In 2014, Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCP) were introduced to provide funding and tailored support for individuals with educational and health needs. These legal documents allocate resources to help children and young people achieve their educational goals and prepare them for adulthood by addressing their special needs.
Give your child the tools and support they need to succeed
What to expect from a Education, Health and Care Plan Assessment with our Psychologist
An Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) is designed to address the educational, health, and care needs of a child or young person (up to 25 years old) with special educational needs or disabilities (SEN or SEND).
We understand the challenges this process can bring. If your child is not currently supported by the local CAMHS team or receiving mental health assistance, this may lead to a lack of recommendations in that area of the report, resulting in inadequate support.
One of our Psychologists conducts a comprehensive mental health evaluation with your child which will generally last around 90 minutes, we gather information from parents and school, to evaluate your child’s needs.
We will then provide a detailed report post-assessment. This report includes our findings and recommendations which can be shared with your local authority for inclusion in your child’s EHCP.
Why a Education, Health and Care Plan might be right for you
An EHCP aims to enhance the future of children or young individuals with learning difficulties or disabilities.
It acknowledges the need for enhancing the existing support and outlines specific suggestions for improvement.
This plan is a legally binding document, requiring schools or educational institutions to implement the recommendations by law.
Having an EHCP provides legal protection for your child and promotes their education, emotional well-being, physical health, and social growth. The perspectives and aspirations of the young person and their family play a pivotal role in this process.
Who can benefit from a Education, Health and Care Plan
In general, certain warning signs may suggest that your child is facing obstacles that hinder their learning process, such as struggling with reading, writing, or math, issues with concentration and staying focused, falling behind their class mates, behavioural challenges that interfere with learning, or the presence of other neurodevelopmental disorders or disabilities (such as ADHD or Autism Spectrum Disorder).
An EHCP is for children and young people aged up to the age of 25, or until/if they go to university.
Prices
Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) for 1 child
Discover answers to common questions below. Should you have any other inquiries, please feel free to connect with us.
Can you provide formal and recognised diagnosis?
Yes, we are trained to assess using clinical questioning and observations and psychometric tools to be able to effectively assess and diagnose specific mental health conditions and recommend appropriate treatment. We do not prescribe medication but would recommend a course of appropriate therapy or interventions to support your needs. This is much evidence to support therapy/interventions as a first line of support.
How do I make a referral, do I need to be referred by my GP?
No, you do not need a referral from a GP. Anyone can make a referral. Common referrals we receive include self-referrals, referrals from friends, families and case managers / solicitors. If you would like to make a referral please use the contact us button.
Will the assessment be accepted by local authorities, CAMHS and school?
This is a common query we receive regarding child and adolescent assessments, as parents understandably want assurance that a privately conducted assessment will be acknowledged and used to access necessary support. An assessment cannot be refused solely because it was done privately, as long as it aligns with NICE guidelines and is conducted by appropriately trained professionals. Our psychologists at Equally Different are members of the British Psychological Society to maintain high standards of practice and our Speech and Language therapists and Occupational therapists are registered with the HCPC . Our team has extensive experience in both child and adult NHS services.
How do you conduct online sessions?
Our online sessions are held in Microsoft Teams. You will receive a dedicated meeting invitation and link to join the call. You do not need to have a Microsoft account to join our sessions and can attend as a guest user. Online sessions and assessments are becoming much the norm since Covid and lots of people prefer this way of interacting, however, if it is not for you, we are happy to discuss alternative methods such as in a clinic setting or at times, in your own home.
How long do appointments last?
The length of an appointment will vary for each individual and will depend on the type of appointment they need. Generally,initial assessments last between one to one and a half hours long. Treatment sessions generally last between half an hour and one hour long. Sessions can be longer or shorter and will be tailored to meet the needs and preferences of the patient.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies between people considerably. People are often seen for between 12- 36 sessions but some have also benefited from just a few sessions.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept payment via Bank Transfer, PayPal or in cash.
Can you prescribe medication?
We do not prescribe medication, we offer therapy as a first step for support. Therapy has much evidence in it’s effectiveness in treatment for various mental health difficulties.
Can you support outside of Dorset?
Many sessions are held online which means we can reach across the UK and further. We are also able to travel with additional costs for the time and mileage.
Do you need written evidence or meeting support?
You may not require a full EHCP mental-health assessment. We also offer brief professional letters, detailed reports and attendance at EHCP or annual review meetings.
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