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Are the proposed 'timelines' by the SENCo in line with the correct Annual review process?
We applied for our son's EHC plan last year and following the coproduction meeting in January, the SENCo submitted details for additional funding.
The request for funding went to panel, got approved and the final amended EHC Plan was issued on 28/02/2024.
The SENCo recently sent the following email:
[XX]'s annual review is due this term.
As [XX] is in Year 2 (which is a Key stage transition to Year 3 Key Stage 2), his EHCP is due to be reviewed. As part of this process, we request an Educational Psychologist to assess and set new targets. Can you please return the consent form, if you agree to the EP visit. Otherwise the EP will not see him. We will do an annual review without the EP assessment.
So you are aware of the timeline- it is listed below
Timeline
Parent sends in EP consent
EP visits and assess child in school
SENCo sets date for annual review and EP meeting for parents to attend
EP meets with parents and SENCo - hold Annual review as part of this meeting (teacher and LSA attends this meeting) Typically lasts 1-1.5 hours
SENCo amends EHCP paperwork and sends to parents
SENCo sends revised EHCP paperwork to borough to update EHCP
Could you please advise on the following:
1. The SENCo seems to believe that the annual review is based on term(academic year) and not calendar(i.e months). Is there any reference to 'term' in the legislation?
2. We believe the annual review is not due until February(this is the timeframe we (parents) are working toward). The SENCO seems to be rushing to have the meeting to catch us unprepared. How can we push back on this?
3. The timeline described below seems to muddle several separate processes into one. Shouldn't the EP assessment be done separately ahead of the annual review? We would expect the findings from the EP assessment to be used to update the needs and targets in the EHCP, is this correct?
4. The SENCo's email seems to suggest that the EP is accountable for assessing and setting new targets. Our son has OT, SLT and Physio; does this mean the EP sets targets for all of these?
5. The SENCo suggests that she will amend the targets and interventions in our son's EHCP and then issue it to the LA to be rubber-stamped. Shouldn't the LA SEND team be part of the annual review and process of updating the EHCP?
6. We have heard from many parents that the SENCo seeks to remove as many interventions(without clear evidence of progress) as possible from children's EHCPs at annual reviews. Is that common and why? How can we protect ourselves against this?
7. Should we be arranging for other professional assessments (SLT, OT, Physio etc) to feed into the updated needs and targets?SenateUser 612
10 Nov 2024