Making a request

Parents and carers can ask Croydon Local Authority (LA) to carry out an Education, Health and Care needs assessment when they feel that their child has special educational needs and he/she is not making progress from the extra help and support available at the child’s current education setting.

Parents and carers can also make requests for young people over 16 where the young person does not have the mental capacity to do this for themselves. For guidance and further information click here on the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

Before making a request, it is important that parents/carers talk to the SENCo at the nursery, school or college their child attends to take their views on his/her special educational needs, the progress that is being made and if more support can be put in place.

Following this discussion, the school or other setting agree that a request for an EHC needs assessment is required and make a request on the parent/carer’s behalf.

Whenever a parent/carer makes a request for an EHC needs assessment the LA will always seek advice and information from the school or other professionals involved with the child. The LA will want to hear the views of the child as part of the assessment.

The LA will notify parent/carers of whether the needs assessment has been agreed no later than 6 weeks after receiving the request

How to make a request?

Depending on the age of the child, the following request form and child contribution should be downloaded and completed.  

Early Years (Child 0-5 years old)

• RA.1 Parent request to carry out an EHC needs assessment.
• RC.1 Early Years EHC needs assessment child contribution

Primary (Child 5-11 years old in Years 1 to 6)

• RA.1 Parent request to carry out an EHC needs assessment
• RC.2 Primary EHC needs assessment request, child’s contribution

Secondary (Child 11-15 years old, in Years 7 – 11)

• RA.1 Parent request to carry out an EHC needs assessment
• RC.3 Secondary EHC needs assessment, young person's contribution

Post 16 (Young person aged 16 +)

• RA.1 Parent request to carry out an EHC needs assessment (only to be used when the young person does not have the mental capacity to do this for themselves).

What other help and support is available?

Downloadable resources:

• Timeline showing local processes for EHC needs assessment.
• Independent advice from SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service). The downloadable leaflet provides contact details and further information on the support the service can offer.

The Croydon SEND Local Offer has wider information on local services and support available for children and young people with SEND in Croydon including details of other organisations who provide information and guidance on the EHC needs assessment process.

A young person over the age of 16 but under 25 can ask for an Education, Health and Care needs assessment when he/she feels that they require extra support to meet his/her special educational needs. If the young person does not have the mental capacity to do this, his/her parent/carers can do this on their behalf.

If the young person is attending school or college, before making a request it is important that he/she speaks to the SENCO or other key staff to take their views on his/her special educational needs, the progress that is being made and if more support can be put in place.

Following this discussion, the school or college may agree that more support is needed and make a request on the young person’s behalf.

Whenever a young person makes a request for an EHC needs assessment the LA will always seek advice and information from the education setting they may attend or other professionals involved.

The LA will notify parent/carers of whether the needs assessment has been agreed no later than 6 weeks after receiving the request.

How to make a request?

Download and complete the request form below.

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What other help and support is available?

Downloadable resources:

• Timeline showing local processes for EHC needs assessment.
• Independent advice from SENDIASS (SEND Information, Advice and Support Service). The downloadable leaflet provides contact details and further information on the support the service can offer.

The Croydon SEND Local Offer has wider information on local services and support available for children and young people with SEND in Croydon including details of other organisations who provide information and guidance on the EHC needs assessment process.

Making a request for EHC needs assessment: Early Years, Schools and Post 16 Colleges.

Early years setting, schools and post 16 colleges may decide to make a request to Croydon Local Authority (LA) for an EHC need assessment when, despite actions to identify needs and give help and support from funding and resources they already have in place, the child or young person is not making progress.

The request is usually led by the Special, Education Coordinator (SENCO) at the education setting. Any request should always involve discussions and agreement with parents and carers or the young person. Other education, health and/or social care professionals supporting a CYP would also make recommendations about requesting an assessment.  

Any request must also include the views of parent/carers and the child or young person.

Once a request has been submitted, parent/carers or the young person will be notified in writing no later than 6 weeks whether an assessment has been agreed. The educational setting who makes this request will also receive notification of this decision.  

How to make a request?

Depending on the age of the child or young person the following request forms, child or young person and parent view documents should be downloaded and completed.  

Early Years

• RB.1 Request for EHC needs assessment
• RP.1 Request for an EHC needs assessment, parental advice
• RC.1 Early Years EHC needs assessments child contribution

Primary

• RB.2 Request for EHC needs assessment
• RP.2 Request for EHC need assessment, parental advice
• RC.2 Primary EHC needs assessment child contribution

Secondary

• RB.3 Request for EHC needs assessment
• RP.3 Request for EHC needs assessment, parental advice
• RC.3 Request for EHC needs assessment, young person's contribution

Post 16

• RB.4 Request for EHC needs assessment
• RP.4 Request for EHC needs assessment, parental advice
• RC.4 Request for EHC needs assessment, young person's contribution

What other help and support is available?

Downloadable resources:

• Timeline showing local processes for EHC needs assessment.
• Ordinarily Available Descriptors – guidance on the range of support that all schools should be able to offer to pupils and students with SEN before requesting additional provision from an EHC needs assessment.
• Coming soon ---- Croydon 0-25 SEND Service Guidance Document -- This document presents Croydon’s Special Education Needs (SEN) model of inclusive practice across all educational phases for children and young people from 0-25.  It covers all children and young people from early years through to Post 16 education and outlines the journey a child or young person may take through mainstream SEN support to an Education, Health and Care needs assessment.