You told us
People told us in 2022 that the Education Health and Care Needs Assessment process was very confusing and people did not know what would happen when.
The problem
Material on the Local Offer was limited. Information wasn’t all together and did not take you on a journey through the process.
We listened
We created a series of pages to help young people and parents access information about Education, Health and Care plans (EHC plans). The pages take you from before a plan is needed, right through to the reviewing and ending of a plan. The new format helped explain the journey and what happens at each step.
You can find more information on our Education, Health and Care Plan pathway pages.
What happened next
Families told us there were gaps in the information. We then improved the information if you move into or out of Somerset.
More clarity was added about when and how an EHC plan may be ceased.
We improved the information on what parent carers can do if provision in an EHC plan is not being delivered. Listening events were held on the 4 October 2024 with parent carers. We described what we would like to do to see if this is what families would value, and how contact should be made. We created a new page and process, see provision within the EHC plan.
The Education Health and Care Plan Standards Group reviewed the advice given by professionals for EHC plans and decided the questions needed to change. The requests for information from health professionals have been improved. We are now working to make the Local Offer clearer about health needs. Find out more about the changes in the medical advice form.
What has the impact been
Since publishing the new pages in 2023, numbers of page views have significantly increased. Professionals working with parents carers were telling us it is very helpful information.
But parent carers were finding some information too complex. We are now working in 2025 to improve simplicity and navigation through the pages. So far we have updated the advice and support, and EHC needs assessment and EHC plans sections. We are still updating the Annual Review and disputes and resolution sections.