Assessment - Statutory Deadline & insufficient time
We've agreed to assess for an EHCP but are being challenged by the parent re the assessment. They are asking for the qualifications of the assessors and stating that the SALT is not qualified to assess.
They are stating that the time frame is so tight that even with consent we may not be able to meet the statutory deadline. Is it appropriate to use the statutory deadlines to state that there is insufficient time now to assess and we must make a decision on the information we've already got?
Not sure if the parents are going to provide private reports prior to panel. As above, the parents are putting barriers up before a decision is made - they are pre-empting that we are not going to issue. What would you suggest that we do? This seems to be an ongoing issue. They want to be able to pick who does the assessment.
The statutory assessment is for you to do - to the extent the parents are not happy with it, they can appeal the decision that follows it (i.e. not to issue or the EHC plan that you do issue). Where their actions are making it difficult to comply with the statutory timetable I think you have a choice between doing what you can before the deadline or getting it done properly and missing the deadline. In general terms I would say that getting it done properly is more important and missing the deadline by a short period is unlikely to matter that much or have any particular consequence, but if you feel you are heading to tribunal anyway and/or the delay is likely to be significant, then the balance might tip in favour of making your decision based on the information you already have. What you judge to be the child's best interests is likely to be decisive.