How we help Get support Education, Health and Care plans EHC needs assessments EHC needs assessment FAQs Can a child who is below compulsory school age have an EHC needs assessment? Yes: the purpose of the Children and Families Act 2014 (“CAFA 2014”) was to extend the benefit of statutory support to those children and young people with special educational needs (“SEN”) from aged from 0-25, so this includes under 5's / preschool / nursery children.