On this page we will explain what a re-assessment is. We will also look at why re-assessments are carried out.

What is a re-assessment?

A re-assessment is a full EHC needs assessment carried out for a child or young person who already has an EHC plan.

This means that all the information and advice that is required under regulation 6 of The SEND Regulations must be gathered again by the local authority. You can learn more about the process on our page, What happens in a re-assessment? 

The re-assessment will identify what the current special educational needs of the child or young person are, what provision they currently require, and what outcomes are expected for them.

Why would a child or young person with an EHC plan have their needs re-assessed?

After an EHC needs assessment is carried out, an EHC plan may be issued. The information gathered in the EHC needs assessment is used to specify needs, provision and outcomes in the EHC plan.   

However, that assessment reflected the situation at that time. By this, we mean the assessment will show what needs the child had at that time, the provision they required at that time, and what outcomes were expected for them from that support.

Yet needs and provision can change over time, and the EHC plan needs to remain up to date and reflect current circumstances.

Usually, the annual review process makes sure that an EHC plan remains up to date. Parents and young people can also appeal the contents of an EHC plan to make sure it properly specifies needs and provision.

Sometimes, though, children and young people’s needs change quite a lot, which could mean not all their needs or provision are fully understood. In this situation, a re-assessment might be useful.

Next: Who can ask for a re-assessment?