Writing about your child – a checklist to help for EHC needs assessments

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This advice applies in England only. Read information for families in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

If you are requesting an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment, or providing further information as part of the assessment itself, it is important to give clear information about your child’s needs. Use the prompts below to help you describe your child’s needs and how these affect them. You do not need to cover everything, focus on what’s relevant to your child. 

Your child’s early years

• When did you first notice any problems, either big or small?
• Did you tell anyone about these problems? What help or advice did you get?

Your child now (in general)

• Health: eating, sleeping, illnesses, tiredness, depression, panic attacks.
• Physical skills: walking, climbing, handwriting, using scissors.
• Communication: hearing, gestures, eye contact, speech: describing things, talking to people, using the telephone, taking messages.
• Personal skills: dressing, washing, dealing with pocket money, time-keeping, remembering to pack sports kit/or pencil case.
• Are there any specific incidents that illustrate their difficulties? Are they getting worse?

Your child now (at home)

• Behaviour at home: sharing, listening, fighting with siblings, anxiety, poor moods, meltdowns.
• Activites: watching TV, reading, any hobbies, outside clubs, sports.
• Relationships: parents, brothers and sisters, other adults, friendships.
• Homework: any difficulty remembering what to do, getting started or finishing in the set time.

Your child now (in school)

• Behaviour: showing anxiety or frustration, problems with concentration.
• Lessons or activities they enjoy.
• Friendships, relationships with teachers.
• Problem areas: lessons, playtime, new teachers, change in routine.
• Extra help: what has (or hasn’t) worked for your child.
• Are your child’s difficulties getting worse? Does any incident or piece of work illustrate your child’s difficulties?
• What help do you think your child needs?

Your child’s views

• Does your child enjoy going to school? What do they like best?
• What would they like to achieve? What makes it hard for them to do this?
• What help does your child think they need?

Related information

Parent guides and factsheets

Factsheet: Education, health and care needs assessments

Download now

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If your child has special educational needs (SEN), their school can provide extra help through a system called SEN support.

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On this page, we look at the different options available when your child reaches the end of compulsory education.

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