Welcome to our guide on Post-16 Special Educational Needs (SEN) support and resources for parents and carers. In this resource, we provide information on Education, Health & Care (EHC) plans, curriculum guidelines, and a curated list of useful resources to assist you in navigating the SEN landscape.
Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plans
An EHC plan is a legally binding document which is drawn up by the Local Authority after conducting an EHC Needs Assessment.
Education, Health & Care (EHC) plans are crucial documents designed to ensure your child’s educational, health, and social care needs are met. Here’s what you need to know:
1. Plan Overview: The EHC plan outlines your young person’s specific educational, health, and social care needs, the support they will receive, and the expected outcomes.
2. Legal Requirements: The law mandates that the needs and provision sections of an EHC plan must be specified.
3. Core Principles: EHC plans prioritise the young person and their family, focus on their aspirations, set meaningful outcomes, and encourage collaboration between education, health, and care services to support the transition to adulthood.
4. Age Coverage: EHC plans can cover ages 0-25, but support continuation beyond age 19 is not automatic. This should be discussed carefully during Annual Reviews and Transition Planning.
InFocus Curriculum Information
InFocus College students generally follow a 3-year programme post-16 and/or post-19. After three years, students typically move on to their next steps. However, in exceptional cases, additional time may be needed to complete study programmes or transition to specialised frameworks such as Supported Internships.
Details of our curriculum can be found on our Specialist Curriculum page.
Advice for Parents/Carers – Useful Information and Resources
1. SEN Code of Practice: The Local Authority must provide information and advice on SEN, health, social care, and personal budgets. Support for decision-making should also be available.
2. SENDIOG (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Organisations Group):** A network of organizations offering free and impartial advice to children, young people, and their caretakers.
3. Local Authority’s Information, Advice & Support (IAS) Service: Each Local Authority provides IAS services, offering information and advice on various SEN and disability-related topics.
Websites for Further Information
Here are some recommended websites for additional guidance and resources:
Contact – for families with disabled children
IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice)
Mental Capacity Act and Lasting Power of Attorney details – Recommended for Power of Attorney and Court of Protection applications.
SEND Code of Practice: 0 to 25 years
We hope this resource proves valuable in your journey to support children and young people with SEN. Please feel free to explore the provided links and resources to access more in-depth information. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to us, your Local Authority or one of the recommended support organisations.