SEND & EHCP Support in the UK
Quick Summary
- SEND support can include school-based help, specialist advice, EHCP support, advocacy, tutoring and therapy-related input.
- SEN Support is usually the first school-based support route before an EHCP is considered.
- An EHCP may be needed where a child or young person requires more support than is normally available through SEN Support.
- Proposed SEND reforms may change how support is planned, recorded and reviewed in future.
- Find Support UK helps families explore support options, but does not provide legal, medical or educational advice.
SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) support in the UK helps children and young people who need additional provision to access education effectively. Support may range from school-based adjustments to a formal Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).
This page explains what SEND support includes, how EHCPs work, when they may be considered, and how families can access appropriate guidance. Find Support UK is an independent directory and does not provide legal or clinical advice.
This guide also explains how current EHCP rights sit alongside proposed SEND reforms, including stronger mainstream support expectations and the possible future use of Individual Support Plans.
Looking for practical guidance?
Explore step-by-step explanations and common questions: Support Guides
Explore structured SEND advice and advocacy listings across the UK: View SEND & EHCP Directory
On this page
What Does SEND Mean?
SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. A child or young person may be identified as having SEND if they have a learning difficulty or disability that requires special educational provision beyond what is normally available in mainstream settings.
SEND support may relate to:
- Autism or ADHD
- Speech, language and communication needs
- Learning difficulties (including dyslexia or global delay)
- Sensory processing differences
- Social, emotional and mental health needs (SEMH)
- Physical disabilities or medical conditions affecting education
Many children receive SEND support within school without needing an EHCP.
What Is an EHCP?
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legally binding document issued by a local authority. It outlines a child or young person’s needs and the provision required to support them.
An EHCP may be considered when:
- Needs are significant and long-term
- School-based SEN Support is insufficient
- Multi-agency input (education, health, care) is required
An EHCP is not automatically linked to diagnosis. It is based on assessed needs and required provision.
SEND Reform, EHCPs and What Could Change
The SEND system in England is entering a period of significant reform. Government proposals have focused on earlier support, stronger mainstream inclusion, clearer expectations for schools and local authorities, and changes to how support may be planned and reviewed.
For families, the most important point is that EHCPs still exist under current law. The current system has not been replaced. Parents and carers can still request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment, local authorities still have duties under the existing SEND framework, and appeal routes remain available where they apply.
For a wider explanation of what applies now and what may change, read Current SEND Law vs Proposed Reform.
Current law
Under the current SEND system, many children receive support through SEN Support in school or college. Where a child or young person may need more support than is normally available through SEN Support, an EHC needs assessment can be requested.
If the local authority decides that an EHCP is necessary, the plan should set out the child or young person’s special educational needs, the provision required, and the education placement. EHCPs remain legally important because the provision written into a final EHCP is enforceable.
Current routes still include SEN Support, EHC needs assessment requests, EHCPs, annual reviews, complaints routes and appeals where relevant.
Proposed reforms
The proposed reform direction includes a stronger mainstream support system, clearer expectations for inclusion, and more structured ways of recording and reviewing support.
Key proposed reform areas include:
- Individual Support Plans — proposed written records of a child or young person’s needs, support and how that support should be delivered.
- National Inclusion Standards — proposed national expectations for what inclusive mainstream support should look like.
- Specialist Provision Packages — proposed packages of specialist support for children and young people with more complex needs.
- EHCP reform proposals — possible future changes to how EHCPs are structured, planned or reviewed.
The government has also indicated that EHCPs would remain for children and young people who need support beyond what is routinely available in mainstream education. The proposed direction is therefore not simply the removal of EHCPs, but a more layered system where more support is expected to be available earlier.
What is not yet confirmed
Some important details are still subject to further development, consultation, legislation and guidance. These include exactly how Individual Support Plans would work, how decisions would be challenged, what rights would attach to different types of support plan, and how schools and local authorities would be held accountable if support is not delivered.
It is also not yet fully clear how Specialist Provision Packages would work in practice, how they would link to EHCPs, or how existing EHCPs would transition if future reforms are introduced.
Current SEND law continues to apply unless and until legislation changes it. Families should not delay seeking help because proposed reforms are not yet fully implemented.
Find Support UK will continue to update this guidance as legislation, statutory guidance and implementation details become clearer.
Key point
SEND reform may change how support is planned and delivered in future, but EHCPs have not disappeared. If a child needs support now, families should continue using the current SEND routes, including SEN Support, EHC needs assessment requests, annual reviews, complaints routes and appeals where relevant.
The EHCP Assessment Process
Families or schools can request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment from their local authority.
The process typically includes:
- Submission of a formal request
- Review of existing evidence and school reports
- Professional assessments (if agreed)
- Decision on whether to issue a plan
- Draft plan consultation
- Final EHCP issued (if approved)
Local authorities follow statutory timelines, though practical timescales can vary.
Before an EHCP assessment is requested, schools are usually expected to identify needs, provide support, and review progress. For a clearer breakdown of what this may involve, see: What Schools Must Do Before an EHCP Request
Evidence and Professional Input
Strong evidence can support an EHCP request. This may include:
- Educational psychology reports
- Speech and language assessments
- Occupational therapy reports
- Paediatric or psychiatric assessments
- School SEN records and intervention history
For a clearer breakdown of what schools are expected to do before an EHCP is considered, see: What Schools Must Do Before an EHCP Request
For a practical overview of the types of records, reports, and school evidence that may support an EHCP request, see: What Evidence Is Needed for an EHCP Request
If you are exploring diagnostic assessment routes, see our guide to Private ADHD and Autism Assessments.
Some families also seek independent assessments or supporting reports from providers such as ADHD 360 or Clinical Partners, particularly when gathering evidence for an EHCP request.
Where NHS services are delayed, families may consider the Right to Choose pathway for ADHD and autism assessments, which allows access to certain providers through NHS funding while supporting evidence gathering for EHCP requests.
Appeals and Disagreements
If a local authority refuses to assess or declines to issue an EHCP, families have the right to challenge the decision.
This may involve:
- Mediation
- Appeal to the SEND Tribunal
- Independent legal or advocacy support
Families may wish to seek impartial advice before pursuing an appeal.
Independent Advice and Advocacy
Support is available from independent organisations that provide guidance on SEND rights, applications, and appeals.
You can explore providers in our SEND & EHCP Support directory.
Funding and Commissioning
EHCP provision is funded by the local authority and education setting. However, families may also choose to access private therapies alongside school-based provision.
Some services work:
- Privately
- Via EHCP funding
- Through mixed arrangements
Explore related services in:
If you want to track government policy changes, see the SEND Reform Tracker.
Choosing SEND Support Safely
When selecting a provider, families may wish to:
- Check professional registration and accreditation
- Clarify experience with EHCP processes
- Understand what reports include
- Confirm pricing and funding arrangements in writing
- Avoid services guaranteeing specific outcomes
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a diagnosis to apply for an EHCP?
No. An EHCP is based on assessed needs and required provision, not diagnosis alone.
How long does the EHCP process take?
Local authorities follow statutory timelines (usually around 20 weeks), though delays can occur.
Can schools refuse to support without an EHCP?
Mainstream schools must provide SEN Support before an EHCP is considered.
Can an EHCP continue after age 16?
Yes. EHCPs can continue up to age 25 if educational outcomes are still being pursued.
What happens if an EHCP is refused?
If a local authority refuses to assess or issue an EHCP, families have the right to request mediation and may appeal to the SEND Tribunal. Independent advice may help clarify next steps.
Can parents request an EHCP without the school?
Yes. Parents or carers can request an Education, Health and Care needs assessment directly from the local authority. Schools do not have to initiate the request.
Does an EHCP guarantee a specific school place?
An EHCP can name a specific school or setting, but placement decisions depend on suitability, availability, and legal criteria. Local authorities must consider parental preference where appropriate.
Are EHCPs being removed?
No. EHCPs have not been removed. Current SEND law still applies, and families can still request an EHC needs assessment where a child or young person may need more support than is normally available through SEN Support. Proposed reforms may change how support is planned in future, but EHCPs remain part of the current system.
Related Support Guides
If you are exploring SEND support, EHCPs, school duties or proposed SEND reforms, these guides may also help:
- What Is SEND Support? — Understand school-based SEND support before an EHCP, including what schools should do and what parents can ask.
- The Graduated Approach Explained — Understand Assess, Plan, Do, Review and how schools should identify, support and review a child’s SEND needs.
- What Evidence Should Schools Use for SEND Support? — Understand the records, reports, parent views and school evidence that can support SEN Support reviews or an EHCP request.
- What Schools Must Do Before an EHCP Request — See what schools should usually try, review and evidence before an EHCP request is considered.
- EHCP Process Explained Simply — Follow the main steps in the EHCP process, from assessment request through to a final plan.
- EHCP Support for Parents — Understand practical options if your child may need more support than school-based SEN Support can provide.
- EHCP Annual Review Explained — Understand annual reviews, amendments, evidence and what can happen after a review meeting.
- SEND Rights and Appeals Explained — Understand common SEND rights, local authority decisions and when appeal routes may apply.
- Individual Support Plans Explained — Understand proposed Individual Support Plans and how they may relate to SEN Support and EHCPs.
- National Inclusion Standards Explained — Learn how proposed national expectations may affect mainstream inclusion and SEND support.
- Specialist Provision Packages Explained — Understand proposed specialist support packages and how they may link to EHCPs and complex needs.
- How Will SEND Reforms Affect EHCPs? — Learn what proposed SEND reforms may mean for EHCPs, current rights and future support planning.
- SEND Reform Tracker — Follow key SEND reform updates and understand what has changed, what is proposed and what remains uncertain.
Further guidance and trusted SEND support resources
The following organisations provide independent guidance on SEND rights, support, and education in the UK:
SENDIASS – Local authority-funded impartial support services
IPSEA – Independent legal guidance on SEND rights
Mencap – Advice on SEN support and education
For Providers – Join Find Support UK
If you offer SEND advice, EHCP support, advocacy, or related services, you can Submit a Support Listing or Claim a listing.
Find Support UK is an independent directory. Listings are reviewed for clarity and accuracy.