Who can request an assessment?
The following people have a specific right to ask a local authority (LA) to do an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) for a child or young person aged between 0 and 25:
- the child's parent carer
- a young person in education aged over 16 but under 25
- a young person under 19 in a youth custodial establishment
- a person acting on behalf of an early years setting, school or post-16 institution. This should ideally be with the knowledge and agreement of the parent or young person where possible.
Anyone else can bring a child or young person who has (or may have) special educational needs or disabilities to the attention of the LA, particularly where they think an EHCNA may be necessary. This may include a Section 23 referral from the health authority.