When a student is identified as having a high level of need, it indicates that they require significant support to thrive in their educational environment. As a SENCo or teacher, it's essential to understand the next steps to ensure that these students receive the necessary interventions and support. This article outlines the steps to take when further evaluation and an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) may be required.
What Is a High Level of Need?
This article advises on situations where students face substantial challenges in specific areas that significantly impact their learning and academic performance. Such students will benefit from targeted interventions, regular monitoring, and tailored instructional strategies to enhance their learning capabilities.
Further Evaluation: Why It's Important
For students identified with a high or very high level of need, further evaluation by an Educational Psychologist (EP) is crucial. Facilitating this step can provide a deeper understanding of the student’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioural challenges, allowing for more precise and effective interventions.
How Further Evaluation Helps
Comprehensive Understanding:
An Educational Psychologist’s assessment explores the student’s difficulties in greater detail, revealing underlying issues that may not have been apparent in initial assessments. A good place to go to get advice on EP assessments in Moon Hall Assessment Centre - here you can find assessors who look at multiple conditions.
Targeted Interventions
With a clearer picture of the student’s needs, you can implement more targeted interventions, ensuring that the support provided is both relevant and effective.
Practical Steps for Further Evaluation:
Arrange an Assessment:
Work with the school to facilitate a referral to an Educational Psychologist. Starting this process early is essential to avoid delays in providing the necessary support.
Prepare for the Assessment:
Gather all relevant information, including previous assessments, academic performance records, and observations of the student’s behaviour. Providing this context to the EP will help ensure a thorough evaluation.
Collaborate on the Results:
Once the assessment is complete, review the findings with the EP and other relevant staff members to integrate the results into the student’s support plan. This may involve adjusting teaching strategies, providing additional resources, or modifying the student’s current plan.
Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs)
For students with high or very high levels of need, applying for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) may be necessary. An EHCP is a legal document that outlines the additional support a student with SEN requires, and it is crucial in ensuring that these students receive the resources they need to succeed.
What Is an EHCP?
An EHCP is a detailed plan developed by the local authority that specifies the educational, health, and social care support a student with SEN requires. It is designed to help the student achieve their full potential by addressing their unique needs through tailored interventions and resources. There is a lot that goes into an EHCP, and it's not a given that even children with high levels of need can qualify. You can look at this fact sheet here for a longer article here for more specific detail.
How an EHCP Helps:
Comprehensive Support: The EHCP brings together input from educators, healthcare professionals, and social care providers to create a holistic plan that supports the student’s academic progress, health, and well-being.
Legal Framework: An EHCP provides a legal guarantee that the necessary resources and accommodations will be provided, ensuring that the student receives consistent and effective support.
Practical Steps for Applying for an EHCP
Start the Application Process Early
Begin the application process as soon as the need is identified. Work closely with the parents to gather the necessary documentation and evidence (which may be an EP assessment.
Maintain Communication with the Local Authority
Keep in close contact with the local authority throughout the EHCP process to ensure that the student’s needs are met and that the school is prepared to implement the plan once it is finalised.