Request for EHC Needs Assessment

Use this letter to formally request that your Local Authority carries out an EHC needs assessment for your child. You have the right to make this request under section 36(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014.

What this letter is for

You can ask for an EHC needs assessment yourself; you do not need the school's permission or an educational psychologist's report first.
Use it when your child's special educational needs are not being met by the support the school normally provides.
The LA usually has 6 weeks from receiving your request to decide whether to assess. It should write to tell you its decision.
If the LA says no, you can ask it to reconsider and you have a right to appeal to the Tribunal.

Children and Families Act 2014, Section 36(1) (s.36(1)) Children and Families Act 2014, Section 36(8) (s.36(8)) Children and Families Act 2014, Section 51(2)(a) (s.51(2)(a)) SEND Code of Practice 2015, Chapter 9.8

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This template references: Children and Families Act 2014, Section 36(1) (s.36(1)), Children and Families Act 2014, Section 36(8) (s.36(8)), Children and Families Act 2014, Section 51(2)(a) (s.51(2)(a)), SEND Code of Practice 2015, Chapter 9.8. Always check that legislation is current before relying on it.

Independent template. See IPSEA's authoritative Template letter 1: Requesting an EHC needs assessment for comparison. Always check that legislation is current before relying on it.