📘 Parent and Carer Guide to EHCPs

A clear, structured guide to help you understand Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs): what they are, how they work, and how to make sure your child’s plan is effective.

Quick links

1) What is an EHCP?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document issued by the Local Authority (LA). It sets out:

  • The child or young person’s special educational needs.
  • The provision required to meet those needs.
  • The outcomes they should be working towards.

EHCPs apply to children and young people aged 0 to 25 who need more support than a school or college can normally provide.

2) Why might an EHCP be issued?

  • The child has significant or complex needs.
  • Support at SEN Support level is not enough.
  • Specialist input (e.g. SALT, OT, specialist teaching) is required.
  • The child is not making expected progress despite support being in place.

For an assessment (EHCNA): The LA must assess if:

  • The child may have special educational needs, and
  • It may be necessary for special educational provision to be made via an EHCP.

This is a low threshold. You do not need to prove everything at this stage.

For issuing an EHCP after assessment: The LA must issue one if needs cannot be met at SEN Support alone.

4) Timescales

  • Request made → LA has 6 weeks to decide whether to assess.
  • Assessment agreed → LA gathers advice from education, health, and social care.
  • By week 16: Draft EHCP issued.
  • By week 20: Final EHCP issued.
Note: If the LA refuses to assess or issue, parents and carers have the right to appeal.

5) What does an EHCP cover (and not cover)?

✅ Covers:

  • Special educational needs.
  • Educational provision (including therapies where they are educational in nature).
  • Outcomes for education, health, and care.
  • School or college placement.

❌ Does not cover:

  • Everyday parenting responsibilities.
  • Generic school policies or classroom strategies.
  • Purely medical treatment unrelated to learning.

6) The Structure of an EHCP

  • A – Views, interests, and aspirations.
  • B – Special educational needs.
  • C – Health needs related to SEN.
  • D – Social care needs related to SEN.
  • E – Outcomes.
  • F – Special educational provision (legally enforceable).
  • G – Health provision.
  • H1 – Social care provision (Children Act 1989).
  • H2 – Other social care provision.
  • I – Placement (school or college).
  • J – Personal budget.
  • K – Advice and information gathered.

7) What should be included?

  • Needs (B): Clear and specific (avoid vague wording).
  • Provision (F): Quantified and specific (what, how often, how long, by whom).
  • Outcomes (E): Measurable and realistic.

8) How is the information gathered?

The LA must seek advice from:

  • Educational Psychologist (EP).
  • School or college.
  • Health professionals (SALT, OT, paediatrics, CAMHS if relevant).
  • Social care (if involved).
  • Parents, carers, and the young person.

9) What makes a good plan?

  • Clear – no jargon or contradictions.
  • Specific – quantified, detailed provision.
  • Linked – each need in B has matching provision in F.
  • Outcome-focused – outcomes measurable and realistic.
  • Enforceable – wording in F is precise.

10) The Golden Thread (Needs → Outcomes → Provision)

Need (B): Child has difficulty with expressive language.

Outcome (E): Child will use 5–6 word sentences in class by July 2026.

Provision (F): Weekly 1:1 SALT for 45 mins, plus daily 10-min TA practice.

11) Maintaining an EHCP

  • Reviewed annually (or more often if requested).
  • Parents, carers, school, and professionals attend the Annual Review.
  • Provision and outcomes should be updated to reflect progress.

12) Common Misconceptions

  • “You must be two years behind” → ❌ Not true.
  • “Therapies are health so not included” → ❌ If needed for learning, they belong in Section F.
  • “The LA decides what provision goes in” → ❌ Provision must be based on evidence, not resources.
  • “You need a diagnosis” → ❌ Education is based on need, not diagnosis.

13) Key Tips

  • Keep everything in writing.
  • Track legal deadlines.
  • Push for quantified provision.
  • Check the golden thread is present.
  • Challenge where necessary – appeals are part of the process.

14) SEND Jargon Buster

  • Annual Review – Yearly meeting to update the EHCP.
  • Appeal / SENDIST – Tribunal where parents and carers challenge LA decisions.
  • CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
  • Children and Families Act 2014 – The law covering SEND and EHCPs.
  • CoP – SEND Code of Practice 2015.
  • EHCP – Education, Health and Care Plan.
  • EHCNA – Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment.
  • EP – Educational Psychologist.
  • Graduated Approach – The Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle.
  • LA – Local Authority.
  • Mediation – Optional step before appeal.
  • Outcomes – Goals in Section E.
  • Provision – Support in Section F.
  • SALT / SLT – Speech and Language Therapy/Therapist.
  • SEN – Special Educational Needs.
  • SENCO – School’s SEN co-ordinator.
  • SEN Support – Support without an EHCP.
  • Statutory – Required by law.
  • Tribunal – The SENDIST appeal process.

✨ Summary

An EHCP is a powerful, legally binding tool to secure the right support. By understanding the structure, timescales, and legal rights, you can hold schools and LAs accountable and ensure your child or young person receives the help they are entitled to.