Most children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) will have their needs met through extra support which must be provided by the place of learning. This is known as SEN Support and can include a wide range of provision and interventions. We have information about this here:
However, there will be some children and young people who may have special educational needs that may need support which goes beyond the resources available to learning settings for SEN support, and a request can be made with the Local Authority, for them to consider carrying out an EHC (Education, Health and Care) Needs Assessment. Although the plan can include health or social care needs and support, the child or young person will not get a plan if they only have health or social care needs that do not affect their education.
The SEND Code of Practice says: “The purpose of an EHC plan is to make special educational provision to meet the special educational needs of the child or young person, to secure the best possible outcomes for them across education, health and social care and, as they get older, prepare them for adulthood” (9.2)