Last updated:
29th October 2024
EHCP decision making panels
How decisions about education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are made
We have two panels for making decisions about education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and education, health and care plans (EHCPs).
The panels decide how to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The decisions made by the panels are based on SEND law and guidance.
Both panels are multi-agency. This means professionals from different services attend. This helps make sure decisions are fair, robust and made in the best interests of children and young people.
The panels are called:
- The EHC needs assessment decision making forum (EDMF)
- The placements and funding decision making forum (PFF)
The EHC needs assessment decision making forum
This panel makes decisions about:
- carrying out an EHC needs assessment
- issuing an EHCP
- the type of school and the level of funding in an EHCP
- reassessing the needs of a child or young person with an EHCP
The placements and funding decision making forum
This panel makes decisions about:
- using the council’s resources to meet the needs of children and young people with an EHCP
- personal budgets for children and young people with an EHCP
- a change of educational placement or level of support for children and young people with an EHCP
When the panels take place
Both panels take place once a week, on a Wednesday.
How you find out about panel decisions
We will share decisions with you a week after the panel date (the following Wednesday) or sooner where possible.
We will email you a letter and a decision sheet to confirm the decision.
Who attends the panel meetings
The people who attend the EHC needs decision making forum are from:
- our SEND Service
- our Educational Psychology Service
- local schools (for example a SENCO or headteacher)
- local early years settings
- our alternative provision provider, Foundry College
The people who attend the placements and funding decision making forum are from:
- our SEND Service (including our Area SENCO)
- our Educational Psychology Service
- our Children’s Services finance team
- our Children’s Services commissioning team
-
our alternative provision provider, Foundry College
Input from social care colleagues and from Berkshire Healthcare Children and Young People’s Integrated Therapies (CYPIT) is also used at both forums.
Where a child or young person has a hearing, visual or multi-sensory impairment, Berkshire Sensory Consortium are invited to attend, or to provide input into the decision-making process.
What happens at the panel meetings
Information is shared with members of the panels in advance so they can read through and prepare for the meeting. Members must keep this information confidential and will not share it with anyone else.
The information considered by the panel can include:
- the views and wishes of the child or young person, including their aspirations
- the views and wishes from parents and carers, including their aspirations for their child
- professional advice
- the request for a needs assessment for an EHCP
- the EHCP
- the review of an EHCP
- information about the purpose and cost of a personal budget
The panels consider every request individually. The decisions made are based on the SEND legal framework and on the information provided and available at the time.
The person leading the panel meeting writes down the points of discussion and the decisions that are made. These notes will provide the feedback that is given to you, after the panel meeting.
How you can share your views
Parents, carers, children and young people don't attend the panel meetings, but you are an important part of our decision making.
You can provide your views:
- during a needs assessment for an EHCP
- as part of the annual review process for an EHCP
- by contacting the SEND Team to share information you want to be considered by the panels. This can be through a conversation with your SEND Casework Practitioner, or by emailing them. It’s important to do this before information is shared with panel members, which happens a week before the panel meeting.
If you don’t agree with our decision
The letter we send to you will explain which decisions you have the right to appeal.
Find out more about what to do if you disagree with an EHCP decision.
