Changing a school placement with an EHC plan
Email this pageThe EHCP is unlikely to remain the same and may become out of date or the child/young person may move to a different school or college. The EHCP will be reviewed by the local authority and the school or college, working together with the parent and child/young person. This is called an annual review.
If parents are considering a change of placement, parents can put their request in writing to the local authority at any time. Parents will need to put the request in writing and the reasons for the change of placement and the Local Authority will consider this and let parents know their decision. It is important to note that parents will not get a right of appeal if they do not agree with the local authority’s decision, and for this reason it may be advisable to request an annual review or have an early annual review if is it not yet due.
The annual review is a statutory requirement to review the EHC plan to ensure that the child or young person is making progress and receiving the provision to meet their needs. Parents and young people can ask for an early review of the EHCP if they feel that the needs have changed and/or the needs are no longer accurately described in the EHC plan or that the provision outlined in the plan does not meet the child’s needs.
The school SEN Co-ordinator (Senco) will be responsible for contacting the local authority and arranging the annual review but parents or young people can also write a letter/send an email or telephone the SEND Operations Team and discuss the reasons for bringing forward the annual review.
The purpose of the review is to listen to the child/young person’s views, parent view’s and bring together the views of everyone involved.
An annual review is not a decision-making meeting so parents will not be asked to make any decisions on school placement before or during the meeting but they will share their views and these will form part of the annual review paperwork. It can only make recommendations to the Local Authority who will then make a final decision on the basis of the annual review paperwork.
Following the annual review, the Local Authority will write to parents with their decision and parents will be given their right to appeal any changes.
If parents have concerns with the school placement or provision then it would be beneficial to request for someone from the Local Authority to attend the review. The school are responsible for arranging the review and parents can advise who they would like to attend.
If there are significant changes, then parents or young person can also ask for a Re-assessment of the child/young person’s needs.
Further Information
Also in this section:
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans)
An Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan) describes your child’s special educational needs (SEN) and the help they will get to meet them.
What should I expect to see in a Draft EHC plan
Guidance on what should be in the draft EHC Plan.
Choosing a school with an EHC plan
Guidance on choosing and naming a school on an EHC plan
Finalising the EHC Plan
You should receive a final EHC plan within a maximum of 20 weeks of the initial request.
Mediation
Mediation is a way to try to settle a dispute and involves meeting with different parties to try to reach an agreement.
Education Otherwise
A parent may need to educate their child at home because there is no viable alternative due to their child’s particular needs, whether medical or otherwise.
Moving to a new Local Authority with an EHC Plan
If you are moving to a new Local Authority area, the EHC plan will need to transfer to the new local authority.
Also in this section:
Education, Health and Care Plans (EHC Plans)
An Education, Health and Care plan (EHC plan) describes your child’s special educational needs (SEN) and the help they will get to meet them.
What should I expect to see in a Draft EHC plan
Guidance on what should be in the draft EHC Plan.
Choosing a school with an EHC plan
Guidance on choosing and naming a school on an EHC plan
Finalising the EHC Plan
You should receive a final EHC plan within a maximum of 20 weeks of the initial request.
Mediation
Mediation is a way to try to settle a dispute and involves meeting with different parties to try to reach an agreement.
Education Otherwise
A parent may need to educate their child at home because there is no viable alternative due to their child’s particular needs, whether medical or otherwise.
Moving to a new Local Authority with an EHC Plan
If you are moving to a new Local Authority area, the EHC plan will need to transfer to the new local authority.