Health
Email this pageThe SEND Code of Practice 2015 says:
Relevant local clinicians, such as community paediatricians, will participate in the development of the child’s or young person’s EHC plan, advising on the child’s needs and the provision appropriate to meet them.
(9.70)
If there are signs of an underlying health difficulty, a specialist health assessment may be necessary.
(9.48)
When the local authority decide to carry out an EHC Needs Assessments they will seek information about your child or young person's physical, emotional and social development and health needs.
They will contact health professionals involved with your child or young person to gather advice about desired outcomes and provision required to meet those.
What if we won’t be seeing our health service provider within the assessment timeframe?
Advice and information requested by the local authority must be provided within six weeks of the request (subject to only a few exceptions outlined in section 9.42 of the SEND Code of Practice 2015).
Usually the health professional will use information they already have about your child, however things may have changed for your child and you believe the information is out of date. You could contact your health service provider (or the Clinical Commissioning Group) to explain or request an earlier appointment, to enable the advice to be provided within their 6-week deadline.
You may find that the local authority finalise the EHC plan without this advice in order to meet the lawful timescales, and agree to amend the plan when the advice is received.
Read the information from the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) about the requirements for providing Health advice within six weeks.
Where can I find the Health provision in an EHCP?
Section C of the draft plan should include your child/young person’s health needs which are related to their SEN.
Section G will include any health provision (reasonably required by the learning difficulties or disabilities) which result in the child or young person having SEN. Where an Individual Health Care Plan is made for them, that plan should be included too.
Provision which educates or trains your child/young person should be included within section F (Special Educational Needs).
From year 9 onwards, there should be provision to support preparation for adulthood and independent living.
See also our information about a draft EHCP plan.
The SEND Code of Practice 2015 says:
Where there is provision which has been agreed in the health element of an EHC plan, health commissioners must put arrangements in place to secure that provision.
(3.65)
Where young people have EHC plans, local authorities should consider the need to provide a full package of provision and support across education, health and care that covers five days a week, where that is appropriate to meet the young person’s needs.
(8.39)
It can also include health and care related activities such as physiotherapy. Full-time packages of provision and support set out in the EHC plan should include any time young people need to access support for their health and social care needs.
(8.40)
the local authority should ensure that the transition to adult care and support is well planned, is integrated with the annual reviews of the EHC plans and reflects existing special educational and health provision that is in place to help the young person prepare for adulthood.
(8.59)
Also in this section:
The Definition of SEN and Disabilities
Explaining SEN and disabilities, and overlaps between the two.
Identifying Health Needs
Information on identifying health needs, seeking a diagnosis and getting the most out of your health appointment
Disability Living Allowance and Benefits
Information on benefits entitlements and allowances
Supporting your Neurodiverse Child
The Essex Family Forum have written and produced a pack which is full of useful information for families with a neurodiverse child.
Social Care
Information on carers assessments and needs assessments, carers respite & social care provision in an EHC plan