- You may appeal to the SEND Tribunal within the deadline on your letter — get IPSEA or SENDIASS advice quickly.
Step-by-step
Your progress
Step 1 of 6
Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried.
What this means
- Prepare: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
- Check: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
Practical checklist
- Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried.
- Prepare: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
- Check: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
Example approach
An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.
Ask the AI: Help me with step 1 (Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what…) for How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment
You're making progress
You've completed 0 of 6 steps in this guide.
Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
- School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
- SEN Support plans and reviews showing what was tried and outcomes.
- Therapy or medical letters linked to learning and participation.
- Parent diary of needs at home and school.
- Examples of work showing gap between potential and output if relevant.
Copy-and-adapt templates
Wording you can paste into email, letters, or conversation notes.
Request letter skeleton
To: [Local authority SEND team] I request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for [child name], DOB [date], attending [school]. [Child] has [describe needs and impact on learning/access]. Support so far: [SEN Support actions + dates + outcomes] Why assessment is needed: [why current support is insufficient] Enclosed: [list of evidence] Parent/carer: [name, address, phone, email] Date:
Common mistakes
- Requesting without showing what support was already attempted.
- Sending only diagnosis letters without educational impact.
- Missing LA’s own form requirements if they specify mandatory fields.
- Letting school delay providing records — chase in writing.
If they refuse, delay, or ignore you
- Read refusal letter — grounds must be explained.
- Consider mediation through the LA’s published route.
- You may appeal to the SEND Tribunal within the deadline on your letter — get IPSEA or SENDIASS advice quickly.
Access Stamp AI
Need help applying "How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment" to your situation? Ask about any step, evidence, or wording below.
Guide summary
- Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried.
- Send written request to LA — use their form or a letter; keep proof of sending.
- Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why assessment is necessary.
- LA must respond within legal timeframe — mark your calendar from send date.
Helpful templates
At a glance
- A formal multi-agency assessment of education, health, and care needs.
- An EHC plan if the LA agrees support must be set out in a plan (not guaranteed by requesting assessment).
- Advice from professionals (educational psychology, health, social care) as part of process.
- School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
- SEN Support plans and reviews showing what was tried and outcomes.
Official guidance
Need personalised help?
Ask the AI assistant for tailored advice based on your situation.