SEND

The following courses are free and available for parents to book: 

• Up-to-date information on workshops and courses available from Hampshire County Council and CAMHS can be found here - https://autismhampshire.org.uk/how-we-can-help/training-consultancy/parent-workshops 
• Introduction to Autism course led by Beyond Autism - https://www.beyondautism.org.uk/courses/an-introduction-to-autism-a-course-for-parents-families-and-carers/ 
• The Autism Education Trust provides free downloadable guides and information for parents - https://www.autismeducationtrust.org.uk/parents 
• NHS England useful advice and resources - https://www.england.nhs.uk/learning-disabilities/about/useful-autism-resources-and-training/ 
• SENDIASS workshops explaining the EHCP process - https://www.hampshiresendiass.co.uk/workshops/ 

Special Educational Needs and Disability Information Advice and Support Services

Hampshire SENDIASS is an impartial Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS) that aims to make a positive and lasting difference for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) and their parents and carers. They do this by providing timely confidential, impartial information, advice and support through our online resources, at events and workshops, via our helpline service and through individual casework.

Visit their website for further advice and support - https://www.hampshiresendiass.co.uk/ 

What is an EHCP? 

An Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan) is a legal document which describes a child or young person’s special educational needs, the support they need, and the outcomes they would like to achieve.

The special educational provision described in the EHC plan must be provided by the child or young person’s local authority. This means an EHC plan can give a child or young person extra educational support. It can also give parents and young people more choice about which school or other setting the child or young person can attend.

An EHC plan can only be issued after a child or young person has gone through the process of an Education, Health and Care needs assessment.

EHCP Process and timeline 

The first part of the process starts with school having a meeting with parents/carers to discuss your child's additional needs and how we can work together to ensure your child receives support and is able to reach their full potential. An educational psychologist will come into school to observe your child and will then produce a report outlining key areas for development and specific areas where support is required. 

Once this is complete, school will work hard to pull together as much evidence as possible for the EHCP application. Evidence includes school assessment outcomes, reports from external agencies and attendance data alongside examples of your child's work, such as independent writing if appropriate. 

The application will be sent by school to the Local Authority who will make a decision whether an EHCP will be made for your child. They have 16 weeks to make a decision. The Local Authority will then draft a copy which will be made available to parents and school through the EHC hub online - parents have 15 days to comment, including naming a specific setting for your child. The Local Authority then has 20 weeks from the date they receive the request for assessment to provide the final EHC plan. 

You can find free weekly workshops available on the SENDIASS website which will provide information and advice about the EHCP process - https://www.hampshiresendiass.co.uk/workshops/ 

You can find further information on EHCPs here - https://fish.hants.gov.uk/kb5/hampshire/directory/advice.page?id=BW9Wl_SIIDk 

• Autism awareness video