What is an education health and social
care plan and who is it for
in 2014 the Children and Families Act
became law and introduced a new system
of support which is relevant to parents
and carers of children in young people H
not 25 you have special educational
needs or disabilities this means that
there is a requirement to produce
education health and care plans or eh
CPS using person-centered approaches
eh CPS replace statements of special
educational needs and what were called
learning difficulty assessments two of
the key messages featuring in the
Children & Families Act are that
preparation for adulthood starts in
early years just as it does for all
other children
and
providers are required to establish and
maintain a culture of high expectations
so all children and young people can
achieve well
this means that goal set should be
challenging not just for the children
and young people but for the education
service providers - this requires plans
to have a much wider scope than a
statement which generally only addressed
the needs of an educational nature the
plan should forever possible stretch
across four themes learning and future
employment hope and independence friends
relationships and community and health
and well-being local authorities must
issue a plan for a child or young person
whose needs cannot be met from the
expected budget in mainstream schools or
settings and for those who attend
special schools or specialist colleges
Annie HCP has 17 sections labeled a to K
each section has a different purpose and
it is a legally binding document meaning
that certain things in it must happen
the contents of the e HCP are intended
to be creative and a shared challenge
for all those involved in order to
achieve the best possible results and
outcomes for the child or young person
in developing a plan local authorities
have a duty to take into account section
19 principals and must have regard to
the views wishes and feelings of the
child young person or parent the
importance of their full participation
in decisions the importance of their
being provided with the necessary
information and support to participate
and the need to support the child or
young person to achieve the best
possible educational and other outcomes
preparing them effectively for adulthood
how can you find out more or access
local services and support
you can find out more about the SE ND
reforms and the education health and
care planning process by visiting the
local offer page on your local authority
website here you'll be able to find
impartial information advice and support
and learn about all the services that
are available to you
parents who require additional support
are referred to their local information
advice and support service further
information including a useful resource
on writing good quality EHC plans can be
found at https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/
What is ‘Person Centred’ planning?
Person-centred planning is a term used
to describe a process that aims to put parents,
children and young people
at the centre of planning and decisions that affect them.
When children and young people
are meaningfully involved
with the help or guidance of parents,
this can change their attitude,
behaviour,
enhance their learning
and ensure everyone involved are active partners
in plans that are all about them.
It’s a simple philosophy,
but in order to make it all happen
it requires the help of professionals
trained in this approach
and also for families and friends
to think differently too.
For an EHCP to be person centred
it requires everyone involved
in the 20 week assessment process
to begin by knowing the aspirations
(hopes and dreams) of the child or young person.
In order for a person centred EHCP to be created,
it requires certain questions to be asked and considered
during the assessment process,
including identifying areas of strength,
skills and talents alongside needs.
It is essential that sufficient detail is identified
in order to fully understand and appreciate
exactly what it is that’s meaningful to the person
and what good support looks like to make that happen.
It is vital that it reflects what’s possible,
and not just what is available.
The first 2 of these questions are:
and..
What support is required to enable a healthy and safe life
and a sense of belonging to the community
This information can also be used
to create a One Page Profile
which can be included in Section A
or simply be kept with the EHCP.
A One Page Profile is literally a sheet of A4
handwritten or produced on the computer
with a photo or picture and 3 parts:
Another pair of questions that will be used
when developing the EHCP include:
This establishes what’s going well
and probably should therefore, continue
and
What needs to be reviewed and changed.
What are Outcomes?
Outcomes are a way of identifying the steps
required to take the child or young person
forward in their life, towards their aspirations.
Although outcomes need to be measurable
it is essential they are personalised,
relevant and ambitious
otherwise they are not person centred.
The EHCP should ensure that
all the strategies,
support and services
are clearly specified
in the provision Sections of the EHCP;
F,
G,
H1, and H2
and are sufficient to achieve the outcomes.
Services and support are only part of
what people want and need to live
the life they would choose for themselves.
Knowing what services you need
can only come after
planning what sort of life you want.
You find out more about the SEND reforms
and the Education Health and Care planning process
by visiting the local offer page
on your local authority website.
Here you’ll be able to find impartial information,
advice and support
and learn about all the services that are available to you.
You will also be able to request that
an Independent Supporter contacts you
to help you understand the process clearly
and navigate you through
the Education Health and Care planning process.
Although an Independent Supporter cannot
prepare a plan for you,
they can provide a help and guidance support role
to help you do this.
Further information including a useful resource
on how to write good quality EHC Plans
can be found at https://councilfordisabledchildren.org.uk/
