EHCP Guidance Hub

What Is An EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document written by your local authority. It describes a child or young person's needs, the support they must receive, and the outcomes that support is working towards.

• An EHCP is legally binding: the support written into Section F must be delivered, not offered when convenient.
• It is for children and young people whose needs cannot reasonably be met through the support a school normally provides.
• It can run from birth to age 25 where the young person remains in education or training.
• An EHCP is not a label or a last resort — it is a plan that makes support enforceable.

Who Can Have An EHCP?

There is no diagnosis or condition that automatically gives — or refuses — an EHCP. The test is need: does this child or young person need more support than a setting can provide from its usual resources?

• Children in early years, school and college can all have an EHCP, as can young people up to age 25 in education or training.
• A diagnosis is helpful evidence but is never a requirement.
• Needs can be educational, health-related, social, communication-based, sensory or a mix of several.
• Anxiety-based school absence, unmet sensory needs and lost learning are all relevant evidence.

Requesting An EHCP Assessment

Anyone with parental responsibility can ask their local authority for an EHC needs assessment. So can a young person over 16, a school, a college or a health professional. You do not need the school's permission.

• Put your request in writing to the local authority SEN team and keep a dated copy.
• Explain what has been tried, what has not worked, and the impact on learning and wellbeing.
• Attach evidence: reports, letters, attendance records, examples of work, your own notes.
• The local authority must reply within six weeks to say whether it will assess.
• If a school says 'they won't agree to it', you can still request the assessment yourself.

EHCP Assessment Process

The statutory process has clear deadlines. Knowing them makes it much easier to ask for progress at the right moment.

• Weeks 0–6: the local authority decides whether to carry out an assessment.
• Weeks 6–16: advice is gathered from you, the setting, educational psychology, health and social care.
• By week 20: the final EHCP must be issued, or you must be told a plan will not be issued.
• You will receive a draft plan and have at least 15 days to comment and to name a preferred setting.
• Your views and your child's views are a required part of the evidence, not an optional extra.

Understanding The EHCP Document

Every EHCP uses the same lettered sections. Reading it section by section makes it far easier to spot what is missing.

• Section A: the views, interests and aspirations of your child and family.
• Section B: special educational needs — every need should be described here.
• Section E: the outcomes the support is working towards.
• Section F: the special educational provision — this must be specific, quantified and enforceable.
• Sections C, D, G and H: health and social care needs and provision.
• Section I: the named setting. Section J: any personal budget.
• Watch for vague wording such as 'access to' or 'as appropriate' — ask for who, what, how often and for how long.

Annual Reviews

An EHCP must be reviewed at least every 12 months — and within six months for children under five. The review is your regular, formal opportunity to change the plan.

• You should receive paperwork in advance and can submit your own written views.
• The review checks progress towards outcomes and whether provision still meets need.
• After the review the local authority must tell you whether it will keep, amend or cease the plan.
• You can request an early review at any time if needs change or support breaks down.
• Amendments must be issued within a set timescale — ask for dates in writing.

What If An EHCP Is Refused?

A refusal is not the end of the road. Many decisions are overturned, and you have formal rights of appeal at every stage.

• You can appeal a refusal to assess, a refusal to issue a plan, the content of Sections B, F and I, and a decision to cease a plan.
• You must consider mediation first and will be issued a mediation certificate; you do not have to attend mediation itself.
• Appeals go to the SEND Tribunal, normally within two months of the decision letter.
• Ask for the reasons in writing — refusals sometimes rest on evidence gaps you can fill.
• Support in the meantime should continue through SEN Support; a refusal does not remove the school's duties.

Preparing For Adulthood

From Year 9, every annual review must focus on preparing for adulthood: employment, independent living, health and community. Planning early makes transitions far calmer.

• Outcomes should look towards paid work, further education, independence and friendships — not just school targets.
• An EHCP can continue in college, sixth form or an apprenticeship up to age 25 where education is still needed.
• Explore supported internships, work experience and travel training well before the final year.
• Adult social care, health and benefits pathways should be discussed at review, not left to chance.
• Young people over 16 take decisions themselves where they have capacity — support them to lead their own plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does an EHCP take?

The statutory timescale from request to final plan is 20 weeks. In practice many local authorities take longer, so keep a written record of dates and chase politely but persistently.

Do we need a diagnosis to get an EHCP?

No. EHCPs are based on need and the support required, not on a diagnosis. A diagnosis can be useful supporting evidence, but it is never a requirement.

Can a school refuse to apply for an EHCP?

A school can decline to make the request, but you can request an EHC needs assessment directly from your local authority yourself. You do not need the school's agreement.

Does an EHCP mean a special school?

No. Most children with an EHCP are educated in mainstream settings. You can name a preferred setting and the plan should describe the support needed wherever your child attends.

What happens to the EHCP at 16 or 18?

It can continue up to age 25 while the young person remains in education or training and still needs the support. Reviews from Year 9 onwards focus on preparing for adulthood.

The plan is agreed but the support isn't happening — what now?

Section F provision is a legal duty. Raise it in writing with the setting, then the local authority, and ask for an early review. Advocacy support can help you escalate.