As the name suggests, an EHCP is a legal document that describes the child or young person’s educational, health and social care needs. It should also specify how those needs should be met, including who should deliver the support and the frequency/duration of the support.

Children or young people who have special educational needs, but do not have an EHCP in place, have the right to request an assessment of their needs at any point before their 25th birthday.

At Anthony Gold, we understand that children and young adults, who have special educational needs as the result of an injury or disability, require specialist and tailored support. This is to ensure that their needs are met so that they can realise their full potential.

Deputies and families require specialist advice throughout a child or young person’s education, to ensure that educational needs and targets are accurately defined and that any support included in a Statement or EHCP remains appropriate. This is particularly important at transitional stages of education.

Our Court of Protection team supports children and young people who lack capacity and who have special educational needs. We have experience in cases where:

• A school or local authority fails to acknowledge the child’s educational needs, or the Statement or EHCP does not accurately define those needs;
• Insufficient support is provided in school or college to meet special educational needs;
• The child or young person is not able to access suitable school transport;
• The family experience problems accessing a home education when the child can’t attend school;
• The local authority will not agree to fund the school or educational placement required to meet the child or young person’s special educational needs;
• The child or young adult has a disability discrimination

If you are (or care for) a child or young adult (25 and under), the Court of Protection team at Anthony Gold can help.