Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment recovery plan

Along with other local authorities across the country, Buckinghamshire Council has seen a significant rise in demand for Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) in recent years.

To address these challenges and ensure families and children can access the support they need in a timely manner, we have implemented an EHCNA Recovery Plan.

The plan includes a major new financial investment, with £3m of additional funding being allocated. Key priorities of the Recovery Plan include:

• Recruitment and retention of more educational psychologists and other professionals who are critical to the EHCNA process.
• Streamlined assessment processes to improve compliance with the 20-week statutory timeframe.
• Continued support for families during the assessment period, including improved communication and transparency.
• Monitoring and accountability measures to track progress and ensure the timely delivery of plans.

For more detailed information, see Buckinghamshire Council's recent Press Release.

We acknowledge that the wait time is challenging, and we remain committed to improving communications and wait times following the recovery plan. In the interim, we have support available. If you feel like your child is struggling and feeling low for a long period of time, or you have serious concerns, it might be helpful to seek support from a professional:

• Talk to your GP – they can refer your child to children and young people’s mental health services (CYPMHS).
• Make a referral to Bucks CAMHS. Bucks CAMHS are a specialist mental health service for children and young people provided by the NHS. You can refer yourself or someone you care for using their online referral form.
• Talk to your child’s school. If you express your concerns to a teacher, they might be able to tell you if they’ve noticed any changes in your child’s behaviour. They could also help refer your child to the school counsellor or mental health support team.
• Find mental health information, advice and support on our website.
• Search our directory for local organisations and services available to help support your child’s mental and emotional health