Amending an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
When and why an EHCP is amended
An EHCP must be reviewed in full, at least once every 12 months. This is usually called an Annual Review. However, it is not expected that your child’s EHCP will need amending every year.
If there are any amendments to your child’s existing EHCP, 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, (Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2), Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3, Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 4 and 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.
What happens if your child's EHCP is needed
You will receive the following:
- a copy of your child’s existing EHCP
- the draft amended EHCP
You now have 15 days to respond to the draft amended EHCP.
You will need to:
- confirm you are happy with the proposed changes
- tell us if you would like to make any written comments or changes to the proposed amendments
- contact us if you would like to meet with a member of the SEND team to discuss the proposed changes
- confirm your preference for a school placement, which may be continuing in their current school or setting
The Westmorland and Furness SEND IAS Service will be able to help if you need any support understanding the proposed changes.
Visiting schools and settings that you would like your child to go to
It is particularly important that you visit any new school or setting before you express your preference.
The Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) will be able to discuss your child’s needs and look at the draft amended EHCP with you.
When you have responded to your child's proposed amended EHCP
If the SEND team are already aware of your preference, then they will consult with that school or setting. This simply means they will contact them to find out if they can meet your child’s needs and provide everything that is in their EHCP.
If your child is due to transfer to another placement at the end of the academic year (for example, starting school, Year 2, or Year 6), then the EHCP will be sent to your preferred placement.
Schools and settings have 15 days to respond.
The SEND team will work closely with any school or setting that feel unable to meet a child or young person’s needs.
The final amended EHCP will be sent to you after everything has been agreed.
At this point, you will have the right to appeal about particular sections of your child’s EHCP.