The Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
A legally binding document for children and young people aged 0–25 in England that sets out their special educational needs, the support they should get, and who pays for it. It covers education, health and social care in one plan.
SEN support first
Most children with special educational needs get help through SEN support at their school or nursery — the school's "graduated approach" of assess, plan, do, review. This is funded from the school's own budget and doesn't need an EHCP.
When to consider an EHCP
An EHCP is for children whose needs can't be met through SEN support alone — for example, when progress has stalled, when the school says it can't fund the level of support needed, or when your child needs a place at a specialist setting. Around 5% of children in England have an EHCP; your child doesn't need a "severe" diagnosis to qualify — it's about whether their needs need provision beyond what the school can provide.
Who can ask for an assessment?
- You, as a parent or carer, can request an EHC needs assessment in writing from your local authority (LA) at any time — you don't need the school's agreement.
- The school or nursery can also request one.
- A young person aged 16–25 can request one themselves.
The LA must decide within 6 weeks whether to carry out the assessment. They cannot refuse just because the school hasn't asked, or because your child "only" has SEN support. If they refuse, you can challenge it (see appeals).
The process — a maximum of 20 weeks
By law, the whole journey from assessment request to final plan must take no more than 20 weeks (occasionally a little longer if the LA can justify it).
- Week 0
Request made. You (or the school) send a written request for an EHC needs assessment to the local authority. - By week 6
Decision on assessment. The LA must tell you whether they'll carry out the assessment — and give reasons if not. - Weeks 6–16
Assessment. The LA gathers advice from you, the school, an educational psychologist, health (e.g. paediatrician or CAMHS) and social care. You can also send your own evidence and reports. - By week 16
Decision on the plan. The LA decides whether to issue an EHCP. If not, they must tell you and explain how to challenge it. - Weeks 16–20
Draft plan & final plan. You get a draft to comment on — you have 15 calendar days to give comments and request a specific school or setting. The LA must consider your views. - By week 20
Final plan issued. The EHCP names the school or setting, lists outcomes, and sets out the support and funding needed.
What goes inside an EHCP
Plans are divided into lettered sections (A–K). In plain terms, the plan covers:
- Your views and your child's views (Section A)
- The needs — education, health and social care needs (Sections B, C, D)
- The outcomes — what the plan wants your child to achieve (Section E)
- The provision — exactly what support will be given, by whom, how much and how often (Sections F, G, H)
- The placement — the named school or setting (Section I)
- Personal budget arrangements and other information (Sections J, K)
Specificity matters: good plans say "1:1 support from a trained teaching assistant for X hours per week", not just "support as needed".
After the plan: annual reviews
The LA must review the plan at least once a year (and sooner if asked). Reviews look at progress towards outcomes and whether the plan still meets your child's needs. You can ask for a review or a re-assessment at any time if circumstances change. Plans can continue up to age 25.
Refused or unhappy? You have rights
- Mediation. Before most appeals you're asked to consider mediation with the LA (free and independent). You can also just ask for the mediation information and go straight to appeal.
- Appeal to the SEND Tribunal. You can appeal to the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) if the LA refuses an assessment, refuses a plan, or you disagree with the plan's contents (including the school named). You must appeal within 2 months of the LA's decision letter.
- Health and social care in the appeal. Since 2018 you can also appeal the health and social care parts of a plan — so a refused or reduced therapy package can be challenged too.
Get free legal-strength help
IPSEA provides free, expert legal advice on EHCPs and SEND law and has template request letters. Contact runs a SEND helpline for parents (0808 808 3555). Your local SENDIASS service gives free, impartial information and support.
Different parts of the UK
| Nation | Equivalent document |
|---|---|
| England | Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) |
| Wales | Individual Development Plan (IDP) — the Welsh system replaced Statements from 2021 |
| Scotland | Co-ordinated Support Plan (CSP) — a different, narrower process; most support comes through school provision |
| Northern Ireland | Statement of Special Educational Needs |
This page describes the English EHCP system. If you're elsewhere in the UK, the charities above and your local parents' groups can point you to the right process for your nation.