The EHCP Annual Review
An Annual Review is a legal process to check on whether the needs and provision, detailed in the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), are still up-to-date and relevant for your child. The Annual Review will also consider if anything needs to be added to the EHCP.
The Annual Review should include:
- you and your child
- the school or setting – usually the Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo)
- professionals
The Annual Review must use a Person Centred Approach and must be undertaken in partnership with you and your child. It must take your views, wishes and feelings into account. Schools and settings must support families so that they are fully engaged in the Annual Review meeting.
The Council for Disabled Children have produced a video for parents on the Annual Review process:
When the Annual Review is held
The first Annual Review must be held within 12 months of the date the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) was issued. The next Annual Review needs to be held within 12 months of the previous one. In some cases, Annual Reviews maybe carried out earlier. Annual Reviews for children up to the age of 5, should take place more frequently.
An Annual Review can take place at any time during the school year. If your child is transferring from one stage of their education to another, the Annual Review must take place in the Autumn term and their Final Amended Plan must be issued by the following dates:
- moving into Primary School – by 15 February in the year that your child is starting school
- moving from Primary to Secondary School - by 15 February in the year that your child is transferring, that is, year 6
- move from Secondary School to Post 16 - by 31 March in the year that your child is transferring, that is, year 11
All reviews from Year 9 onwards must include a focus on preparing for adulthood, including:
- employment
- independent living
- participation in society
The aim of the EHCP review meeting
The aim of the EHCP review meeting is to show the progress of the child/young person has made and to review the outcomes and provision currently in place. The emphasis is on the child/young person's progress towards achieving the outcomes as specified in the EHCP and to consider whether the outcomes and the steps toward these remain appropriate. It must highlight what is working and/or if there are any areas that need more support or require amendment.
Where the child or young person does not attend an educational provider, the Local Authority (LA) will plan to organise and convene the EHCP review meeting.
Arranging the Annual Review
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) for the pre-school setting or school is responsible for arranging the Annual Review and contacting everyone to let them know:
- the date of the meeting
- the time of the meeting
- the venue for the meeting
The SENCo often chairs the meeting and sends out all the relevant reports in advance.
Amending an EHCP
It is not expected that your child’s EHCP will need amending every year. If there are any amendments to your child’s existing plan, they will be identified during the Annual Review meeting and sent to the Special Educational Needs and/or Disability (SEND) Service.
Your child’s EHCP will be amended when:
- there are significant changes identified
- your child is moving onto their next phase of their education (for example, nursery into reception,changing key stage, moving to post 16)
- there is a change of address or school
- there are changes in health and/or social care provision
Any suggested changes to your child’s EHCP will be considered by the Education Team Manager. You will be contacted if there are any problems.
It may be necessary for the SEND team to present your child’s case to the EHCP panel if significant changes are required.