📝 Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA)

If you think a child or young person needs more help than school or college can provide, an EHCNA is the first formal step toward an EHCP.

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1) What is an EHCNA?

An Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) is a formal legal process carried out by your Local Authority (LA). It gathers detailed information about a child or young person’s needs across education, health, and social care, and decides whether they need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

  • It is a legal process, not an informal school review.
  • You do not need a diagnosis to request one. The law is based on need, not labels.
  • Applies from 0 to 25 years old.

2) Who can request an EHCNA?

  • Parents or carers (including foster carers and guardians).
  • Young people aged 16 and over.
  • Schools or colleges.

You do not need the school’s permission. Evidence from school and other professionals is useful, but not a legal requirement for making the request.

3) How to make a request

Make the request in writing to your LA’s SEND team (email or letter). Using a council form can help but is not required.

Include:

  • Child or young person’s details: full name, date of birth, address.
  • A clear statement that you are requesting an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment under Section 36(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014.
  • A short summary of difficulties and needs, and what has been tried at SEN Support.
  • Why additional support is needed and the impact on learning or access.
  • Any evidence you have (reports, data, diary notes). Optional but helpful.
Tip: Keep a simple evidence log: date, what happened, impact, and any school actions. This builds a clear picture over time.

The LA must carry out an assessment if:

  • The child or young person may have special educational needs, and
  • It may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for them via an EHCP.

This is a low threshold. You are not asked to prove everything up front.

5) Timescales

  • Within 6 weeks: LA decides whether to assess.
  • During assessment: LA gathers advice from an Educational Psychologist, school/college, health (SALT, OT, paediatrics, CAMHS if relevant), social care (if involved), and the parent, carer, or young person.
  • By week 16: If assessment proceeds, a draft EHCP should be issued.
  • By week 20: The final EHCP must be issued.
Note: Timescales are legal. Keep track of dates and follow up in writing if deadlines are missed.

6) What to expect during the assessment

  • Professionals provide written, specific reports and may see the child in person.
  • Your views, wishes, and aspirations are requested and must be considered.
  • Education, health, and social care information is drawn together to form a full picture of need.

7) If the LA refuses to assess

If the LA refuses, you will receive a letter explaining why. You can:

  • Request mediation with an independent mediator, or
  • Appeal to the SEND Tribunal. You cannot be forced to attend mediation before appealing.
Myth-busting: You do not have to be “two years behind,” and you do not need a formal diagnosis. The law is based on need.

8) Top tips

  • Keep everything in writing and organise emails in a SEND folder.
  • Be clear and concise about needs and why SEN Support is not enough.
  • Gather evidence early: professional reports, school data, diary notes.
  • Track deadlines and follow up politely but firmly.
  • Challenge decisions you disagree with through mediation or appeal.

9) Template: Request for EHCNA

Copy, paste, and personalise the text below. Send by email to your LA’s SEND team and keep a copy.

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Postcode]
[Email] | [Phone]
[Date]

SEND Team
[Name of Local Authority]
[LA Address or SEND inbox email]

Subject: Request for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment for [Child/Young Person’s Full Name, DOB]

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to request an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) for my [child/young person], [Name] (DOB: [DD/MM/YYYY]), under Section 36(1) of the Children and Families Act 2014.

[Name] has significant difficulties with [briefly outline key areas e.g. communication and interaction; learning and cognition; social, emotional and mental health; sensory and/or physical needs], which impact access to learning and progress. School has provided support at SEN Support level, including [briefly list], but this has not been sufficient. It may therefore be necessary for special educational provision to be made via an EHCP.

Please confirm receipt of this request and the next steps. I understand the Local Authority must decide whether to assess within six weeks.

Yours faithfully,
[Your Name]
Prefer a download? 📥 Download the request letter template

10) Summary

An EHCNA is the gateway to securing a legally binding EHCP. Request it in writing, know the legal test and timescales, keep good records, and challenge refusals where appropriate. You do not need a diagnosis. The process is about need and ensuring the right provision is put in place.