The person-centred approach in Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans
An Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan uses a person-centred approach. This is a way of working that:
- puts children, young people, and families at the centre of what we do
- recognises that everyone has the right to have choice and control in directing their lives and the support they receive
We'll listen carefully to what's important to the child or young person now and in the future. We'll also listen to what families and professionals say is important for them.
Professionals will have strategies to make sure that parents, carers, children, and young people are able to share their opinions.
We'll agree on actions or changes based on the evidence from parents or carers, children and young people, and professionals.
We need to be fair about how we make decisions you or your child may not always be able to have exactly what you want in an EHC plan. However, we'll carefully consider what that child or young person needs and make sure that you have the opportunity to explain what you and your child need from the assessment.
This video helps explain the EHCP process and its person-centred approach:
Planning for the EHC Needs Assessment process
If you're about to start the EHC Needs Assessment process, it would be helpful for your child to think about:
- who's in your family
- who's important to them
- what do they like about themself and what they're good at
- what’s not working about their support
- what they would like to change
- what new things they would like to try
- what their aspirations are
- what they would like to be doing when they leave education
All About Me template
The All About Me template gives children and young people an opportunity to explain what matters to them. It's essential to the person-centred approach that the child or young person’s views are the starting point for their plan.
Schools and educational settings are required to include All About Me at the beginning of the EHC Needs Assessment process. We give this to any professionals that are asked to contribute to make sure they understand your views and wishes along with those of your child.