SEND and EHCP support in Ealing

What is it?

An EHCP is for children and young people aged up to 25 whose special educational needs require provision beyond ordinarily available support. Ealing’s SEND services provide local information and case contacts.

Who may qualify?

A parent, young person, school or certain professionals can request an EHC needs assessment. The legal test is whether the child or young person may have SEN and may need special educational provision through an EHCP.

What to do next

Gather evidence from education, health and care, explain unmet needs and desired outcomes, and submit the request. Track statutory deadlines and request written decisions.

What if there is a refusal or problem?

Many EHCP decisions carry mediation and SEND Tribunal rights. Check the decision letter and contact SENDIASS or specialist advice promptly.

PRACTICAL GUIDE

Practical plan: SEND and an EHC plan

Gather the right information, make a specific request and keep a written record. Below is an action plan and message template for SEND and an EHC plan.

Check the correct route

Compare evidence with the specific plan sections: needs, provision and placement. Avoid vague wording such as “regular support”.

Prepare a short history

List key dates, previous contacts, case references and what has already been promised or refused.

Ask for a written decision

After a phone call, email a short summary and ask for confirmation of next steps and timescale.

Record the outcome

Keep confirmations, names, dates and copies in one folder.

What to prepareTick items as you collect them

school and specialist reports, progress, outcomes, needs and missing provision a written chronology of contacts and decisions case references and copies of emails photographs, quotations, plans or reports where relevant an explanation of the impact on safety, independence or the carer

Common mistakesWhat to avoid

relying only on telephone calls
mixing many unrelated issues in one long email
not stating the requested outcome
failing to explain urgent risk or deterioration
accepting a verbal refusal without written reasons

GOOD PRACTICE

Tips that make a real difference

One message, one request

State exactly what you want at the start: an assessment, decision, correction, date or contact from the correct team.

Explain the impact

Explain what is happening now and the risk if support is not provided.

Ask for reasons

If the answer is no, ask for the reasons, criteria used and review or complaint route.

Set a date

Ask for a specific response date rather than “soon”.

IF REFUSED OR NOTHING HAPPENS

Escalation plan step by step

1. Ask for a review

Check the decision notice, mediation and SEND Tribunal deadlines. Identify the exact sections and wording that should change.

2. Make a formal complaint

Attach a short chronology, the decision, relevant evidence and the remedy requested.

3. Ask for independent support

Consider an advocate, independent adviser or specialist organisation if managing the case alone is difficult.

4. Escalate after the complaint

If the organisation’s complaint process does not resolve the issue, check the relevant ombudsman, tribunal or regulator.

LETTER BUILDER

Request or review letter template

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RecipientTo the relevant team or service managerRequest for action / review — SEND and an EHC plan

Full name Case reference / National Insurance Decision or event date What is wrong? Key examples Evidence enclosed What outcome do you want?

WHERE NEXT

Further routes

Internal review

Ask for the decision to be reviewed by someone not responsible for the original decision.

Formal complaint

Use the formal complaint procedure for delay, communication or case handling.

Further escalation

After the complaint process, check the relevant ombudsman, tribunal or independent body.

Open official information