Some pupils in the local authority require an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP). This is to help identify and meet their Special Educational Needs.
Different people contribute views towards this assessment, such as
- the child or young person
- parents and carers
- health professionals
- social care professionals
- Educational Psychologists (EP)
What happens during an assessment
The EP will read through the information held on file about the child or young person to understand their needs and current context. They will then contact the setting to arrange a time and date to visit. Settings will usually liaise with parents or carers to check the date is convenient. Sometimes this is also done by the EP.
If anyone involved has any questions or concerns ahead of the visit, we encourage you to get in touch with us via email at eps@n-somerset.gov.uk. The EP will be happy to talk through the process in greater detail. They will do their best to answer any questions you may have.
Practice varies according to the EP, the setting, and the young person. The process will typically involve
- an observation in class
- a meeting with the child
- a discussion with teaching staff
Once the EP has gathered the necessary information, they will meet with the setting and parents or carers for an ‘Outcomes Meeting’. This meeting lasts between one and two hours. Again, practice may vary.
Typically the EP will discuss the child’s strengths and any areas of concern. They will then agree SMART outcomes. If there are any questions about provision (section F of the EHCP), this can also be discussed at that meeting.
Final report
After the visit, the EP will write their report and will submit it on the EHCP portal.