EHCP Process Explained Simply

Quick summary: The EHCP process in England is the route used to decide whether a child or young person needs an Education, Health and Care Plan. This guide explains the main stages in plain English, including EHC needs assessment requests, evidence, local authority decisions, draft plans, final plans and next steps if a family disagrees.

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What is the EHCP process?

The EHCP process is the formal route used to decide whether a child or young person needs an Education, Health and Care Plan, often shortened to EHCP. The official term is an EHC plan.

An EHC plan is for children and young people who need more support than is available through ordinary school-based SEN Support. It identifies educational, health and social care needs, and sets out the support required to meet those needs.

The process usually starts with a request for an EHC needs assessment. This is where the local authority considers whether a detailed assessment is needed to understand the child or young person’s needs and the support they may require.

Who can request an EHC needs assessment?

An EHC needs assessment may be requested by a parent or carer, a young person over compulsory school age, or a school or education setting. Other professionals may also support the request or provide evidence.

Families do not always have to wait for a school to request an assessment. If a parent or young person believes more support may be needed than is available through SEN Support, they can ask the local authority to consider an EHC needs assessment.

Before requesting an assessment, it can help to understand what support has already been tried in school and what evidence exists about the child or young person’s needs.

You may also find this guide useful: What Schools Must Do Before an EHCP Request.

Stage 1: Concerns are raised

The process often begins because parents, carers, school staff or professionals are concerned that a child or young person is not making expected progress, is struggling to access education, or needs support beyond what is currently in place.

Concerns may relate to areas such as:

  • learning progress
  • attendance or school avoidance
  • communication and interaction
  • social, emotional or mental health needs
  • sensory or physical needs
  • speech, language or communication needs
  • behaviour that may reflect unmet needs
  • access to the curriculum or school environment

At this stage, families may want to ask the school what SEND Support is already in place, what has been reviewed, and what evidence shows whether the support is working.

Stage 2: An EHC needs assessment is requested

An EHC needs assessment request asks the local authority to consider whether a formal assessment is needed. The request should explain the child or young person’s needs, the support already tried, and why further assessment may be necessary.

Useful evidence may include:

  • school support plans or provision maps
  • records of meetings with the school or SENCO
  • progress data or examples of work
  • attendance information
  • behaviour or incident records, where relevant
  • reports from educational psychologists, therapists or other professionals
  • medical or diagnostic information, where available
  • parent or young person views
  • evidence that current support is not enough

Important: This guide gives general information only. It is not legal, educational, medical or clinical advice. For a specific situation, families may wish to speak to SENDIASS, an education adviser, SEND advocate, solicitor or another relevant professional.

Stage 3: The local authority decides whether to assess

After receiving an EHC needs assessment request, the local authority must decide whether to carry out the assessment. In many EHCP summaries, this is described as the first decision point in the process.

If the local authority agrees to assess, it will gather information and advice from relevant people and services. This may include education, health and social care advice, depending on the child or young person’s needs.

If the local authority refuses to assess, families may have options to challenge the decision. They may wish to seek independent advice before deciding what to do next.

Stage 4: Advice and evidence are gathered

If an EHC needs assessment goes ahead, the local authority gathers information about the child or young person’s needs, outcomes and support. This should include a range of advice depending on the situation.

Advice may come from:

  • parents or carers
  • the child or young person
  • the school, college or education setting
  • educational psychology
  • health professionals
  • social care, where relevant
  • other specialists involved with the child or young person

This stage is important because the evidence gathered helps the local authority decide whether an EHC plan is needed and, if so, what should be included.

Stage 5: The local authority decides whether to issue an EHC plan

After the assessment, the local authority decides whether it is necessary to issue an EHC plan. If it decides not to issue a plan, it should explain the decision. Families may have rights to challenge or appeal, depending on the decision and circumstances.

If the local authority decides that an EHC plan is needed, it will prepare a draft plan. Families should read the draft carefully and check whether it properly describes needs, outcomes and provision.

You can read more about rights and challenge routes here: SEND Rights and Appeals Explained.

Stage 6: The draft EHC plan is reviewed

A draft EHC plan is not the final version. It gives families an opportunity to check the wording and respond before the plan is finalised.

When reading a draft plan, families may want to check:

  • whether all needs are clearly described
  • whether support is specific rather than vague
  • whether provision says who will do what, how often and for how long
  • whether outcomes are clear and realistic
  • whether health or social care needs have been included where relevant
  • whether the named placement is appropriate
  • whether key reports or advice have been reflected accurately

If the draft plan does not reflect the child or young person’s needs, families may wish to seek advice before responding.

Stage 7: The final EHC plan is issued

If the local authority issues a final EHC plan, it becomes the formal document setting out the child or young person’s needs, outcomes and provision. The final plan should also name the education setting or type of placement.

Once a final plan is issued, the focus shifts to delivery, monitoring and review. Families may need to check whether the support in the plan is actually being provided.

If a family disagrees with parts of the final plan, there may be appeal rights. Independent advice can be helpful before taking formal action.

How long should the EHCP process take?

In England, the EHCP process is commonly described as a 20-week process from the request for an EHC needs assessment to the final EHC plan, where a plan is issued.

Important time points often include:

  • the local authority deciding whether to assess
  • advice and evidence being gathered
  • the local authority deciding whether to issue an EHC plan
  • the draft EHC plan being shared
  • the final EHC plan being issued, where a plan is agreed

Delays can happen in practice. If a family is experiencing delay, missed deadlines or unclear communication, it may help to seek advice from SENDIASS, IPSEA, a SEND advocate or another relevant support organisation.

What if the local authority refuses an assessment or plan?

There are several points where a family may disagree with a local authority decision. This may include a refusal to carry out an EHC needs assessment, a refusal to issue an EHC plan after assessment, or disagreement with the contents of a final plan.

Families may have options such as asking for reasons, seeking advice, using mediation processes, making a complaint or appealing to the SEND Tribunal, depending on the decision and circumstances.

Find Support UK does not provide legal advice. Families who are unsure what to do next should consider independent advice from SENDIASS, IPSEA, a SEND advocate, solicitor or another relevant source of support.

What should parents keep records of?

Good records can help families understand what has happened and what support has been tried. They may also be useful if an EHC needs assessment is requested or if a decision is challenged.

Useful records may include:

  • emails with school or the local authority
  • meeting notes
  • school support plans
  • review dates and outcomes
  • attendance records
  • examples of work or progress information
  • professional reports
  • medical, therapy or diagnostic information, where relevant
  • notes about what support was promised and what was delivered

Where can families find EHCP support?

Families may look for different kinds of support depending on the stage of the EHCP process. Some may need help understanding school-based SEND Support, while others may need advice about assessment requests, evidence, annual reviews, appeals or placement concerns.

Support options may include local SENDIASS services, charities, parent carer forums, education consultants, SEND advocates, SEN advisors, solicitors, specialist tutors or therapy providers.

Find Support UK is a neutral directory. We do not diagnose, recommend individual providers or give legal advice. Our role is to help families understand support options and find relevant services more easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does EHCP stand for?

EHCP usually means Education, Health and Care Plan. The official term is EHC plan.

Is an EHCP the same as SEN Support?

No. SEN Support is usually support arranged by a school or setting. An EHC plan is a formal plan for children and young people who need more support than is available through SEN Support.

Can a parent request an EHC needs assessment?

Yes. Parents can request an EHC needs assessment from the local authority. A young person over compulsory school age can also request one.

Does a child need a diagnosis to request an EHCP?

Not always. Evidence of need and the support required is important. A diagnosis may be useful evidence, but the process should focus on the child or young person’s needs.

How long does the EHCP process take?

In England, the process is commonly described as taking up to 20 weeks from the request for an EHC needs assessment to the final EHC plan, where a plan is issued.

What can families do if the local authority refuses to assess?

Families may have options to challenge the decision. It can help to ask for clear reasons, review the evidence and seek independent SEND advice before deciding next steps.

Families may look for different types of help depending on where they are in the EHCP process. Some may need help understanding school-based SEND Support, while others may need advice about evidence, EHC needs assessment requests, draft plans, annual reviews, appeals or placement concerns.

If you are trying to understand the EHCP process, these related guides may help you explore school support, parent support, reviews, rights and next steps.

Useful external sources

Next step: If you are looking for help with an EHCP request, evidence, school meetings, reviews or next steps, you can browse SEND and EHCP support providers in the Find Support UK directory.

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