About the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It describes their needs, the support they require and the outcomes they are working towards.
An EHCP brings together education, health and social care information in one plan. It helps make sure children and young people receive the support they need to learn, develop and take part in everyday life.
EHCPs are available for children and young people aged 0 to 25. The plan must reflect the views, wishes and feelings of the child or young person and, where appropriate, their parents or carers.
When an EHCP may be needed
Most children and young people with SEND receive support through their school, college or early years setting.
Some children need more support than their setting can usually provide. In these cases, the council may carry out an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) to decide whether an EHCP is needed.
Information in this section
This section explains:
- what an EHCP is
- how to request an EHC Needs Assessment
- how to use the Citizen Portal
- what happens when an EHCP is drafted and finalised
- annual reviews
- phase transfer to secondary school
- how EHCPs can be amended
- support available from other services
- how to challenge decisions
- timescales for assessments and EHCPs
- privacy and data protection
- how to complete Section A of an EHCP
The pages in this section guide you through each stage of the EHCP process.