If your child or young person is struggling to make progress despite additional support in school, they may need an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). This legal document ensures that the right educational, health, and social care support is in place to help them reach their potential.

Applying for an EHCP can feel overwhelming at first, but knowing exactly what happens at each stage can make the process much clearer. This step-by-step guide explains how to apply, what to expect from your local authority, and how to make sure your child receives the right help.

Step 1: Understanding What an EHCP Is

An Education, Health and Care Plan is designed for children and young people who have significant or complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It brings together education, health, and social care into one coordinated plan.

The plan sets out your child’s strengths, challenges, and the additional support needed to help them achieve their outcomes. It can also include a personal budget to give families more control over how support is delivered.

EHCPs are available for young people aged 0 to 25 and replace the older statements of special educational needs. They are managed by the local authority, who is legally responsible for assessing whether a child requires one.

Step 2: Making the Request for Assessment

The first stage in the process is to request an Education, Health and Care (EHC) assessment. You can make this request yourself as a parent or carer, or your child’s school, college, or nursery can do it on your behalf.

It is important to include as much information as possible about your child’s needs and the support they currently receive. Evidence from teachers, therapists, or healthcare professionals can help show why additional assistance is necessary.

Once the local authority receives your request, they have six weeks to decide whether to carry out the assessment. During the first 15 days, they will gather initial information from you, your child’s setting, and other relevant professionals.

Step 3: The Local Authority’s Decision

Your local authority will consider all evidence provided before deciding whether a full assessment is needed. If they agree, they will begin gathering detailed reports and input from various professionals.

If they refuse, they must explain their reasons in writing. You have the right to appeal this decision and can seek advice from independent support services if needed.

If the assessment is approved, you will receive written confirmation outlining the next steps. The entire assessment process should take no more than 20 weeks from the date your request was received.

Step 4: Information Gathering

During the assessment, the local authority must collect advice from several people and agencies, including:

• You, as the parent or carer

• The child or young person themselves

• The child’s school, nursery, or college

• An educational psychologist

• Health professionals such as doctors, therapists, or paediatricians

• Social care representatives, if relevant

This information gathered helps to build a complete picture of your child’s needs across education, health, and social care. It also highlights what strategies have already been tried and what has or hasn’t worked.

Professionals must focus on outcomes and how to help your child achieve them, rather than just describing difficulties. This ensures that any future Health and Care EHC Plan is detailed and outcome-focused.

Step 5: Reviewing the Evidence

Once all reports are received, the local authority will review the information to decide whether an EHC Plan is required. This usually happens around week 14 of the process.

You will be kept informed of progress and may be asked to provide additional information about your child’s development at home.

If the authority concludes that your child’s needs cannot be met within the school’s standard resources, they will agree to issue a draft EHCP. If they decide not to, they must provide a written explanation and details on how to appeal.

Step 6: The Draft Plan

If your application is successful, the local authority will send you a draft Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan. This document outlines:

• Your child’s identified needs

• The outcomes they are expected to achieve

• The support to be provided by education, health, and social care

• The name of the school or setting proposed

You will have 15 days to review the draft plan and give feedback. During this time, you can request amendments or clarify any sections that are unclear.

You can also ask for a personal budget at this stage. This budget allows you to have input into how some of your child’s support funding is spent, such as choosing specific therapy providers or equipment.

It is vital to check that the draft plan lists all of your child’s needs and specifies exactly what support will be provided. For example, instead of saying “access to speech therapy,” it should say “one-to-one speech and language therapy for 45 minutes weekly with a qualified therapist.”

Step 7: Issuing the Final EHCP

After reviewing your comments, the local authority will finalise the plan. The final EHCP must be issued by week 20 of the process. Once finalised, the plan becomes a legally binding document, meaning your child’s school or college must deliver the specified support.

The final EHCP includes sections detailing:

• The child or young person’s background and aspirations

• Their special educational and health needs

• Specific provisions to meet those needs

• Outcomes and monitoring arrangements

• The type and name of the educational setting

• Any health and social care involvement

• Details of a personal budget, if agreed

Keep a copy of the final plan and ensure all professionals involved have one. The plan should be reviewed annually to make sure it remains appropriate for your child’s progress.

Step 8: If the Local Authority Refuses to Issue a Plan

If your local authority decides not to issue a Care Plan (EHCP) after completing the assessment, they must write to you explaining why. You have the right to appeal their decision through the SEND Tribunal.

Before appealing, you can take part in mediation, where an independent professional helps you and the authority reach an agreement. If you choose to go to tribunal, you can represent yourself or seek legal advice.

Even if your request is refused, the assessment itself provides valuable insight into your child’s needs and can help strengthen any future application.

Step 9: Understanding the Role of Education, Health and Social Care

An EHCP brings together support from three key areas: education, health, and social care.

Education covers school-based interventions such as specialist teaching, learning aids, or small group sessions.

Health may include therapies like speech and language, occupational therapy, or medical care.

Social care support can involve respite, family support workers, or personal assistance for children with higher needs.

These services should work together, ensuring that support is consistent across all environments. Your local authority must coordinate this through regular reviews and communication between teams.

Step 10: Reviewing and Updating the EHCP

Once your child has an EHCP, it should be reviewed at least once every 12 months. This meeting involves you, your child’s teachers, and any health or social care professionals working with your family.

The review looks at what progress has been made, whether outcomes are being achieved, and what adjustments might be needed. If your child’s situation changes, such as a move to a new school or a change in health needs, the plan can be updated earlier.

If you disagree with changes made during a review, you can request another meeting or raise a formal concern with your local authority.

Step 11: Preparing for Adulthood

For young people aged 16 to 25, the EHCP plays a crucial role in preparing for adult life. The plan focuses on helping them achieve independence, access training or employment, and participate fully in their community.

Support may include life skills training, career guidance, or continued educational help at college or in supported learning settings. The transition plan section of the EHCP ensures these outcomes are considered early, usually from Year 9 onwards.

Step 12: How SEND Family Guidance Can Help

At SEND Family Guidance, we support parents and carers through every step of the EHCP application process. We help you understand each stage, prepare your request, and communicate effectively with your local authority.

Our team also provides independent advice if your application is refused or delayed and can help you understand how to manage your personal budget.

We work with children and young people, families, and professionals to make sure that every child with educational needs and disabilities receives fair and consistent support.

Key Points to Remember

• You can apply for an EHC assessment yourself, and your local authority must respond within six weeks.

• The full process should take no longer than 20 weeks.

• You are entitled to contribute at every stage and to appeal decisions if needed.

• A personal budget can give you more control over your child’s support.

• Once issued, the EHCP is a legal document that ensures accountability.

• Applying for an EHCP can seem challenging, but with the right knowledge and preparation, you can confidently guide your child through the process and secure the support they need to thrive.