The EHCP Process Explained
A plain-language overview of the Education, Health and Care Plan process, from the initial request right through to annual reviews and amendments.
An Overview of the EHCP Journey
The Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) process can feel complicated, but at its core it follows a structured path set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice 2015. Understanding each stage can help you feel more prepared and confident as you work through it.
The journey typically begins when it becomes clear that a child or young person's special educational needs cannot be met through the support normally available at their school or setting. This is usually after the graduated approach — the cycle of Assess, Plan, Do, Review described in the SEND Code of Practice — has been tried and the child is still not making adequate progress.
From there, a request for an EHC needs assessment is made to the local authority. If the assessment goes ahead, information is gathered from a range of professionals and from the family. The local authority then decides whether to issue an EHCP. If a plan is issued, it must be reviewed at least once a year.
The entire process has statutory timescales designed to keep things moving. From the initial request to the final plan being issued, the law allows a maximum of 20 weeks. While some local authorities struggle to meet these timescales, knowing them gives you a benchmark against which to track progress.
Stage 1: Requesting an EHC Needs Assessment
The process begins with a request for an EHC needs assessment. This request can be made by a parent or carer, a young person over 16, the child's school or setting, or a health or social care professional. Parents do not need the school's agreement to make the request directly to the local authority.
When making a request, it can be helpful to explain your child's needs clearly and to include any supporting evidence you have. This might include school reports, professional assessments, medical correspondence, or your own written account of how your child's needs affect their daily life and learning.
The local authority has six weeks from receiving the request to decide whether to carry out an EHC needs assessment. During this time, it may contact the school or other professionals for further information. The decision must take into account whether the child may have special educational needs and whether the support available through SEN Support may not be sufficient to meet those needs.
If the local authority agrees to assess, the process moves to stage two. If it refuses, it must notify you in writing, explain its reasons, and tell you about your right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal and your right to mediation.
Stage 2: The EHC Needs Assessment
Once the local authority agrees to assess, it gathers advice and information from a range of sources. The SEND Code of Practice 2015 sets out the advice that must be sought, which includes educational advice (usually from the school and an educational psychologist), medical or health advice, psychological advice, social care advice, and the views of the parent and child.
As a parent, you will be invited to share your perspective on your child's needs, strengths, and aspirations. Your child's views should also be gathered in a way that is appropriate for their age and understanding. This emphasis on the voice of the child and family is a central principle of the Children and Families Act 2014.
The professionals providing advice should do so within six weeks of being asked. In practice, delays at this stage are one of the most common reasons for the overall process taking longer than 20 weeks. If you are aware of delays, it can be worth contacting the local authority to ask what is causing the hold-up.
At the end of the assessment, the local authority reviews all the evidence and decides whether the child's needs are such that an EHCP is required. If the answer is yes, it prepares a draft plan. If the answer is no, it must write to you explaining the decision and informing you of your right to appeal.
Stage 3: The Draft EHCP and Finalisation
If the local authority decides to issue an EHCP, you will receive a draft plan for review. The draft must include all the information required by the SEND Code of Practice, organised into sections covering the child's views, the parents' views, the child's special educational needs, health needs, social care needs, the outcomes sought, and the special educational provision to be made.
You have 15 calendar days to comment on the draft and to express a preference for the school or setting you would like to be named in the plan. The local authority must consider your preference and can only refuse to name your chosen school in limited circumstances set out in the legislation.
Section F of the plan, which describes the special educational provision, is particularly important because this is the provision that the local authority is legally required to arrange and fund. It is worth checking that Section F is specific, detailed, and quantified — for example, stating that a child will receive three 45-minute sessions of speech and language therapy per week, rather than simply saying "regular speech therapy".
Once any amendments have been agreed, the local authority issues the final EHCP. The entire process from request to final plan should take no longer than 20 weeks. If you disagree with the content of the final plan, you have the right to appeal to the SEND Tribunal.
Annual Reviews and Amending the Plan
Once an EHCP is in place, it must be reviewed at least once every twelve months. The annual review is an important opportunity to check that the plan is still meeting your child's needs and to update it if circumstances have changed.
The annual review is coordinated by the school or setting and involves the family, the child (where appropriate), and relevant professionals. You can also request that specific professionals attend or contribute written reports. The meeting should consider the child's progress towards the outcomes in the plan, whether the provision remains appropriate, and whether any changes are needed.
After the review meeting, the school sends its recommendations to the local authority, which then has four weeks to decide whether to amend the plan, maintain it as it is, or cease it. If the plan is amended, you will receive a new draft to review and comment on, following a similar process to the original drafting stage.
It is also possible to request an early review if there has been a significant change in your child's circumstances — for example, if their needs have increased or if the provision described in the plan is not being delivered. You can make this request to the local authority at any time.
How ChildWize Supports Families Through the EHCP Process
The EHCP process involves a great deal of paperwork, professional input, and sometimes difficult conversations. ChildWize is here to make it more manageable by connecting you with specialists who understand the system inside and out.
If you are preparing to request an EHC needs assessment, our educational support specialists can help you understand what evidence to gather and how to present your case clearly. If your child needs a professional assessment to provide evidence for the process — such as an educational psychology assessment, speech and language evaluation, or occupational therapy report — you can book directly through ChildWize.
Our specialists produce detailed, evidence-based reports that are designed to be used within the EHCP process. Many families find that having independent professional evidence alongside school-based information gives the local authority a fuller picture of their child's needs.
Whether you are at the very start of the process or preparing for an annual review, ChildWize can connect you with the right specialist quickly and without the long waiting times that often come with NHS or local authority services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between SEN Support and an EHCP?
SEN Support is the first level of additional support, provided by the school using its own resources and following the graduated approach (Assess, Plan, Do, Review). An EHCP is a legal document issued by the local authority that sets out specific provision that must be made. EHCPs are generally for children whose needs are more complex and cannot be met through SEN Support alone.
Can I attend the EHC needs assessment meetings?
Yes. Parents and carers should be fully involved throughout the process. You will be asked to contribute your views, and you can attend meetings, submit evidence, and comment on drafts. The SEND Code of Practice emphasises the importance of parental participation.
What happens if the local authority misses the 20-week deadline?
Unfortunately, some local authorities do not meet the 20-week timescale. While there is no automatic penalty, you can raise the delay with the local authority and, if necessary, make a complaint through the local authority’s complaints procedure or contact the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
Can the local authority cease an EHCP?
Yes, a local authority can decide to cease an EHCP if it concludes that the child no longer needs the plan. However, it must follow a specific process and notify you in writing. You have the right to appeal the decision to cease a plan to the SEND Tribunal.
Is an EHCP transferable if we move to a different area?
Yes. If you move to a new local authority area, the new authority must maintain the existing EHCP and provision for the child while it reviews the plan. It should carry out a transfer review within six weeks of the child’s arrival in the new area.
Related Guides
How to Get an EHCP
A practical, parent-friendly guide to requesting an Education, Health and Care Plan, including timelines, your legal rights, and how to gather the evidence you need.
Understanding the SEND Code of Practice
A parent-friendly guide to the key principles, rights, and processes set out in the SEND Code of Practice 2015, and what they mean for your child.
How to Request a School-Based Assessment
A step-by-step guide to asking your child’s school to assess their needs, including the role of the SENCO and what happens during the graduated approach.
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