EHCP Guide

An EHCP ensures that your child gets the right amount of extra help at school

Most children can be supported at school without an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). But if your child needs more support than school would normally be expected to provide, the Local Authority (your council) will issue an EHCP. The EHCP says exactly what help should be provided, and usually comes with extra funding for the school.

1. Before this: extra help from school
2. 1Stage 1AssessmentThe assessment decides if your child needs more support than school would normally be expected to provide.The assessment process should take no more than 16 weeks from the point you or the school requests an assessment.

   The Local Authority decides whether to issue an EHCP.If it goes against you, you can challenge it.

3. 2Stage 2The EHCPThe Local Authority writes the EHCP. You get to comment before it is finalised, and say which school you want. The final EHCP names the school your child will go to.About 4 weeks, in theory. In practice it can take longer, because each school has to respond to a formal consultation from the Local Authority.

   The final EHCP arrives. It will say what your child needs (section B), what extra help is required to meet those needs (section F) and which school will provide that (section I).If it goes against you, you can challenge it.

4. After this: reviews and changes to the EHCP

From asking for an assessment to a final EHCP: 20 weeks, in theory. Not all Local Authorities meet this deadline, even though the law requires them to. What to do when a deadline is missed.