What is an EHC Plan?
Email this pageThe SEND Code of Practice says:
"The purpose of an EHC plan is to make special educational provision to meet the special educational needs of the child or young person, to secure the best possible outcomes for them across education, health and social care and, as they get older, prepare them for adulthood.."
(9.2)
An Education Health and Care (EHC) plan is a legal document written by the local authority and is used for children and young people with high support needs that cannot be met by the support that is usually available at their school or college.
They describe a child’s special educational needs (SEN) and the help they will get to meet them. An EHC plan also includes any health and social care provision and can start from a child’s birth and continue into further education (not applicable for higher education) and training up until age 25.
Watch this video to find out what is an EHC Plan and who is it for
I'm not sure if my child needs an EHC plan
Some children need more help than can be provided at SEN Support. If your child does not make progress despite everything the school has tried, an EHC needs assessment might be the next step.
Also in this section:
Education, Health and Care (EHC) Needs Assessments
Read or listen to our video explaining the Education, Health & Care Needs Assessment process
When a Local Authority should carry out an EHC Needs Assessment
Guidance on what a LA must consider for an assessment request
Requesting an EHC Needs Assessment
Guidance on making a parental request and important factors to consider before a request is made
Gathering Evidence & Completing an EHC Needs Request form
Advice on gathering information for a parental EHC Needs Assessment and hints and tips on completing the request form.
How long does the process take?
Information on the timeframe of the 20 week assessment and what to do if the local authority have not carried out the assessment correctly or kept to the legal timeframe
Local Authority decisions around EHC Needs Assessments
Information on LA decisions around EHC Needs Assessment.
Health and Social Care Elements of an EHC Needs Assessment
Support on providing the LA with information about your child or young person's physical, emotional and social development and health needs.