Role of an EHC Officer 

Who are we

We are EHC officers, working within the statutory assessment service in Rochdale. We write and update education, health and care plans (EHCPs). We have allocated officers for each education setting. 

Who we work with 

Children and young people aged 0-25, who have had an EHC needs assessment agreed, or already have an EHCP or are cared for in Rochdale. They need to remain in education up to and including further education, continue making educational progress and requiring an EHCP. 

What we do 

We attend annual reviews, host meetings, write and amend EHCP’s and work with parents and carers. We move between the office, education settings and offsite visits. We also attend training, team meetings and other council events.

During the EHC needs assessment 

We manage the EHC needs assessment after all professional advice has been gathered. Write an initial assessment document for discussion in the co-production meeting led by an EHC officer and attended by the child/young person, parents/carers, and any relevant professionals where possible.

Guide and support with writing outcomes for the EHCP. Write the proposed EHC document and any other specific requests such as personal budget or placement to the LA’s panel for decision making.

Make amendments to the draft, based on professional evidence and parental requests.

Contact education settings to secure a placement.

Finalise the EHCP and ensure all relevant parties have this document.

For existing EHCPs in allocated education settings 

We process annual review paperwork for Rochdale students, attending the meetings where necessary.

Amend EHCPs following an annual review, if required, based on requests given by young person/parents/carers or the the education setting/any other professional.

Submit requests for changes of placement, provision, or funding. 

What else we can support with 

Whilst we always want to help where we can, there are queries which are not in the remit of the EHC officer or the statutory assessment process and these are:

Choosing a placement or course – Parents/carers/ young people tell officers their preferred placement. We will then consider your preference and try to secure this. No professional or EHC officer can advise you on which setting to choose the LA makes the final decision via a multi-agency panel.

Amending an EHCP – Changes must be requested by education settings in the annual review, supported with recent advice and evidence.  An EHC officer cannot consider unspecific changes, nor changes that are not formally requested. 

Exam access arrangements – School applies for these through the relevant exam boards. We cannot advise on or enforce this via an EHCP, but you can talk to your SENCO for further information.

Attendance – Where a child/young person is not attending a suitable placement, this is for the setting to manage, with the education welfare team and other professionals. An annual review may be called if there is evidence the provision is no longer suitable.

Referrals to other services – These will be done by schools, GPs, social workers, and or parents/carers. This includes referrals for therapies, financial services, health and housing. This also includes securing supported living or residential placements.

Bullying – This is an internal matter for schools to manage. Escalate this through the setting’s complaints policy.

Complaints – In the first instance matters should be addressed directly with the school, setting or relevant service. They all have an internal complaints policy to follow and this should be made available to you. If your complaint is directly linked to an EHCP please contact your named officer or email us.