Sharing your views

When a child or young person with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) is assessed as requiring an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the needs of the individual child or young person should sit at the heart of the assessment and planning process.

This page provides guidance for parents and carers when sharing their views during the EHCP process.

There are two instances when the views of the parents/carers, child or young person will be gathered: 

• during the needs assessment through the EHCP Portal when an EHCP is first being drafted
• during the annual review – a meeting to review progress towards outcomes and appropriateness of provision 

When sharing your views, it’s useful to focus on the areas that the education setting or other professionals might not know about. 

As a parent or carer, you are familiar with your child’s needs and characteristics. You know what adjustments you make in your home and family. While this is an opportunity to share your child’s strengths, it’s also important to share the things they struggle with or can’t do. 

It can help to make a bullet point list to give you a start. You may be asked for views, wishes, and aspirations during the needs assessment or the annual review. 

We have produced the guidance on this page to support you share your views. 

Top tips

• focus on the child or young person as an individual and encourage them to express their views
• your contribution comes from personal experience, remember to consider the views of friends, family or carers who might also have useful insight to support your child
• try to be succinct, focus on key points about their special educational needs 

These are some topics you may want to address, and some questions that may help you form and develop your answers. 

Important things to know about our family history

• what do you remember about their early or school years that might be useful?
• what has happened since then?
• what advice or help did you receive?
• how has your family structure changed over time?
• have there been any significant family events? for example a change of education setting or home

Things that are working well at home and school

Home

• do you have any routines which work particularly well for your child?
• how do you manage transitions successfully at home?
• what have you noticed which makes your child feel good?
• what do they enjoy doing, and succeed at, outside of the education setting, for example in clubs, groups or sports?
• do they have friends outside of the education setting or do they make friends easily?

Education setting

• what support is in place and works well?
• what lessons or activities motivate them?
• if your child is being well-supported what are the key factors which make this successful?
• do they have any key relationships with other children/young people and setting staff?
• what successes have been achieved?

Things that are not working well and we would like to change

• what are you worried about?
• what do you think the young person is worried about?
• what does the child or young person find difficult?
• what would you like to be different for your child?

Hopes and aspirations for the future

• what do you hope your child will achieve in the next 12 months (short term)?
• what do you hope your child will achieve in the next 3 years (medium term)?
• what do you hope your child will achieve in adulthood (long term)?
• what are your hopes for:
  • your child’s education and learning
  • attendance
  • communication (including social skills)
  • emotional well-being
  • health
  • life and independence skills

Other information we think is important

• which professionals are currently supporting your child?
• are there any special events that are important to your child?
• what language is predominantly spoken at home if not English?
• do any other family members have special educational needs?
• do any other family members have carer responsibilities?
• do they have a sense of danger?
• do they have particular eating and/or sleeping habits?
• what can they do independently or for themselves? for example, dressing, crossing the road, homework
• has your child had any serious illnesses/accidents or periods in hospital?
• is your child aware of their special educational needs and/or disability.
• have you received support from social care e.g. early help or a family support worker? If so, has this helped and how?