31 March an important deadline for some families
2 mins read
Friday 27 March 2026
Does your young person have an education, health and care (EHC) plan? Are they transferring from secondary school to college later this year?
If so, 31 March is an important deadline.
By this date, local authorities must have reviewed, amended and finalised the EHC plans for young people transferring from secondary school to a post-16 institution.
What is a post-16 institution?
Post -16 institutions include:
- Further education colleges.
- Sixth form college.
- A “designated institution” (independent specialist schools and colleges approved under Section 41 of the Children and Families Act).
31 March is a legal deadline, which means the local authority must comply with it. The deadline is set out in Regulation 18 of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Regulations 2014.
What must the local authority do to finalise an EHC plan?
Before the local authority issue the final plan, they must send you a draft EHC plan and ask for your views. The local authority must also consult you about your preferred setting for your young person.
To meet the statutory deadline, the local authority should already have completed these steps and issued the final EHC plan.
What can I do if the local authority misses the deadline?
If the local authority misses the 31 March deadline for finalising an EHC plan, contact the local authority to remind them of their legal obligation and request immediate action.
If your local authority does not name your preferred post 16 setting in the EHC plan, you have the right to appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability). Contact our helpline for further advice and information.
Where can I find more information?
See our webpage for more information about this process or contact our national helpline for advice.