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EHCP Casework Team

The EHCP Casework Team has reviewed several panel processes and introduced changes from the start of the academic year. The aim is to streamline panel decisions, improve timeliness, and ensure decision making is more consistent.

Decisions on whether to issue an EHCP following a statutory assessment

Current arrangements: All decisions on whether to issue an EHCP are considered at the Multiagency Panel (MAP).

New arrangements: Where the evidence clearly supports issuing an EHCP, the Assessment Review Meeting (ARM) will make the decision without referral to MAP for wider discussion. ARM will also confirm the primary need and resourcing required.

Cases needing further discussion or consideration will continue to be considered at MAP.

Requests for a change of placement following an Annual Review

Current arrangements: Where an Annual Review has highlighted a change of placement request from a mainstream to a resource base or specialist setting, the request is considered through a two-stage panel process:

  • Multiagency Panel (MAP) considers whether alternative placement options should be explored.
  • Countywide Admissions Panel (CAP) then considers all change of placement requests.

New arrangements: MAP will no longer consider these requests as a separate stage of the process. Instead there will be a single panel process through CAP.

The Annual Review should continue to clearly record the request for a change of placement and the evidence supporting it. The EHCP Casework Officer and Senior Officer will review the Annual Review documentation and discuss further with the school and parents/carers. The EHCP will be amended where appropriate and consultations sent to the parent/carer's preferred school.

Once consultation responses have been received, all information will be presented directly to CAP.

CAP will then decide whether to:

  • Maintain the current mainstream placement.
  • Agree whether to consider placement in a resource base or specialist setting.
  • Consult more widely for specialist provision.

Annual Review statutory timescales will continue to apply throughout the process.

The EHCP Casework Team will continue to review processes and gather feedback, and these changes will be discussed at SENCO briefings and training sessions this term.

If you require any clarification, please contact Nick Field, SEND Operations Manager, at Nick.Field@oxfordshire.gov.uk.