Requesting Re-Assessment of needs

Re-Assessment – child or young person’s (YP) needs

When to ask for a re-assessment?

You can request a re-assessment if you believe that:

• the needs of your child/YP have changed since the last Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) was issued
• a different kind of help, or more help, is needed
• your child/YP should attend a different type of setting

A re-assessment is an opportunity to collect new evidence to look at what support your child/YP may now need. You need to write to the local authority (LA) asking for a re-assessment of your child/YP’s education, health and care needs, explain why you think the current EHCP is not suitable.

The LA should respond within 15 days of receiving the request.

The LA do not have to reassess if they have carried out an assessment within the previous six months or if they consider that further assessment is not necessary.

If you already have the evidence of the changes needed for your child/YP it may be more effective to request that the EHCP is amended during a review.

Support from the setting

It may help to speak to the SENCO, the relevant class teacher or subject teacher about your concerns. They may be able to provide evidence to support your request.

If the school or college share your concerns, they may write a letter which supports your request for a re-assessment, or the setting could make the request for a re-assessment of needs.

Next Steps…

• If the LA refuse to carry out a re-assessment you have the right to appeal. The LA must send notice of this right of appeal when it notifies you of the refusal to re-assess.
• If the LA agree to re-assess they must carry out a full EHC needs assessment, including obtaining all the information and advice required.
• Following the re-assessment, if the LA decide to amend the EHCP they must send you a draft EHCP and give you at least 15 days to make representations (changes) to the contents and request your choice of setting is named in section I.
• The LA must send a final EHCP within 14 weeks of the date on which it agreed to re-assess the plan.
• If the LA agree to re-assess but decide not to amend the plan, they must notify you of this and send you the final EHCP within 14 weeks of the date on which they agreed to re-assess.

If you disagree with any of the above, the LA must send you a letter informing you of your right to mediation and appeal. You have 2 months from the date of the decision letter, or one month from the date of the mediation certificate whichever is later.

Contact us

If you need more help or advice, please contact us