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Young Person's Guide to Having Your Say in Decisions About Your Education Health Care Plan

Information for Young People

Under SEN law you become a ‘Young Person’ at the end of compulsory school age (the last Friday in June after you turn 16). You then have the right to make requests and decisions for yourself to prepare for adult life.

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As a young person you can:

  • Make a request for an assessment for an EHC plan;
  • Ask for changes to the content of your EHC plan;
  • Request the place where you want to learn to be named in your EHC plan;
  • Request a Personal Budget to pay for some things in your EHC plan;
  • Make an appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEN and Disability) about decisions concerning your EHC plan.

According to the Children and Families Act, Local Authorities must have regard, within your EHC plan to make sure that:

  • Your views, wishes and feelings about what needs to be in your EHC plan are taken into account;
  • You have been part of any decision making within the EHC plan;
  • You have been helped to participate in decisions in a way that works best for you;
  • Your EHC plan supports you to achieve the best possible outcomes for your life.

If these are put in place then your EHC plan should reflect your hopes and aspirations, strengths and needs and the support that will work best for you.

As a young person you should have your voice heard so that your EHC plan says what you need to succeed but remember you are not alone in this and can get help from those who know you best such as parents/carers, other family members, friends or an ‘Advocate’ * to help you make decisions, go to meetings, fill in forms, send emails, make phone calls.

You might want support to express your views about:

  • Your education;
  • Your future and what you want in adult life;
  • How to stay healthy;
  • Where you want to live;
  • Control of your money and bills;
  • How you will be part of the community;
  • How you will develop your independence.

*The IASS provides advocacy support for individual children, young people, and parents that empowers them to express their views and wishes and help them to understand and exercise their rights in matters including exclusion, complaints, SEND processes, and SEND appeals.

You can choose any of these options for making decisions about your EHCP:

  • I would like to make my own decisions;
  • I would like my parents/carers to makes decisions for me;
  • I would like to work with an ‘Advocate’ to help me to put my views forward and make decisions.

Remember - If you want others to make decisions on your behalf you must give consent to this.

Where can we get information, advice and support?

At Kirklees Independent Advice Service (KIAS) and Calderdale SENDIASS we can give free, legally based, confidential, impartial advice and support including:

  • Advice on SEN support at school / college aged 0 - 25 years
  • Explain the EHCP assessment process and your rights
  • Support in Annual reviews and meetings
  • Support in mediation and appeals
  • Advice on school exclusions

Who do I contact?

We would be happy to hear from you on:

KIAS – (Kirklees enquiries)
Telephone: 0300 330 1504

SENDIASS – (Calderdale enquiries)
Telephone: 01422 266141