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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.
At a glance
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…
- Send written request to LA
- Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why…
- LA must respond within legal timeframe
- If LA agrees to assess, cooperate with information…
- If LA refuses assessment, you receive decision with…
Practical next steps
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Use a template
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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
- 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…
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.
Work through the steps in order. Keep notes and copies as you go — the same approach as our detailed PIP and workplace guides.
What to do next
- 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.
- If LA agrees to assess, cooperate with information requests quickly.
Example wording
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] D
Evidence checklist
- 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.
These are the errors that most often weaken evidence or miss deadlines.
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.
Example wording
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] D
Step-by-step
Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried. Start here so the rest of the guide has a clear foundation.
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…
What this means
- A formal multi-agency assessment of education, health, and care needs.
- Evidence that helps: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data
- Watch out: Requesting without showing what support was already attempted
Practical checklist
What good looks like
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 "Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has…" for How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment. Give plain-English wording and a short checklist.
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Evidence checklist
Keep or gather these before you contact an organisation or submit a form.
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 — the same way you would with our detailed PIP and workplace guides.
At a glance
- 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…
- 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).
- Evidence that helps: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data
- Avoid: Requesting without showing what support was already attempted
Helpful templates
- Request letter skeletonDownload not available yet — use the copyable wording in this guide.