EHCP Guide
Considering an EHCP?
If you're wondering whether your child may need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it can be difficult to know where to start. This guide provides clear, practical information about the process and the steps you can take.
Your pathway
Where to Start
If you are wondering whether an EHCP may be relevant for your child, this pathway sets out what to consider.
What this might mean
- An EHCP is a legal document describing a child's special educational needs, outcomes and provision.
- It may be relevant where needs cannot reasonably be met through the support ordinarily available.
- A diagnosis alone does not decide whether an EHCP is needed.
What you can do
- Talk to your child's school about the support already in place and its impact.
- Ask whether the school is considering requesting an EHC needs assessment.
- Consider seeking further advice from your local SEND information, advice and support service.
What to think about / record
- Reports, assessments and letters from school and professionals.
- Examples of the barriers your child experiences in education.
- Support tried so far, and what difference it has made.
Who you can talk to
- The school SENCo.
- Professionals already working with your child.
- Your local authority's SEND information, advice and support service.
What to do next
- Read the Free SEND Starter Pack section on EHC needs assessment.
- If your child already has a plan, read about annual reviews and provision.
This is general information to help you think about next steps. It is not legal advice, and every child's situation is different — where appropriate, consider seeking further advice.
What is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational needs, the outcomes they should work towards and the special educational provision required to support them.
When might an EHCP be appropriate?
An EHCP may be appropriate where a child or young person's special educational needs cannot reasonably be met through the support normally available in a mainstream setting.
Important note
An EHCP is not based on a diagnosis alone. The important question is whether your child's special educational needs require provision beyond what can reasonably be provided through ordinarily available support.
The assessment
What Is an EHC Needs Assessment?
- An EHC needs assessment is the process a local authority uses to find out whether a child may need special educational provision through an EHCP.
- A request can usually be made by the school or setting, by a parent or carer, or by a young person over 16.
- The local authority gathers advice from education, health and, where relevant, social care professionals.
- An assessment does not always lead to an EHCP — the local authority may decide that needs can be met through support ordinarily available.
The process
The EHCP Journey
Identify your child's needs
Gather information about your child's strengths, needs and the barriers they experience in education.
Understand the support already being provided
Consider what support has been tried, what difference it has made and what further provision may be needed.
Consider an EHC needs assessment
An assessment can help determine whether your child may require special educational provision through an EHCP.
Assessment and advice
If an assessment is agreed, the local authority gathers advice from education, health and other relevant professionals.
Decision about an EHCP
Following the assessment, the local authority decides whether an EHCP is necessary and, if so, what provision and outcomes should be included.
Preparation
Information You May Wish to Gather
Bringing information together in one place can make conversations with school and the local authority easier.
- School reports, individual plans and records of support already provided.
- Reports or letters from health or other professionals involved with your child.
- Examples of the barriers your child experiences in learning, communication, wellbeing or attendance.
- Notes of meetings, including what was agreed and by when.
- Your child's own views about what helps and what they find harder.
Working together
Working With School
Schools are usually the starting point. A shared understanding of your child's needs can help whatever the next step turns out to be.
Share what you have noticed
Describe what you see at home and ask what staff see in school, so the picture is as complete as possible.
Understand what is already in place
Ask what support is being provided, how often, by whom and what difference it has made.
Agree what happens next
Where appropriate, agree what will be tried, how it will be recorded and when it will be reviewed.
Discuss an assessment request
Ask whether school considers an EHC needs assessment may be appropriate, and what evidence would support a request.
Take action
What Can Parents Do Now?
- Keep copies of important reports and assessments.
- Record examples of how your child's needs affect their learning, communication, wellbeing or access to education.
- Keep a record of support already tried and the impact it has had.
- Talk to your child's school or setting about your concerns.
- Ask what further support or assessment may be appropriate.
- Keep notes of important meetings and conversations.
Next step
Start With the Free SEND Starter Pack
A 24-page, plain-English guide for parents and carers who aren't sure what to do next — including sections on EHC needs assessment, preparing for meetings and planning next steps.
Need More Help?
Understanding the EHCP process is one thing. Knowing what your child's individual circumstances mean for the next step can be more difficult.
This page is general information, not legal advice. It does not mean that every child with SEND needs an EHCP, or that an EHCP will be granted.