Applying for an Education, Health and Care Plan can feel daunting, especially when you are trying to gather the right evidence at the right time. Parents, SENCOs and case managers often ask where Occupational Therapy fits, which assessments carry weight, and how to make sure recommendations translate into provision a school can implement.
This guide sets out a clear path for Cornwall and Devon families and schools. You will find the stages and typical timelines, what OT evidence helps most, where assessments happen, and how private reports interface with Local Authority processes. You will also see how Waves Occupational Therapy works with schools to turn findings into practical support.
If you have a spring panel date approaching, there is a simple checklist near the end to help you get everything organised.
Where Occupational Therapy fits in an EHCP needs assessment
Occupational Therapy (OT) evidence strengthens the understanding of how a child’s motor skills, sensory processing and functional participation affect learning and daily life at school and home. OT contributes at several points:
- Before a request: screening or a focused assessment can identify barriers and immediate strategies that schools can trial.
- During the statutory assessment: an OT report gives objective data and specific recommendations mapped to outcomes and provision.
- At review: follow-up assessments track progress and refine goals and supports.
At Waves OT, assessments are evidence-informed and child-centred. We combine standardised measures with observation in real contexts, then translate results into strategies teachers and families can use straight away.
The five stages and typical timelines
While each Local Authority has its own processes, the broad stages in England are consistent:
- Request for assessment. A parent, young person or school can request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. Include information about needs, what has been tried and the impact on progress.
- Decision to assess, usually within 6 weeks. The Local Authority reviews the request and decides whether to carry out a full needs assessment.
- Multi-disciplinary assessment, typically 6 to 12 weeks. Professionals gather evidence. This can include an OT assessment where motor, handwriting, sensory, postural or self-care needs are relevant.
- Draft plan, often around week 16. If the LA decides to issue an EHCP, they produce a draft with sections on needs, outcomes and provision. Families and schools can comment and request changes.
- Final plan and placement, by week 20 in most cases. The LA issues the final EHCP and names the setting. Timescales can vary; school holidays and appointment availability may affect scheduling.
If you are working to a spring panel timetable, start gathering reports early in the spring term so there is time for assessment, feedback and any classroom trials.
Do you need a diagnosis or funding to access an EHCP?
- Diagnosis is not required. The EHCP process is needs-led. Evidence should show what the child finds hard, why, and what support makes a difference. An OT report can do this even without a formal diagnosis such as Autism or DCD.
- Parents do not usually receive direct funding. The EHCP specifies provision that the school or Local Authority must arrange. Families sometimes choose a private assessment to meet timelines or add depth to the evidence. Private reports can be submitted and should be considered alongside other professional input.
What OT evidence is most useful
Panels value clear, objective findings linked to functional goals and provision. We typically include:
- Standardised assessments. Movement ABC-2 (MABC-2) for manual dexterity, balance, and ball skills; Detailed Assessment of Speed of Handwriting (DASH) for writing speed and task demands; Beery Visual-Motor Integration (VMI) with subtests for visual perception and motor coordination; and EASI-informed sensory assessments where sensory processing affects attention, regulation or participation.
- Observations in context. Classroom observation of seating, posture, grip, transitions, copying from the board, organisation and the sensory environment; home routines when relevant.
- Functional goals. Measurable targets that tie assessment results to everyday tasks, for example copying two lines legibly within time, managing clothing fastenings in PE, or sustaining attention for short independent tasks with agreed regulation supports.
- Practical provision. Clear, implementable strategies and reasonable adjustments; equipment trials such as sloped boards or seating tweaks; and suggested review points.
Where and how assessments happen
Waves OT delivers assessments in clinic at Threemilestone, Truro, and through visits to home or school across Cornwall and Devon. The right setting depends on the question you need to answer:
- Clinic. Best for standardised testing in a controlled environment and for equipment trials.
- School. Ideal for seeing real tasks, timetable pressures and environmental demands; useful for staff liaison.
- Home. Helpful for sensory regulation routines, self-care, handwriting practice setup and generalisation.
We also offer short screening sessions when you need rapid direction before deciding on a full assessment.
If you are looking for a paediatric OT clinic in Truro or surrounding areas, you can read more about children’s services on our site. For families seeking a local occupational therapist in Plymouth, our team provides private appointments and can advise on the best assessment route.
Common OT assessments included in EHCP evidence
- Movement ABC-2 (MABC-2). Assesses manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance. Component and total scores convert to percentiles that help explain participation in PE, playground and classroom tasks.
- DASH. Measures handwriting speed under different conditions. Results support reasonable adjustments and exam access arrangements when indicated.
- Beery VMI. Looks at how visual information integrates with motor output for handwriting, drawing and copying.
- Sensory processing assessment. EASI-informed testing and structured observation identify modulation and discrimination differences that may affect attention and behaviour. Parent and teacher questionnaires add valuable context.
Results are always interpreted alongside posture, grip, seating, attention and the classroom environment.
How private assessments interface with Local Authorities
Private OT assessments can be submitted as part of the evidence for a needs assessment or review. A clear report that maps findings to Section B (needs), Section E (outcomes) and Section F (provision) helps decision makers. Waves OT can liaise with schools, SENCOs and case managers to ensure recommendations are realistic and trackable. Where significant findings suggest onward referral, we can share results with your GP or paediatrician with consent.
Costs, self-referral and booking
Waves OT is a private practice. Assessments and therapy are charged, and travel costs may apply for home or school visits. Exact fees can vary by assessment type and location, so please contact us on 07739362516 or via the website contact form for current pricing and packages. You can self-refer; a GP or school referral is not required.
If you are aiming for spring panels, book early to secure dates that allow time for assessment and report completion. When you enquire, include key deadlines and your preferred setting.
Quick checklist for parents and SENCOs
- Clarify the question: what do you need OT evidence to show?
- Gather school data: work samples, attainment and progress, strategies tried and their impact.
- Choose setting: clinic, school or home, based on the question.
- Book early: allow time for assessment, feedback and staff liaison before panel dates.
- Agree measurable goals: tie findings to outcomes and provision the school can implement.
- Plan review: set a date to check what is working and what needs adjusting.
FAQs
- How do you get an EHCP assessment and where does it take place? Submit a written request to the Local Authority with evidence of need and what has been tried. OT assessments can occur in clinic, at school or at home across Cornwall and Devon, depending on what will yield the most relevant evidence.
- What are the stages and timelines? Request; decision to assess within about 6 weeks; multi-disciplinary assessment across the next 6 to 12 weeks; draft plan around week 16; final plan by week 20. Timings can vary.
- Do you need a diagnosis and do parents get funding? No diagnosis is required. EHCPs are based on need. Parents do not usually receive direct funding; the EHCP specifies provision the school or LA must arrange.
- What OT assessments are commonly included? MABC-2, DASH, Beery VMI and sensory processing assessments, alongside classroom and home observations.
- How much does a private OT assessment cost and can I self-refer? Fees vary by assessment type and setting. Contact Waves OT for current prices. Yes, you can self-refer.
How Waves OT collaborates with schools and case managers
Collaboration starts before the visit. We review parent and teacher questionnaires, clarify the focus and agree any observations. During school visits we work around timetables, meet relevant staff and demonstrate equipment or strategies where helpful. Reports are written in plain language with provision that can be implemented and reviewed by school teams. Optional feedback sessions ensure everyone understands the findings and next steps.
If you are coordinating support in Plymouth, Truro, Redruth or Penzance, our team can help you prioritise the right tools and timelines.
A gentle next step
If you need EHCP-ready OT evidence this spring, we are here to help. Contact Waves Occupational Therapy via our website to arrange an assessment in clinic, at school or at home. Mention your key dates so we can advise on availability and the most efficient route to a clear, useful report.
For more on sensory evaluation in Cornwall and Devon, you can read about our approach to EASI sensory assessments. If handwriting is your focus, explore our overview of OT handwriting assessments used for access arrangements and EHCP evidence.
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