Assessments / Advice & next steps
What evidence may help an EHCP request
You can request an EHC needs assessment without commissioning private reports. Use the best current evidence available and identify any important gaps.
Quick answer
Assessment evidence can help an EHC needs assessment request when it explains the child’s needs, the educational impact, support already tried and what further assessment or provision may be necessary. Reports do not need to use identical wording, but the request should make clear how the evidence fits together.
What this means
Relevant assessment evidence may come from school, educational psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, health services or other professionals involved with the child. The most useful reports describe strengths and needs, the context in which difficulties occur, provision tried, response to support and recommendations. Parent and child views are also evidence and can explain impact that formal testing does not capture.
A report should be read for meaning rather than only scores or labels. Highlight findings that relate directly to access, participation, progress, communication, independence or wellbeing in education.
If reports conflict, do not hide the difference. Summarise the competing views and explain what further assessment may be needed to resolve the question.
Questions to ask
What does this evidence show about educational needs and impact?
Which support has been tried and what was the response?
Do the reports identify important questions that remain unanswered?
How are the child or young person’s views represented?
Local Northamptonshire route
Submit the request through the current route published by either North Northamptonshire Council or West Northamptonshire Council, depending on which authority is responsible. Their forms and contact arrangements may differ. The relevant SENDIASS service can help families understand the local process without requiring paid advice.
Free support and useful links
External free resource
West Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in West Northamptonshire.
External free resource
North Northamptonshire SENDIASS
Free, impartial SEND information, advice and support for families in North Northamptonshire.
External free resource
Northamptonshire Local Offer
Local SEND information, services and support routes for children and young people.
External free resource
GOV.UK SEND information
Official information about special educational needs, EHC plans and support.
External free resource
IPSEA
Free SEND law information and resources for parents and carers.
External free resource
Council for Disabled Children
National resources and information about SEND support and policy.
Professional help is available if you need it
Private assessment is optional. Existing school, NHS and local authority evidence can be used. Consider independent assessment only where it addresses a clear unanswered question and check the professional’s registration and report scope.
What happens next?
Keep copies of the evidence and submission. The local authority decides whether to carry out an EHC needs assessment; no individual report guarantees the decision. If assessment is agreed, the authority may seek further professional advice as part of the statutory process.
Support that may help
School SENCO · SENDIASS · Educational psychologist · Speech and language therapist · Occupational therapist
Related guidance
SEND Lantern provides general information to help families understand possible next steps. It does not replace legal, medical or local authority advice.
Independent guidance for families
SEND Lantern is an independent guidance platform operated by SEND Lantern Ltd. We help families explore special educational needs and disabilities support, possible next steps and relevant services. SEND Lantern is not part of the NHS, a local authority, a school or any individual service provider. Information on this website is general guidance and should not be treated as medical, legal or educational advice.