Education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments and plans

SEND assessment processing timescales

A position statement from West Northamptonshire Council about the level of demand on SEND assessment services:

"It's not just about the length of the wait but the quality of the wait and how an individual experiences it. And the way to understand this is through communication."Chris McCann (Director of Communications, Campaigns and Insights at Healthwatch)

In line with many other local authorities West Northamptonshire is currently experiencing a very high number of requests for statutory assessment. 

The level of demand on services means that we may not always be able to follow processes within normal timescales. This is a national challenge, which is also affecting children and young people in West Northamptonshire.

All services in West Northamptonshire have worked hard to reduce outstanding assessments and subsequent delays, by increasing staffing capacity and improving systems and practices for conducting assessments. We are making progress, but we acknowledge there is still more work to be done.

We are sorry for any delay you may experience and we highly recommend you sign up to the parent/carer portal to receive regular updates.

However, we understand that some people may not be able to and so we have put a communication policy in place. This states that we will keep in regular contact (every 3 weeks) to provide you with updates on the progress of the assessment.

Support and further information

We understand this legal process can feel overwhelming, and we want to make sure you have the right support and information to help you through it. 

The following groups and resources are here to guide you and answer any questions you may have.

Your child’s school or setting: Set up a meeting with the SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) to go over the support currently in place and explore any additional interventions that may help. 

They will guide you through each stage of the 20-week process, explaining what to expect and answering any questions you may have

SEND Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS): This is a free, impartial service that provides guidance on SEND processes and can support you in understanding your options. 

You can contact SENDIASS on 0300 126 1039.

West Northamptonshire Local Offer: This provides information about local services, support groups and guidance for children with SEND. 

Explore the Local Offer.

Family Hubs and Early Help Services: If you feel your family would benefit from additional support, Family Hub services are available to provide guidance and assistance. 

Explore Family Hubs.

Contact Children and Family Support Services by email at [email protected] or call 01604 526 963.

In addition, we would like to make you aware of West Northants Voices in Partnership WNVP. As a parent or carer of a child or young person with SEND, WNVP gives you the opportunity to make a difference.

By joining, you can:

• ensure your voice is heard - share your experiences and influence SEND services
• help shape key decisions - be part of discussions that impact families at a strategic level
• connect with a supportive network - meet others who understand your journey and collaborate for change

Find out more about WNVP.

Last updated 13 October 2025