Understanding EHCPs

The Education, Health and Care Plan is one of the most important, and most misunderstood, parts of the SEND system. Here it is in plain English.

What an EHCP is

An EHCP is a legal document, maintained by your local authority, for children and young people up to 25 whose needs cannot be met by SEN Support alone. It sets out their needs, the outcomes they are working towards, and the support the authority must provide, by law.

How to ask for one

A parent, a school, or a young person aged 16 or over can request an EHC needs assessment in writing. You do not need the school's permission to request one yourself.

The 20-week timeline

• By week 6: the local authority must decide whether to assess.
• By week 16: having assessed, it must decide whether to issue a plan.
• By week 20: the final plan must be issued. Waiting lists and staff shortages are not lawful reasons to go over these.

The sections that matter most

Read Section B (your child's needs) and Section F (the support) closely. Section F should be specific and quantified, who provides the support, how often, and for how long. Vague wording is hard to enforce. Section I names the school.

If you are refused, or unhappy

You can appeal to the SEND Tribunal against a refusal to assess, a refusal to issue a plan, and the content of the plan. You will usually contact a mediation adviser first. Many appeals succeed, so do not be put off.

Keeping it right

The plan is reviewed at least once a year, and every six months for children under five, at an annual review, so it keeps pace as your child grows.