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EHC plans to be enforceable again from August

21st July 2020

TAGS ehc plan, ehcp

  • Sheffield City Council has produced an information sheet about temporary changes to the law on EHC plans. We have copied and pasted the text below:


    The Government temporarily changed the law on Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans. This was because coronavirus meant it was not possible for children and young people to receive their usual support. The Government has now said it wants to end the temporary changes as soon as possible.

    Support and therapies

    The Government has said that local authorities and health commissioners will return to having an ‘absolute duty’ to provide the support described in an EHC Plan. Unless the evidence changes, this will be from 1 August.

    This means that children and young people can expect their usual support, interventions and therapies when they go back to school in September. Schools, colleges, nurseries and other settings are working hard to plan and prepare for this. They are following the Government’s guidance. But the Government has said it will consider if changes are needed locally to respond to outbreaks of Coronavirus.

    Timescales

    The timescales relating to EHC needs assessments and annual reviews have been relaxed if delays are caused by Coronavirus. The Government has said these changes will be in place until at least 25 September. Your child’s school or setting will get in touch if your child’s EHC Plan is due a review. We will be in touch if your child or young person is having an EHC needs assessment, or being considered for one, and there are delays.

    Arrangements for September

    Schools and settings will contact all families about arrangements for September. This will be before or over the summer. If you have any questions or concerns please contact your child’s SENCO. But please be aware that there may be some delay in them coming back to you over the summer holidays.

    You can also contact Sheffield’s Special Educational Needs and Disability Information, Advice and Support Service (SSENDIAS) for impartial advice:

    Further information

    Contact SENDSARS with any questions or concerns about the EHC Plan processes including assessments and reviews:

    • SENDAssess&Review@sheffield.gov.uk
    • 0114 273 6394

     Visit the Local Offer for information about support and services in Sheffield for children and young people with special educational needs. This includes a coronavirus section.

    Links to guidance

    The temporary changes to law on EHC Plans were made by the Government on 1 May:

    Government guidance on the full reopening of:

    Sheffield has a COVID-19 Local Outbreak Control Plan which is designed to prevent outbreaks.

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