The Local Authority (LA) must make a decision and let you know their decision within 16 weeks of receiving the request for an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.

After all of the required evidence is received detailing your child /young persons aspirations, needs and the level of support (provision) required to meet the identified learning goals (outcomes), the LA will be able to make an informed decision.

After an Education, Health and Care needs assessment overview has been written it is discussed at one of the weekly multi-agency Decision To Issue (DTI) Panel meetings 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. The LA then decides whether your child or young person’s identified needs can be met at SEND Support without the need for an EHCP or if an EHCP is required.

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 by either issuing:

• an EHC needs assessment outcome, if the support required can be met at within SEND Support through the Torbay SEND Support and Provision – Graduated Response without the need for an EHCP
• Or a draft EHCP

You will probably by by email and you may also be informed by phone. In either case the LA will also provide you with copies of all of the reports used within the EHC needs assessment upon which the LA decision was made.