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More than 2.1 million pupils in UK schools have special educational or additional support needs — 1.86 million in England alone (January 2026) and around 300,000 in Scotland (2025). Four nations, four different systems, four different names for the plan that unlocks support. Here's how it all works.
Key facts
2.1M+
Pupils with identified SEN or ASN in England and Scotland alone
90%+
SEND Tribunal decisions in favour of parents (England)
4
Different names for the statutory plan
0
Cross-border portability of any plan
Plans don’t cross borders
An EHCP from England has zero legal force in Scotland, Wales, or NI. You must apply for a new plan in the new nation. Start before you move.
You can request assessment yourself
You do not need the school’s permission. In England, parents have the same legal right to request an assessment as the school.
Tribunals almost always side with parents
In England, around 98% of decided SEND Tribunal appeals are upheld in the parent’s favour, at least in part (MoJ Tribunals Statistics). Don’t be afraid to appeal. It’s free and you can represent yourself.
Each UK nation has its own legislation, terminology, and processes for supporting children with additional needs.
The same concept has different names in different nations. This table maps them.
| Concept | England | Wales | Scotland | N. Ireland |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall term | SEN (Special Educational Needs) | ALN (Additional Learning Needs) | ASN (Additional Support Needs) | SEN (Special Educational Needs) |
| Statutory plan | EHCP | IDP | CSP | Statement |
| School-level support | SEN Support | School-maintained IDP | ASN support | Stage 1–3 support |
| Co-ordinator role | SENCo | ALNCo | ASN teacher / PT ASN | SENCo |
| Parent partnership | SENDIASS | SNAP Cymru | Enquire | SENAC (independent); EA SEN helpline |
| Tribunal | SEND Tribunal | Education Tribunal for Wales | First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Health & Education Chamber) | SENDIST NI |
| Legislation | Children & Families Act 2014 | ALN Act 2018 | ASL Act 2004/2009 | Education Order 1996 |
The statutory 20-week timeline from request to final plan. Each step includes your rights and what to watch for.
England's SEND reforms are proposals, not law
The February 2026 schools white paper and the government's SEND reform consultation propose changes to England's system, but nothing has changed in law: the process below still applies. The government says there will be no change to support received through EHCPs before at least September 2030, and that families will keep the right to appeal to the Tribunal. See the white paper on GOV.UK and the House of Commons Library briefing CBP-10550.
Request an assessment
Who: You, the school, or a professional (GP, health visitor, etc.)
Write to the LA requesting an Education, Health and Care needs assessment. Include evidence of SEN and why current support isn’t enough.
Timeline: The LA has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess.
Tip: Put your request in writing (email is fine). Keep a copy. If the school won’t request, you can do it yourself — parents have the same right as schools.
LA decides whether to assess
Who: The LA’s SEN team
They review evidence and decide if an assessment is needed. If they refuse, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Timeline: Decision within 6 weeks of your request.
Tip: Around 1 in 4 requests are refused at this stage (26.6% in 2025, DfE). If refused, the LA must give reasons in writing. You have 2 months to appeal.
Assessment
Who: Educational psychologist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, paediatrician — as needed
Professionals assess your child and write reports. You contribute your own views (called the "parental advice"). Your child’s views are also sought.
Timeline: Assessments happen between weeks 6–16.
Tip: Your parental advice is a legal document. Be specific: describe daily struggles, what support works, what doesn’t. Include evidence (reports, photos, videos).
LA decides whether to issue a plan
Who: The LA’s SEN panel
Based on the assessment reports, they decide whether to issue an EHCP. If they refuse, you can appeal.
Timeline: Decision within 16 weeks of the original request.
Tip: Around 5–10% of assessments don’t result in a plan. Again, you can appeal. The SEND Tribunal upholds around 98% of appeals that reach a hearing (MoJ Tribunals Statistics).
Draft plan issued
Who: LA SEN team
You receive a draft EHCP. You have 15 days to comment and request changes. This is when you name your preferred school.
Timeline: Draft issued within 16 weeks.
Tip: Read every section carefully. Check that the provision is specific and quantified (e.g., "2 hours per week of speech therapy" not "regular speech therapy"). Vague wording is unenforceable.
Final plan
Who: LA SEN team
The LA consults your preferred school, considers your comments, and issues the final EHCP. The named school must admit your child.
Timeline: Final plan within 20 weeks of original request.
Tip: If the LA names a different school, or the plan doesn’t include the provision you need, you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Annual review
Who: School, with LA, parents, and professionals
The EHCP must be reviewed at least annually. The school organises the meeting. You can request amendments at any time.
Timeline: Every 12 months, plus at phase transfers (e.g., primary to secondary).
Tip: Attend every review. If the plan isn’t being delivered, raise it here. If the LA refuses to amend, you can appeal.
Track your EHCP journey step by step.
These rights are enshrined in law. Schools and LAs cannot override them, though some try.
Request an assessment
England — other nations differIn England, any parent can request an EHC needs assessment. The school does not need to agree or refer first. Write directly to the LA. Elsewhere: in Wales, raise it with the school (or the local authority), which must then decide whether your child has ALN; in Scotland, ask the council to assess (a refusal cannot be appealed to the tribunal); in Northern Ireland, ask the Education Authority for a statutory assessment.
Name your preferred school
England — other nations differIn England, you can ask for a particular school to be named in the EHCP. If it is a state-funded school or college, a non-maintained special school, or an independent special school on the Section 41 list, the LA must name it unless it is unsuitable for your child’s age, ability, aptitude or SEN, or incompatible with the efficient education of others or the efficient use of resources. A school named in the plan must admit your child. Elsewhere: in Wales there is no parental-preference duty, and only an IDP maintained by the local authority can name a school; in Scotland you make a placing request (not possible for a mainstream independent school), and a refusal can be appealed; in Northern Ireland the Statement names the school.
Appeal to a tribunal
All nations (different tribunals)In England, if the LA refuses to assess, refuses to issue a plan, or names a school you disagree with, you can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (SEND), which finds at least partly for the family in around 98% of the appeals it decides (MoJ data). Wales: the Education Tribunal for Wales (8 weeks to appeal; a school’s decision goes to the local authority to reconsider first). Scotland: the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Health and Education Chamber) hears CSP matters and refused placing requests for special schools, but not a refusal to assess. Northern Ireland: SENDIST.
Mediation first (if you choose)
EnglandBefore appealing, you must contact a mediation service (free) — unless your appeal is only about the school or placement named in the plan. You can decline mediation after the initial call — it’s not compulsory to mediate, just to make contact.
Personal budgets
EnglandYou can request a personal budget to control how some of the provision in the EHCP is delivered. This gives you more flexibility over therapies, equipment, etc.
Choose mainstream or special
All nationsThe default is mainstream inclusion. But you can request a special school if that’s better for your child. The council (the Education Authority in Northern Ireland) must consider your wishes.
Access your child’s records
All nationsYou have the right to see all professional reports, assessments, and the LA’s internal documents about your child (subject to data protection).
IPSEA and advocacy support
All nations (different services)In England, free services (IPSEA, SOS SEN, your local SENDIASS) offer legal advice and help with appeals, and some can accompany you to meetings and tribunals. In Wales, SNAP Cymru; in Scotland, Enquire and Let’s Talk ASN; in Northern Ireland, SENAC and the Education Authority’s SEN helpline.
Find schools that match your child's needs
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Tribunals sound intimidating but they are designed to be accessible to parents. Here's how the process works in England. The other nations have their own tribunals and rules, summarised after the list.
Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Wales: appeals go to the Education Tribunal for Wales, and the time limit is 8 weeks. If a school made the decision, ask the local authority to reconsider it first. Scotland: the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland (Health and Education Chamber) hears CSP matters and refused placing requests for special schools; other refused placing requests go to an education appeal committee and then the sheriff. A refusal to assess cannot be taken to the tribunal. Northern Ireland: appeals about statutory assessments and Statements go to SENDIST.
Free support organisations
IPSEA (England) — free legal advice and tribunal support. SENDIASS (England) — every local authority must provide a free information, advice, and support service. SOS SEN (England) — volunteers who help with appeals. SNAP Cymru (Wales) — free advocacy and advice. Enquire (Scotland) — national advice service for ASN. SENAC (Northern Ireland) — independent SEN advice; the Education Authority also runs a SEN helpline and a Dispute Avoidance and Resolution Service.
Sources
This guide draws on the Children and Families Act 2014, the SEND Code of Practice 2015, the ALN Act (Wales) 2018, the ALN Code for Wales 2021, the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004, the Education (NI) Order 1996, SEND Tribunal annual reports, IPSEA guidance, and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman annual review. This guide is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex cases, consider seeking advice from IPSEA, Coram Children’s Legal Centre or your local SENDIASS in England; SNAP Cymru in Wales; Enquire in Scotland; SENAC in Northern Ireland; or a solicitor. Last reviewed September 2026.
Statute, statutory code, and the leading UK SEND legal-advice and sector bodies.
Last reviewed by School Atlas editors: 2026. Sources are publicly published guidance, statute, or statutory codes. We do not duplicate copyrighted material — links open at the source.
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