Education, Health and Care Plans in Bexley
If you have any questions about EHC Plans in Bexley please contact:
Bexley Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment Service
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0203 045 3311
Where can I get more information and advice?
Visit the Bexley Local Offer website: https://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/2317
Contact the Bexley IASS service: https://www.bexleyiass.co.uk/
Bexley Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment Service
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 0203 045 3311
Where can I get more information and advice?
Visit the Bexley Local Offer website: https://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/2317
Contact the Bexley IASS service: https://www.bexleyiass.co.uk/
If you are looking for contact details of EHC Plan case officers in Bexley - please refer to the bottom of this page.
This page contains information about EHC Plans in Bexley. If you require more general information on what an EHC Plan is and what it looks like, how the sections are made up, timescales and appealing, click here:
Click the pictures below to download Bexley's 20 week EHC Needs Assessment process information sheet.
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Click the picture below to download our My Guide to
EHC Plan Needs Assessment's in Bexley 
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Click the picture below to download our My Guide to
EHC Plan Annual Reviews in Bexley 
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Who is eligible for an EHC Plan?
EHC Plans are available to support all children, whether in the state or independent sectors, and including children educated at home, if they meet the criteria. To get an EHC Plan you must start the process with an EHC Needs Assessment by Bexley LA (local authority/council). Local Authority eligibility criteria are devised locally and are not set down nationally. There is no set level above which pupils are ineligible for a EHC Plan. Whatever the eligibility criteria a parent can still apply for an EHC Plan if they feel that their child's significant difficulties are not able to be effectively supported in school.
The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice states that a decision to offer an EHC Needs Assessment for an EHC Plan should consider evidence to show that, despite the school taking relevant and purposeful action on SEN Support level, (including the involvement of outside specialists), difficulties still remain.
If you are considering applying for an EHC Plan in Bexley, get as much advice as you can first.
Before you embark on the process, do as much homework as you can, including seeking advice. Getting an EHC Plan can be a fraught exercise and you may need to challenge Local Authority decisions.
Getting started: applying for a Statutory Assessment
An EHC Needs Assessment involves a full, formal assessment of a child by the Education Authority. It involves a 20 week process. Please see above for the 20 week breakdown leaflet. This may include:
It is important for parents to have confidence in themselves and their opinions and not be overawed by professionals. They are the ones who know their child best. When you are ready to apply and do not have the support from the school, you can make a parental application. See below for the link to Bexley Councils parent referral form.
Parent request forms - http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/2317
Will i get support from Bexley Local Authority?
During the 20 week application process and Needs Assessment, you will be allocated a temporary case officer. Once you have a final EHC Plan, you will be allocated a case officer depending on the school your child attends. A list of all the case officers in Bexley can be found at the bottom on this page.
What happens if the Local Authority refuses the application?
Some Local Authorities refuse Assessments/EHC Plans simply because they have not received adequate evidence from schools as required under the SEN Code of Practice. This is not a lawful reason for refusing an assessment. The authority should take active steps to obtain the necessary evidence.
For families in Bexley - At this stage, seek advice from Bexley's Information, Advice and Support Service - IASS
Do your homework and download the Tribunals guidance for parents on www.sendist.gov.uk.
Some of the issues where parents may need to apply to the SEND Tribunal include:
What does an EHC Plan look like in Bexley?
Due to GDPR/data protection we are unable to share a completed EHC Plan but click the link to see a blank EHC Plan template.
http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/5370
Accepting an EHC Plan.
Parents may wish to take professional advice before agreeing to the provision set out in the EHC Plan. An EHC Plan should be precise about the support being provided. There is a requirement for Parental response to be included in the final EHC Plan. This is invaluable in that it allows the school and other parties to understand the parents' views, and may also contribute important evidence in the event of an appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
EHC Plans for Special Schools.
If a parent feels that mainstream schooling is unable to offer their child an adequate education, it is possible to apply for an EHC Plan to allow the child to attend a specialist school.
EHC Plan Reviews.
EHC Plans should be reviewed annually, or there may be interim reviews. It is the schools responsibility to organise the review and invite the case officer to attend if appropriate. If parents would like to see changes to the EHC Plan provision, they should make their proposals known clearly at these meetings. If a Local Authority fails to amend an EHC Plan following a review, parents may appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Please see below for the Bexley EHC Plan Annual Review pack - this forms are for professionals to complete but are helful for parents to know in advance the process of an annual review meeting.
EHC Plans are available to support all children, whether in the state or independent sectors, and including children educated at home, if they meet the criteria. To get an EHC Plan you must start the process with an EHC Needs Assessment by Bexley LA (local authority/council). Local Authority eligibility criteria are devised locally and are not set down nationally. There is no set level above which pupils are ineligible for a EHC Plan. Whatever the eligibility criteria a parent can still apply for an EHC Plan if they feel that their child's significant difficulties are not able to be effectively supported in school.
The Special Educational Needs Code of Practice states that a decision to offer an EHC Needs Assessment for an EHC Plan should consider evidence to show that, despite the school taking relevant and purposeful action on SEN Support level, (including the involvement of outside specialists), difficulties still remain.
If you are considering applying for an EHC Plan in Bexley, get as much advice as you can first.
Before you embark on the process, do as much homework as you can, including seeking advice. Getting an EHC Plan can be a fraught exercise and you may need to challenge Local Authority decisions.
- Read our general information page on EHC Plans - you need to know how a plan is made up.
- Read the 'My Guide' parent/carer leaflets on subjects such as SEN Support and EHC Needs assessments in Bexley.
- See if the school will support you: but if they won't, you can still go ahead. Talk to your school's SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator).
- Contact the IASS for advice. The IASS is independent from the Local Authority to support parents with special needs issues, especially educational needs, SEN Support and EHC Plans. Please click here for more information on Bexley's Information, Advice and Support Service - IASS
- Get a copy of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) A Guide for parents and carers. This has helpful information on seeking an EHC plan. It can be downloaded from the Department of Education website.
- Visit the Bexley Local Offer website for up to date information in Bexley. The EHC Plan section: http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/5429
- If you have any questions about Education, Health and Care plan assessments please contact the;
Special Educational Needs Statutory Assessment Service- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 0203 045 3311
Getting started: applying for a Statutory Assessment
An EHC Needs Assessment involves a full, formal assessment of a child by the Education Authority. It involves a 20 week process. Please see above for the 20 week breakdown leaflet. This may include:
- Reports from the Educational Psychologist (parents may well need to provide their own independent assessment if there is a reluctance to assess the child, or if they subsequently challenge a decision).
- Reports from any other relevant body: school, medical, social services for example, plus parents and the child's own views.
- Supporting evidence from anyone who may help the case, such as outside activity leaders (e.g. sports, Scouts/Guides etc.).
It is important for parents to have confidence in themselves and their opinions and not be overawed by professionals. They are the ones who know their child best. When you are ready to apply and do not have the support from the school, you can make a parental application. See below for the link to Bexley Councils parent referral form.
Parent request forms - http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/2317
Will i get support from Bexley Local Authority?
During the 20 week application process and Needs Assessment, you will be allocated a temporary case officer. Once you have a final EHC Plan, you will be allocated a case officer depending on the school your child attends. A list of all the case officers in Bexley can be found at the bottom on this page.
What happens if the Local Authority refuses the application?
Some Local Authorities refuse Assessments/EHC Plans simply because they have not received adequate evidence from schools as required under the SEN Code of Practice. This is not a lawful reason for refusing an assessment. The authority should take active steps to obtain the necessary evidence.
For families in Bexley - At this stage, seek advice from Bexley's Information, Advice and Support Service - IASS
Do your homework and download the Tribunals guidance for parents on www.sendist.gov.uk.
Some of the issues where parents may need to apply to the SEND Tribunal include:
- If they are refused an assessment.
- If, following an assessment, they are refused an EHC Plan.
- If the parents disagree with the proposed EHC Plan, (tip: put in the appeal straightaway, and then work out the details later, to save time.)
- If they wish to change an existing EHC Plan, for instance if circumstances change or it transpires that all the difficulties have not been addressed in the original EHC Plan and the Local Authority refuses to reassess. (N.B. an EHC Plan should always be updated at transfer stage, e.g. from Primary to Secondary.)
- Where they are refused a change to the EHC Plan after reassessment.
- If the Local Authority decides to cease to maintain an EHC Plan.
What does an EHC Plan look like in Bexley?
Due to GDPR/data protection we are unable to share a completed EHC Plan but click the link to see a blank EHC Plan template.
http://www.bexleylocaloffer.uk/Services/5370
Accepting an EHC Plan.
Parents may wish to take professional advice before agreeing to the provision set out in the EHC Plan. An EHC Plan should be precise about the support being provided. There is a requirement for Parental response to be included in the final EHC Plan. This is invaluable in that it allows the school and other parties to understand the parents' views, and may also contribute important evidence in the event of an appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
EHC Plans for Special Schools.
If a parent feels that mainstream schooling is unable to offer their child an adequate education, it is possible to apply for an EHC Plan to allow the child to attend a specialist school.
EHC Plan Reviews.
EHC Plans should be reviewed annually, or there may be interim reviews. It is the schools responsibility to organise the review and invite the case officer to attend if appropriate. If parents would like to see changes to the EHC Plan provision, they should make their proposals known clearly at these meetings. If a Local Authority fails to amend an EHC Plan following a review, parents may appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Please see below for the Bexley EHC Plan Annual Review pack - this forms are for professionals to complete but are helful for parents to know in advance the process of an annual review meeting.
| ehc-proc-1018-a001_annual_review_pack.zip |
Once your child or young person has been issued with their final plan, you will be allocated with a case worker (you will also be issued with a temporary case worker during the 20 week application process).
Please see below for Bexley's EHC Plan case officer and support staff allocation. (This list is subject to change without notice).
Please see below for Bexley's EHC Plan case officer and support staff allocation. (This list is subject to change without notice).
Click the link below to download a list of Bexley's EHC Plan case officers and support staff.
