This advice applies in England only. Read information for families in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Some children or young people with more complex educational needs receive support through an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan, following an EHC needs asssessment.
On this page, you’ll find links to find out more detail about this type of support.
In this article
Introduction
Some children require more or a different kind of help than a mainstream school, college or nursery can usually provide from its own resources.
These pupils will need an education health and care (EHC) plan.
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Getting an EHC plan
Local authorities use a process called an EHC needs assessment to determine whether a child needs an EHC plan and, if so, the support (provision) contained within it.
The EHC needs assessment process includes different stages and comes with timescales those involved must keep to.
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EHC needs assessments
Education, health and care (EHC) needs assessments are a necessary step in determining whether a child or young person requires an EHC…
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Getting an EHC draft plan
Read moreWhen your child has an EHC plan
Your local authority must review your child’s EHC plan at least once a year. This is to look at how your child is progressing and to ensure that the plan is kept up to date. This process is known as the annual review.
There are other changes in circumstances that might impact your child’s EHC plan, including when their education comes to an end.
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Putting things right
If you disagree with a decision made by the local authority relating to your child’s special educational needs, you can appeal to an independent body called the First Tier Tribunal for Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND).
