Referrals and EHCPs

Referrals

Sometimes, a student might need further assessment by a medical professional, for example if parents or the school think their child may have conditions like ADHD. While the SEND team at KGGS supports families through this process, it’s important to know that we cannot diagnose medical conditions.

A student does not need a diagnosis to receive academic support.

The process for medical referrals depends on where you live, as it follows your home postcode. For example, if your child lives in an area with a Lincolnshire postcode (like NG31), the referral will go through Lincolnshire County Council.

Here’s the usual pathway for a neurodiversity assessment through the NHS:

  1. Speak to your child’s GP if you have concerns.
  2. The GP will record these concerns and may ask you to contact the school.
  3. The school will gather evidence to support the referral.
  4. The school will submit an application to the NHS for a referral to a Paediatrician on your behalf.
  5. The NHS will decide whether to accept or decline the referral.
  6. If accepted, your child will be placed on a waiting list to be assessed.


If the referral is declined, the NHS will explain why and what steps you can take next. You can request another referral later, but usually more evidence is needed.

Please note: In 2025, Nottinghamshire NHS published waiting times over 20 months, Lincolnshire NHS in comparison published waiting times of over 12 months.

The school’s role is to help gather evidence and complete referral applications, working closely with you at every step. We will always get your permission before submitting any referral. However, the NHS is responsible for making the decision about whether your child will be seen by a medical professional.

Private referrals

We are unable to recommend or direct you to any specific private assessment services. Many private referrals can be costly, and the quality of these services can vary. We strongly encourage you to research any private providers carefully before making a decision.

Remember, your child does not need a medical diagnosis to receive support at school.

Having a medical diagnosis does not automatically guarantee extra exam support or access arrangements. Additionally, JCQ do not accept private referral diagnoses as evidence for Extra Time.

If your child has a diagnosis, our SENDCo team will still need to gather evidence about how your child usually works and what support they need day-to-day before applying for any exam accommodations. Access arrangements are only granted if they help remove barriers to your child’s achievement.

If your child does not require any specific access arrangements to succeed in exams, then the school will not apply for them. We review each student’s needs individually to make sure the right support is provided.

The same process applies to EHCPs — having an EHCP does not automatically mean your child will receive exam access arrangements. Evidence about your child’s usual way of working and their specific needs must be collected before any application can be made.

EHCPs:

Education, Health Care Plans (EHCPs) EHCPs are reserved for those students aged up to 25, whose needs or learning difficulties are so significant their needs cannot be met through the school’s OAP. EHC plans identify educational, health and social needs and set out the additional support to meet those needs. They are legally binding and follow the young person through their educational journey here at KGGS and beyond to Higher Education.

EHCPs require a multi-agency approach and often the student has already had input from external services such as CAMHS, Healthy Minds, and/or have an existing diagnosis and learning difficulty.

The SEND Dept. here at KGGS can apply for an EHCP for a student if we find we cannot currently meet their needs through our OAP. At this point, we should already be in conversation with you about your child and they should have already begun the Graduated Approach. We welcome open and honest conversation with parents to effectively meet the needs of their children. Whilst you can apply for an EHCP yourself through the County Council website, we advise that the school makes the application due to the level of detail and evidence required to be successful.

Applications for EHCPs are lengthy due to the amount of evidence and information required. Sometimes this can be up to a year, as evidence is gathered and processed. If accepted, there are further meetings to negotiate the targets and support required. We will support you at every step.