Parent/carer
What do I need to consider before making a request?
If you have concerns that your child is struggling in school and may need additional support we advise you to request a meeting with the special educational needs coordinator (SENCo) to ask if the school are providing additional support. The school should explain to you what additional support they are providing and you could ask their advice on if they feel the child meets the criteria for an education, health and care needs assessment (EHCNA).
Each school has a SEN notional budget to use to provide additional support and if they feel they need more they can also apply for additional funding through the Graduated Support Pathway. If the child's needs are severe and/or complex, and they haven't progressed through the graduated support pathway, you or your child’s educational setting can request that Shropshire Council considers an EHCNA in order to determine whether or not it's necessary to issue an education health and care plan (EHCP).
How do I make a request?
Please complete the parental request paperwork. Please make sure the parental request paperwork is fully completed, signed and dated. If any information is missing this may cause delays.
You may want to also send us any other professional reports (e.g. health reports/letters) that may help us in understanding more about your child's needs.
If the young person is in year 12 or above, this will need to be completed by the young person themselves, with their consent. Find out out more on the young person request page.
Where do I send my request?
Please email the parental request paperwork (linked above) and any other professional reports to EHCPTeam@shropshire.gov.uk or you can post them to EHCP Team, Shropshire Council, Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8HQ.
If you require paper copies of the parental request documents to be sent to your home address please email us and we will post these out to you.
Who do I contact if I need support completing a request?
If you need support with your request you can contact Shropshire SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) who are a free, confidential and impartial service for parent carers of children and young people with SEND living in Shropshire, aged between 0 and 25 years. SENDIASS offers parents and young people support with any concerns they might have around special educational needs and /or disability (SEND) and explains your options, rights and responsibilities.
You can also contact the EHCP Team regarding your request.
What happens next?
The EHCP Team will review your request and will contact you if we need any further information. You will receive an acknowledgement letter in due course. We will then ask your child's setting to complete an education information form to give us further information. Your request, any additional reports and the education information form will then be considered at a multi agency panel and we will inform you whether we are proceeding with an EHCNA.