Requesting an EHC needs assessment

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Southwark Council has worked alongside educational settings, support services and the parent carer forum to update the forms associated with statutory processes.

There is an all-ages request form. It is expected that settings will use the new form as soon as possible. However, as schools may still be completing some statutory processes on old forms, Southwark SEN will accept the old forms until 1 April 2026. After this date, any needs assessment requests submitted with the old forms will likely require additional follow-up with settings.

It is advised to create a provision map for each class The Southwark class support plan can be used to record tier/wave 2 + 3 support. If a child or young person is receiving tier/wave1 support this should be recorded using a class support plan or the school’s own system.

It is recommended to complete two cycles of support before completing an EHC needs assessment request (except in exceptional circumstances). Guidance on how to use an individual support plan to show a graduated response of assess, plan, do, review can be found in the Individual Support Plan Guidance. When a child or young person is granted an EHCP the educational setting should continue to track the impact of provision using the Post EHCP Graduated Response form.

EHCNA request form 2025 Guidance EHC NA sep 2025