The Local Authority (LA) must make a decision and let you know their decision within 6 weeks of receiving the request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.

After all of the initial required evidence is received from you and your child or young person’s educational setting (pre-school, school or college), the Local Authority (LA) will be able to make an informed decision.

All of this information is discussed at one of the weekly multi-agency Decision to issue (DTI) Panel to support the LA in making an informed decision. The DTI Panel is chaired by the LA’s SEND Service Manager, who is responsible for making the decision, and consists of representatives from Educational Psychology, Advisory Teaching, SENCOs, health and social care.

As soon as the LA has made their decision they will inform both you and your child or young person’s educational setting (pre-school, school or college) in writing. You will probably by by email and you may also be informed by phone.