Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)
What is an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan?
The Education, Health and Care Plan or EHCP is a legally binding document which outlines a child or young person’s special educational needs or disabilities (SEND) and the support including any additional funding that is necessary to cater for those needs. It also includes any health or care provision that is needed.
Is my child eligible for an EHCP?
Most children with Special Educational Needs or Disabilities make good progress through school with additional support and reasonable adjustments. However, a small group of children may have such significant difficulties that they need more support than the school can provide. If this is the case and your child is aged between 0 and 25, the local authority should conduct an EHC Needs Assessment. Based on this assessment they will be able to decide whether your child is eligible for an EHC plan.
Section 36(8) of the Children and Families Act 2014 (external link) states that the local authority must assess where:
- the child or Young Person has or may have special educational needs, and;
- it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made for the child or Young Person in accordance with an EHC plan.
Where can I find out more?
- IPSEA (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) (external link)
- GOV.UK SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years (external link)
- SOS!SEN (external link)
Supporting documents
- Parent Guide to the Education Health and Care (EHC) Assessment Process in Haringey (PDF, 1.28MB)
- SEN panel ToR Haringey May 21 (PDF, 152KB)
- Guide to EHC assessment 2022 (PDF, 238KB)
Annual Reviews
An annual review is a process, usually arranged by your child’s school* in which involves you, your child and other relevant professionals ensure their Education, Health and Care Plan is kept up to date as your child develops and changes. As a result of the annual review, the Education, Health, and Care Plan may be kept the same, changed or ceased.
- A parent/carer guide to annual reviews for EHCPs (PDF, 923KB)
- IYA Annual Review Guide (PDF, 4.2MB)
- IYA Annual Review Tips (PDF, 800KB)