FREE Canary SEND Toolkit: Your EHC Needs Assessment (2026 Edition): Guide, Views Template and Letters
Once the council agrees to carry out an EHC needs assessment, the next few months matter a lot. The advice gathered now shapes what goes into an EHCP. Yet many families aren’t told what should happen, what they can ask for, or how to share their child’s story in a way that leads to the right support.
This free toolkit is for families whose request has been agreed. It explains what the law says about the assessment and helps you take an active part in it, from the first email to your caseworker to checking the reports that come back.
New for October 2026. This replaces my earlier parent carer views guide. It keeps the neuroaffirming approach and adds much more. It also explains what the Government’s proposed SEND reforms could mean. They are still proposals, and an assessment happening now follows today’s law.
What’s inside
1. The guide (PDF, 26 pages)
A plain-English guide you can read in order or dip into. Every page starts with an “In short” box. It covers:
Your first steps once the council says yes
Who the council must ask for advice, and the legal timescales (including some common myths)
Preparing for the educational psychologist, the appointment, and checking the report
Asking for other advice, such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy
What to do when a service says your child is “not known” to them
Writing your views with accuracy and dignity, and including your child’s voice
Keeping placement decisions needs-led
What to do if things stall, and what happens when the assessment ends
A checklist, a glossary and where to find free support
2. Parent carer views and evidence template (Word)
An editable template with guidance boxes. It has a one-page profile, a fuller evidence document organised around the four areas of need, and notes to send the EP before their visit.
3. Letters and emails pack (Word)
Four editable letters:
Confirming the decision and asking what advice has been requested
Asking the council to get advice from another professional
Following up after the EP’s visit
Chasing a delay and asking for a plan to finish on time
Format: PDF guide + 2 Word documents (.docx), in one ZIP file
Best for: families whose request for an EHC needs assessment has been agreed
Free, and based on the law as it stands today.
How to download
When you check out, you’ll be asked for your name, email address and address. Squarespace’s checkout requires an address even for free downloads. I don’t use it for anything other than keeping a record of your order. You’ll also be asked to tick a box confirming the toolkit is for your own family or personal use.
Once you’ve checked out, your download links will appear on the next page. You’ll also get two emails: one confirming your order, and one with your download links. The links expire after 24 hours, but clicking an expired link will send you a new one. If the emails don’t arrive, please check your spam or junk folder first. If you still have any problems, get in touch at info@canary-send.co.uk.
Free for families and individuals. Professionals and organisations, please get in touch before using them.
Once the council agrees to carry out an EHC needs assessment, the next few months matter a lot. The advice gathered now shapes what goes into an EHCP. Yet many families aren’t told what should happen, what they can ask for, or how to share their child’s story in a way that leads to the right support.
This free toolkit is for families whose request has been agreed. It explains what the law says about the assessment and helps you take an active part in it, from the first email to your caseworker to checking the reports that come back.
New for October 2026. This replaces my earlier parent carer views guide. It keeps the neuroaffirming approach and adds much more. It also explains what the Government’s proposed SEND reforms could mean. They are still proposals, and an assessment happening now follows today’s law.
What’s inside
1. The guide (PDF, 26 pages)
A plain-English guide you can read in order or dip into. Every page starts with an “In short” box. It covers:
Your first steps once the council says yes
Who the council must ask for advice, and the legal timescales (including some common myths)
Preparing for the educational psychologist, the appointment, and checking the report
Asking for other advice, such as speech and language therapy or occupational therapy
What to do when a service says your child is “not known” to them
Writing your views with accuracy and dignity, and including your child’s voice
Keeping placement decisions needs-led
What to do if things stall, and what happens when the assessment ends
A checklist, a glossary and where to find free support
2. Parent carer views and evidence template (Word)
An editable template with guidance boxes. It has a one-page profile, a fuller evidence document organised around the four areas of need, and notes to send the EP before their visit.
3. Letters and emails pack (Word)
Four editable letters:
Confirming the decision and asking what advice has been requested
Asking the council to get advice from another professional
Following up after the EP’s visit
Chasing a delay and asking for a plan to finish on time
Format: PDF guide + 2 Word documents (.docx), in one ZIP file
Best for: families whose request for an EHC needs assessment has been agreed
Free, and based on the law as it stands today.
How to download
When you check out, you’ll be asked for your name, email address and address. Squarespace’s checkout requires an address even for free downloads. I don’t use it for anything other than keeping a record of your order. You’ll also be asked to tick a box confirming the toolkit is for your own family or personal use.
Once you’ve checked out, your download links will appear on the next page. You’ll also get two emails: one confirming your order, and one with your download links. The links expire after 24 hours, but clicking an expired link will send you a new one. If the emails don’t arrive, please check your spam or junk folder first. If you still have any problems, get in touch at info@canary-send.co.uk.
Free for families and individuals. Professionals and organisations, please get in touch before using them.