EHCP Annual Review Explained

Quick summary: An EHCP annual review is the process used to check whether an Education, Health and Care Plan is still accurate, whether the support is being delivered, and whether the plan needs to stay the same, be changed or come to an end. This guide explains what parents can expect, how to prepare, what evidence may help, and what can happen after the review.

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What is an EHCP annual review?

An EHCP annual review is the formal process for reviewing an Education, Health and Care Plan, often shortened to EHCP. The official term is an EHC plan.

The review should look at whether the child or young person’s needs, outcomes, support and placement are still accurate. It should also consider whether the support in the plan is being delivered and whether anything needs to change.

An annual review is not just a meeting. The meeting is part of a wider process that includes gathering information, holding the review meeting, sending a report, and the local authority deciding what should happen next.

When does an EHCP annual review happen?

An EHC plan should usually be reviewed at least once every year. Some children may need earlier or more frequent reviews, especially if needs have changed, support is not working, or there is an important transition coming up.

Parents may also ask for an early review if there is a good reason. This may be relevant where a child’s needs have changed, the placement is not working, provision is not being delivered, or a significant decision needs to be made before the next annual review date.

Reviews can be especially important before major education changes, such as moving from primary to secondary school, moving into post-16 education, or considering a specialist placement.

Who is involved in an EHCP annual review?

The review is usually arranged through the school, college or education setting, although the local authority remains responsible for the EHC plan and the review process.

People involved may include:

  • parents or carers
  • the child or young person
  • the school, college or setting
  • the SENCO or another relevant school leader
  • the local authority
  • health professionals, where relevant
  • social care, where relevant
  • therapists or specialist professionals already involved
  • supporters, advocates or advisers, where appropriate

The child or young person’s views should be considered. The review should not only focus on paperwork; it should also consider how the child or young person is actually experiencing education and support.

What should parents prepare before the review?

Preparation can make an annual review more useful. Parents may want to look at the current EHC plan and think about what is accurate, what has changed, what is working, and what is not being delivered.

Useful preparation may include:

  • reading the current EHC plan carefully
  • checking whether the support listed in the plan is being delivered
  • noting any changes in needs, progress, health, behaviour, attendance or wellbeing
  • collecting school reports, therapy reports or other professional evidence
  • writing down parent views before the meeting
  • asking the child or young person for their views where appropriate
  • making a list of questions or concerns
  • checking whether a placement, phase transfer or provision issue needs to be discussed

It can help to keep the focus on what the child or young person needs, what support is required, and whether the current EHC plan is specific enough to make that support clear.

What evidence may help at an annual review?

Evidence can help show whether the current plan is working and whether changes may be needed. The evidence needed will depend on the child or young person’s situation.

Evidence may include:

  • school progress information
  • attendance records
  • behaviour or incident records, where relevant
  • examples of work
  • professional reports
  • therapy updates
  • medical information, where relevant
  • parent views
  • child or young person views
  • records showing whether provision has or has not been delivered

For some families, evidence may relate to academic progress. For others, the most important evidence may relate to anxiety, attendance, emotional regulation, communication, sensory needs, social care, therapy, independence or preparation for adulthood.

What happens during the annual review meeting?

The annual review meeting should consider the child or young person’s progress towards the outcomes in the EHC plan and whether the plan remains suitable.

The meeting may cover:

  • what progress has been made
  • whether outcomes are still appropriate
  • whether needs have changed
  • whether provision is being delivered
  • whether the current placement remains suitable
  • whether amendments to the plan may be needed
  • whether further advice or assessment is required
  • what parents and the child or young person think should happen next

Parents may want to ask for clear notes of what is discussed, what is agreed, what remains disputed, and what will happen after the meeting.

What can happen after an annual review?

After the annual review process, the local authority should decide what happens to the EHC plan. The usual outcomes are that the plan is maintained, amended or ceased.

The plan is maintained

This means the local authority decides the plan should stay as it is. Parents may still wish to check that the support in the plan is being delivered properly.

The plan is amended

This means the local authority decides the plan should be changed. This may happen because needs, outcomes, provision or placement details need updating.

The plan is ceased

This means the local authority decides the EHC plan should come to an end. This can be a significant decision, and families may wish to seek independent advice if they disagree.

If parents disagree with a local authority decision after an annual review, they may have options to challenge the decision. Independent advice can be important before deciding what to do next.

Can an EHCP be amended after an annual review?

Yes. An EHC plan can be amended after an annual review if changes are needed. This might include changes to needs, outcomes, provision, health or social care sections, or placement information.

Parents may want to check whether any proposed amendments are clear, specific and based on the evidence discussed during the review.

Areas to check may include:

  • whether needs are described accurately
  • whether provision is specific and quantified where possible
  • whether therapy, specialist teaching or other support is clearly described
  • whether outcomes still make sense
  • whether preparation for adulthood has been considered where relevant
  • whether the named placement remains appropriate

Related guide: SEND Rights and Appeals Explained.

What if EHCP support is not being delivered?

If support written in an EHC plan is not being delivered, parents may want to raise this before or during the annual review. The review can be an opportunity to discuss what has been provided, what has not happened, and what needs to change.

Useful records may include:

  • the relevant section of the EHC plan
  • dates when support should have happened
  • examples of missed provision
  • emails to and from the school or local authority
  • meeting notes
  • professional comments or reports
  • evidence of impact on learning, wellbeing, attendance or progress

If provision is missing, reduced or unclear, families may need advice from SENDIASS, a SEND advocate, education adviser, solicitor or another relevant source of support.

Related guide: Can a School Refuse to Support a Child’s EHCP Needs?.

Annual reviews and phase transfers

Annual reviews are especially important before a child or young person moves between education stages. This is often called a phase transfer.

Phase transfers may include:

  • early years to school
  • infant to junior school
  • primary to secondary school
  • secondary school to post-16 education
  • moving from school to further education or training

During a phase transfer, families may need to consider whether the current placement remains suitable, whether a specialist setting is needed, and whether the EHC plan properly describes the support required for the next stage.

Related guide: Moving from Mainstream to a Specialist School with an EHCP.

Questions to ask before the annual review

Parents may find it useful to prepare questions before the annual review meeting. The right questions will depend on the child or young person’s needs and the purpose of the review.

Possible questions include:

  • Is the current EHC plan still accurate?
  • Have the child or young person’s needs changed?
  • Are the outcomes still appropriate?
  • Is all provision in the plan being delivered?
  • What progress has been made?
  • What evidence shows whether the support is working?
  • Are any professional reports needed?
  • Does the placement remain suitable?
  • Does the plan need to be amended?
  • What happens after the review meeting?

Important: This guide gives general information only. It is not legal, educational, medical or clinical advice. If you need help with a specific EHCP review, amendment, placement issue, appeal or complaint, consider speaking to SENDIASS, IPSEA, a SEND advocate, solicitor or another relevant professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EHCP annual review?

An EHCP annual review is the process used to check whether an Education, Health and Care Plan is still accurate, whether support is being delivered, and whether the plan should stay the same, be changed or come to an end.

How often should an EHCP be reviewed?

An EHC plan should usually be reviewed at least once every year. Some children and young people may need an earlier review if needs, support or placement issues change.

Can parents ask for an early EHCP review?

Yes. Parents may ask for an early review if there is a good reason, such as a significant change in needs, provision not being delivered, or a placement concern.

Can an EHCP be changed after an annual review?

Yes. The local authority may decide to amend the EHC plan after an annual review if changes are needed.

What happens if the local authority wants to cease an EHCP?

If the local authority decides that an EHC plan should cease, families may wish to seek independent advice. There may be options to challenge the decision depending on the circumstances.

What should parents bring to an EHCP annual review?

Parents may want to bring the current EHC plan, notes about what support is or is not being delivered, school reports, professional reports, examples of progress or difficulty, and their own written views.

Useful external sources

Next step: If you are looking for help with an EHCP annual review, amendment, evidence, provision issue or placement concern, you can browse SEND and EHCP support providers in the Find Support UK directory.

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