How do you request an EHC needs assessment?

A parent, a young person aged 16 to 25, or a school or college can ask a local authority to carry out an EHC needs assessment, the first formal step toward an EHC plan.

Who can make the request?

1. A child's parent
2. The young person themselves, once they're 16 or over
3. A school or college on the family's behalf, or with their knowledge

There's no single national form. Most local authorities publish their own request form or online process, usually available through their Local Offer page.

What actually strengthens a request?

Local authorities decide whether to assess based on evidence, so a request is stronger when it's accompanied by whatever's already available: school records of the SEN Support already tried, any existing professional reports (from an educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, or similar), and a clear description of the difficulties the child or young person is experiencing.

What happens after the request is made?

1. The local authority has 6 weeks from the request to decide whether to assess, and to communicate that decision
2. SEN support at school should continue unchanged while you wait
3. If the answer is no, that decision can be appealed

Evidence submitted alongside the request forms part of what the local authority considers when deciding whether to assess. SEND Assistant helps you work out what you already have and what's still missing. Try SEND Assistant free.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the school's agreement to request an assessment?

No, a parent can request an assessment directly, without needing the school to agree or co-sign it.

What if I don't have any professional reports yet?

You can still request an assessment. Existing school records of needs and support already tried can support the request in the meantime.

Can I request an assessment for a very young child?

Yes, requests can be made from birth, though evidence and process will look different for very young children.

What's the difference between requesting an assessment and requesting an EHC plan directly?

You can't request a plan directly. The assessment comes first, and the local authority only issues a plan afterward if the assessment concludes one is necessary.

How long after requesting an assessment will I hear something?

The local authority has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess and tell you, covered in more detail in our article on the 6-week deadline.

This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Access to Justice is not a law firm and cannot represent you.