Understanding the EHCP Process

A Parent's Guide

The Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process can feel overwhelming. This guide explains each stage in plain English, so you know what to expect and what your rights are.

The Process, Step by Step

The entire EHCP process should take no more than 20 weeks from your initial request to the final plan being issued. Here is what happens at each stage.

Week 0Step 1 of 6

Requesting an Assessment

Who can request: you, your child’s school, or a professional involved in your child’s care.
How: write to your local authority’s SEND team. You can do this at any time — you do not need the school’s permission.
What to include: a description of your child’s difficulties, the support they currently receive, and why you believe they need more help.
The local authority must respond within 6 weeks of receiving your request.

Week 6Step 2 of 6

Decision to Assess

The local authority decides whether to carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.
They must consider: does your child have or may have Special Educational Needs (SEN)? Is special educational provision needed beyond what the school can provide?
If refused: you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. The decision letter must explain how to do this.
If agreed: the assessment process begins.

Weeks 6–16Step 3 of 6

EHC Needs Assessment

Evidence is gathered from: parents, school staff (including the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, social care, and health professionals.
You can — and should — submit your own evidence about your child’s needs and what works for them.
Your child may be assessed at school or at a specialist centre, depending on the type of assessment.

Week 16Step 4 of 6

Draft EHCP

The local authority sends you a draft Education, Health and Care Plan.
You have 15 calendar days to read it, comment on it, and request changes.
This is the stage where you name your preferred school. You can request any maintained school, academy, free school, or independent special school.
The local authority must consult with the school you name before making a decision.

Tip: Take time to read the draft carefully. You can ask for amendments before the plan is finalised.

Week 20Step 5 of 6

Final EHCP

The local authority issues the final Education, Health and Care Plan.
The plan sets out: your child’s needs, the outcomes they should achieve, the provision that must be made, and the school placement.
If you disagree with the final plan: you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal within 2 months of receiving it.
The school named in the plan must accept your child, with limited exceptions.

OngoingStep 6 of 6

Annual Review

Education, Health and Care Plans must be reviewed at least once a year.
You can request amendments to the plan at any time if your child’s needs change.
The plan continues until your child reaches age 25, or until the outcomes set out in the plan have been achieved.
Reviews should involve you, your child (where appropriate), the school, and any relevant professionals.

Your Rights

The Children and Families Act 2014 gives you specific legal rights throughout the EHCP process. Understanding these rights helps you advocate effectively for your child.

Equivalent Systems Across the UK

The EHCP process described above applies to England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have their own systems for supporting children with additional needs.

Wales — Additional Learning Needs (ALN) & Individual Development Plans (IDPs)

The Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system replaced SEN Statements in Wales beginning in 2021 under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.

Individual Development Plans (IDPs) replace Statements and EHCPs as the single statutory plan for learners aged 0 to 25.
For most children, the IDP is maintained by the school rather than the local authority, putting decisions closer to the child.
Where you disagree with decisions, resolution is available through the Education Tribunal for Wales.

Useful Organisations

These independent organisations provide free advice, support, and advocacy for families navigating the EHCP process and wider SEND system.

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

Contact

For families with disabled children

Council for Disabled Children

National body for disabled children and those with SEN

National Autistic Society

Support and information for autistic people and families

SENDIASS

Free, impartial SEND advice for parents and young people

Gov.uk SEND Guide

Official government guide to SEND support

SOS!SEN

Help with SEND Tribunal appeals and casework

Disability Rights UK

Leading charity for disability rights and independent living

Family Fund

Grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children

Back to SEND overview

Understanding the EHCP Process

A Parent's Guide

The Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process can feel overwhelming. This guide explains each stage in plain English, so you know what to expect and what your rights are.

The Process, Step by Step

The entire EHCP process should take no more than 20 weeks from your initial request to the final plan being issued. Here is what happens at each stage.

Week 0Step 1 of 6

Requesting an Assessment

Who can request: you, your child’s school, or a professional involved in your child’s care.
How: write to your local authority’s SEND team. You can do this at any time — you do not need the school’s permission.
What to include: a description of your child’s difficulties, the support they currently receive, and why you believe they need more help.
The local authority must respond within 6 weeks of receiving your request.

Week 6Step 2 of 6

Decision to Assess

The local authority decides whether to carry out an Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessment.
They must consider: does your child have or may have Special Educational Needs (SEN)? Is special educational provision needed beyond what the school can provide?
If refused: you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal. The decision letter must explain how to do this.
If agreed: the assessment process begins.

Weeks 6–16Step 3 of 6

EHC Needs Assessment

Evidence is gathered from: parents, school staff (including the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator), educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist, social care, and health professionals.
You can — and should — submit your own evidence about your child’s needs and what works for them.
Your child may be assessed at school or at a specialist centre, depending on the type of assessment.

Week 16Step 4 of 6

Draft EHCP

The local authority sends you a draft Education, Health and Care Plan.
You have 15 calendar days to read it, comment on it, and request changes.
This is the stage where you name your preferred school. You can request any maintained school, academy, free school, or independent special school.
The local authority must consult with the school you name before making a decision.

Tip: Take time to read the draft carefully. You can ask for amendments before the plan is finalised.

Week 20Step 5 of 6

Final EHCP

The local authority issues the final Education, Health and Care Plan.
The plan sets out: your child’s needs, the outcomes they should achieve, the provision that must be made, and the school placement.
If you disagree with the final plan: you can appeal to the SEND Tribunal within 2 months of receiving it.
The school named in the plan must accept your child, with limited exceptions.

OngoingStep 6 of 6

Annual Review

Education, Health and Care Plans must be reviewed at least once a year.
You can request amendments to the plan at any time if your child’s needs change.
The plan continues until your child reaches age 25, or until the outcomes set out in the plan have been achieved.
Reviews should involve you, your child (where appropriate), the school, and any relevant professionals.

Your Rights

The Children and Families Act 2014 gives you specific legal rights throughout the EHCP process. Understanding these rights helps you advocate effectively for your child.

Equivalent Systems Across the UK

The EHCP process described above applies to England. Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland each have their own systems for supporting children with additional needs.

Wales — Additional Learning Needs (ALN) & Individual Development Plans (IDPs)

The Additional Learning Needs (ALN) system replaced SEN Statements in Wales beginning in 2021 under the Additional Learning Needs and Education Tribunal (Wales) Act 2018.

Individual Development Plans (IDPs) replace Statements and EHCPs as the single statutory plan for learners aged 0 to 25.
For most children, the IDP is maintained by the school rather than the local authority, putting decisions closer to the child.
Where you disagree with decisions, resolution is available through the Education Tribunal for Wales.

Useful Organisations

These independent organisations provide free advice, support, and advocacy for families navigating the EHCP process and wider SEND system.

IPSEA

Independent Provider of Special Education Advice

Contact

For families with disabled children

Council for Disabled Children

National body for disabled children and those with SEN

National Autistic Society

Support and information for autistic people and families

SENDIASS

Free, impartial SEND advice for parents and young people

Gov.uk SEND Guide

Official government guide to SEND support

SOS!SEN

Help with SEND Tribunal appeals and casework

Disability Rights UK

Leading charity for disability rights and independent living

Family Fund

Grants for families raising disabled or seriously ill children

Back to SEND overview

Understanding the EHCP Process

The Process, Step by Step

Requesting an Assessment

Decision to Assess

EHC Needs Assessment

Draft EHCP

Final EHCP

Annual Review

Your Rights

Right to request assessment at any age (0–25)

Right to express a preference for any school

Right to a personal budget

Right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal (free)

Right to mediation before tribunal

Right to be involved in all decisions

Equivalent Systems Across the UK

Useful Organisations

Understanding the EHCP Process

The Process, Step by Step

Requesting an Assessment

Decision to Assess

EHC Needs Assessment

Draft EHCP

Final EHCP

Annual Review

Your Rights

Right to request assessment at any age (0–25)

Right to express a preference for any school

Right to a personal budget

Right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal (free)

Right to mediation before tribunal

Right to be involved in all decisions

Equivalent Systems Across the UK

Useful Organisations