Stone Cross School

An EHCP:

·        Describes a child’s special educational needs

·        Sets out the provision required to meet those needs

·        Includes relevant health and social care information

·        Provides a long‑term plan to support progress and wellbeing

·        Is legally binding; the local authority must ensure provision is delivered

An EHCP may be appropriate when:

·        A child has significant and persistent difficulties despite high‑quality support

·        Several cycles of the Graduated Approach have taken place

·        External professionals are already involved

·        The child requires support beyond what the school can reasonably provide

·        Progress remains limited even with targeted interventions

If we believe an EHCP may be beneficial, we will always discuss this with you first.

The process is managed by East Sussex County Council (ESCC). Anyone can request an assessment — the school, a parent/carer, or a young person aged 16+.

Here is what typically happens:

1. Request for Assessment

A formal request is submitted to ESCC with evidence of the child’s needs and the support already in place.

2. Decision to Assess

The local authority reviews the request and decides whether to carry out an assessment (usually within 6 weeks).

3. Gathering Advice

If agreed, ESCC collects information from:

·        Parents and carers

·        School staff

·        Educational Psychology

·        Health professionals

·        Social care (if involved)

4. Draft EHCP

If the assessment shows that an EHCP is needed, ESCC writes a draft plan and shares it with families for feedback.

5. Final EHCP Issued

Once agreed, the final EHCP is issued. It outlines the child’s needs, outcomes, and provision.

6. Annual Review

EHCPs are reviewed every 12 months to ensure they remain up to date and effective.

At Stone Cross School, we will:

·        Guide you through the process

·        Help gather evidence

·        Work closely with external professionals

·        Ensure your child’s voice is heard

·        Keep communication open and honest

We understand that the EHCP process can feel overwhelming, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

If your child receives an EHCP:

·        We create a personalised plan based on the EHCP outcomes

·        Staff are briefed on the provision required

·        Support is monitored regularly

·        We discuss progress with you at least three times a year

·        The EHCP is reviewed annually with ESCC via an Annual Review held at the school

Our goal is always to ensure that the support is meaningful, effective, and centred around your child’s wellbeing and progress.