Parents' guide to the Learners' Single Point of Access (L-SPA)

Parents and carers who are concerned about the development or learning needs of their child, can talk to their child's early years setting, school, GP or health visitor. They will discuss any concerns you have, tell you what they think, and explain what kind of support your child may need.

Our Learners' Single Point of Access (L-SPA) can also offer advice on how to access the most appropriate support for your child.

The L-SPA will give you access to information and support from a team of specialists, including:

  • occupational therapists
  • specialist teachers
  • qualified social worker
  • speech and language therapists
  • educational psychologists.

We are always delighted to speak to parents and carers. They can call the L-SPA on 0300 200 1015.

We are open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, all year round (except Bank Holidays) on 0300 200 1015.

If your child already has a named SEND case officer as a part of their EHC plan, you should contact the case officer directly.

How can I contact the L-SPA?

Parents, carers and young people can call the L-SPA on 0300 200 1015.

The L-SPA is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, all year round (except Bank Holidays).

When should I contact the L-SPA?

If you have a concern about the development and/or learning needs of a child in Surrey, the L-SPA can offer advice on how to access the most appropriate support for that child.

However, if your child already has a named SEND case officer as a part of their EHC plan, you should contact the case officer directly.

What support can I get from the L-SPA?

The L-SPA gives you direct access to information and advice from a multi-disciplinary team of professionals from education, health and social care including:

  • occupational therapists
  • specialist teachers
  • qualified social worker
  • speech and language therapists
  • educational psychologists.

They can help parents by giving their professional expertise to specific issues and giving families the right information and support at the right time.

Frequently Asked Questions

I want to get an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment, do I still need to contact the L-SPA?

Parents and carers who are considering making a request for an EHC needs assessment should contact the L-SPA on 0300 200 1015.

However, parents and carers also have the right to request an EHC needs assessment by writing to the Local Authority (Surrey County Council). For more information, including template letters, you can contact SEND Advice Surrey.

I am a young person, parent or carer. How can I request a Statutory Education, Health and Care needs assessment?

Most children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) are supported in mainstream early years settings, schools and colleges, without an EHC plan. Only children and young people with the most complex needs will require an EHC plan.

Speak to your child's school, college, nursery or early years setting about your concerns regarding your child's progress and development. They may be able to support your request for assessment or put in place other appropriate forms of support.

If you have already spoken to the school or setting, parents, carers and young people can request an assessment by completing the following form:

Once completed, please email the request form to:

If we decide to do an EHC needs assessment, we will let know first by a telephone call and will send a full written explanation within six weeks from the date of your request.

If you have any questions or issues accessing the form, please contact the L-SPA on 0300 200 1015.

You can also write to Surrey County Council and make a request for an EHC plan.

Surrey County Council have decided not to carry out an Education, Health and Care assessment for my child, what support can the L-SPA give us?

A Way Forward meeting is a meeting between families and SEND professionals to discuss how best to support a child with SEND when an EHC request has not been agreed.

The Way Forward meeting will be held as soon as possible after a decision not to assess has been made. We hope that they will offer a forum for everyone to work together to create a Way Forward Plan that supports the child to make progress and thrive.

Way Forward meetings are voluntary for parents and do not prevent them from accessing mediation or their right of appeal.