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Practical guide12 min read

How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment

An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.

Checked 2026-05-12

Illustration for guide: How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment
Education
Applies to
Not specified — check the official sources below
Who it’s for
Disabled students, families and supporters
Evidence
Official and primary sources linked below

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Your answer

The answer in 30 seconds

  • In England, you can ask your local authority (LA) for an EHC needs assessment if your child may need more support than a school can…
  • A formal multi-agency assessment of education, health, and care needs.
  • An EHC plan if the LA agrees support must be set out in a plan (not guaranteed by requesting assessment).
  • Evidence that helps: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data
  • Avoid: Requesting without showing what support was already attempted

Your next moves

Do these first

  1. 1Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried
  2. 2Send written request to LA
  3. 3Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why assessment is necessary

Full guide

Step-by-step

1

Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has…

Speak to SENCO about concerns and document what school has tried. Start here so the rest of the guide has a clear foundation.

In England, you can ask your local authority (LA) for an EHC needs assessment if your child may need more support than a school can provide through SEN Support alone. The LA decides whether to assess — your request…

  • A formal multi-agency assessment of education, health, and care needs.
  • Evidence that helps: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data
  • Watch out: Requesting without showing what support was already attempted

What to do

An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.
2

Send written request to LA

Send written request to LA — use their form or a letter; keep proof of sending. Take this step carefully before moving on — it supports everything that follows.

  • An EHC plan if the LA agrees support must be set out in a plan (not guaranteed by requesting assessment).
  • Evidence that helps: SEN Support plans and reviews showing what was tried and outcomes
  • Keep copies of anything you send and any reply you receive.

What to do

Evidence to keep ready

  • School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data.
  • SEN Support plans and reviews showing what was tried and outcomes.
  • Therapy or medical letters linked to learning and participation.
  • Parent diary of needs at home and school.
  • Examples of work showing gap between potential and output if relevant.
Worked approach: Send written request to LA — use their form or a letter; keep proof of sending Then record what happened and what you still need.
3

Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why assessment is…

Include child’s details, school, needs, evidence, and why assessment is necessary. Take this step carefully before moving on — it supports everything that follows.

  • Advice from professionals (educational psychology, health, social care) as part of process.
  • Evidence that helps: Therapy or medical letters linked to learning and participation
  • Keep copies of anything you send and any reply you receive.

What to do

To: [Local authority SEND team] I request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for [child name], DOB [date], attending [school]. [Child] has [describe needs and impact on learning/access]. Support so far: [SEN Support actions + dates + outcomes] Why assessment is ne…
4

LA must respond within legal timeframe

LA must respond within legal timeframe — mark your calendar from send date. Take this step carefully before moving on — it supports everything that follows.

  • A formal multi-agency assessment of education, health, and care needs.
  • Evidence that helps: Parent diary of needs at home and school
  • Keep copies of anything you send and any reply you receive.

What to do

Worked approach: LA must respond within legal timeframe — mark your calendar from send date Then record what happened and what you still need.
5

If LA agrees to assess, cooperate with information requests quickly

If LA agrees to assess, cooperate with information requests quickly. Take this step carefully before moving on — it supports everything that follows.

  • An EHC plan if the LA agrees support must be set out in a plan (not guaranteed by requesting assessment).
  • Evidence that helps: Examples of work showing gap between potential and output if relevant
  • Keep copies of anything you send and any reply you receive.

What to do

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Requesting without showing what support was already attempted.
  • Sending only diagnosis letters without educational impact.
  • Missing LA’s own form requirements if they specify mandatory fields.
  • Letting school delay providing records — chase in writing.
Worked approach: If LA agrees to assess, cooperate with information requests quickly Then record what happened and what you still need.
6

If LA refuses assessment, you receive decision with right to…

If LA refuses assessment, you receive decision with right to mediation and appeal (check letter). Take this step carefully before moving on — it supports everything that follows.

  • Advice from professionals (educational psychology, health, social care) as part of process.
  • Evidence that helps: School reports, report cards, behaviour logs, attendance data
  • Keep copies of anything you send and any reply you receive.

What to do

To: [Local authority SEND team] I request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for [child name], DOB [date], attending [school]. [Child] has [describe needs and impact on learning/access]. Support so far: [SEN Support actions + dates + outcomes] Why assessment is needed: [why current support is insufficient] Enclosed: [list of evidence] Parent/carer: [name, address, phone, email] Date:

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Preparation

What to prepare

Only gather what genuinely helps with this process; you do not need paperwork for the sake of it.

Ready-to-use wording

Templates

Request letter skeleton

When you need wording you can copy and adapt for email, letter, or conversation.

To: [Local authority SEND team]

I request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for [child name], DOB [date], attending [school].

[Child] has [describe needs and impact on learning/access].

Support so far: [SEN Support actions + dates + outcomes]

Why assessment is needed: [why current support is insufficient]

Enclosed: [list of evidence]

Parent/carer: [name, address, phone, email]
Date:

Request letter skeleton

To: [Local authority SEND team] I request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment for [child name], DOB [date], attending [school]. [Child] has [describe needs and impact on learning/access]. Support so far: [SEN Support actions + dates + outcomes] Why assessment is needed: [why current support is insufficient] Enclosed: [list of evidence] Parent/carer: [name, address, phone, email] Date:

Problems and refusals

If things go wrong

  • Read refusal letter — grounds must be explained.
  • Consider mediation through the LA’s published route.
  • You may appeal to the SEND Tribunal within the deadline on your letter — get IPSEA or SENDIASS advice quickly.
  • Requesting without showing what support was already attempted.
  • Sending only diagnosis letters without educational impact.
  • Missing LA’s own form requirements if they specify mandatory fields.
  • Letting school delay providing records — chase in writing.

Common questions

Practical answers you can use straight away — expand any question for next steps, example wording, and related help.

An EHC needs assessment is the gateway to an EHC plan. A clear request letter with examples beats a folder of clinic letters alone.

What to do next

  • Parents, carers, or young people aged 16–25 in their own right.
  • Schools can also request — but parents can request independently.
  • Children and young people with special educational needs that may require an EHC plan.

Trust and checking

Official sources

Use these to check the underlying rule or process, especially if your circumstances are unusual.

Related guides