Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)

The Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA) process usually takes up to 20 weeks from the date we receive a request to the date a final Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is issued.

This page explains what happens at each stage of the process.

Week 0: request for an assessment

A request for an EHC Needs Assessment can be made by:

• a parent or carer
• a young person aged 16 or over
• a school, college or education setting
• another professional involved with the child or young person 

The 20-week timescale starts when the council receives the request.

Weeks 1 to 6: deciding whether to assess

We consider the information provided and decide whether an EHC Needs Assessment is needed.

We must tell you our decision within 6 weeks.

If we decide not to carry out an assessment, we will explain why. You have the right to challenge this decision.

Weeks 6 to 12: gathering information

If we agree to assess, you will be allocated an EHCP Co-ordinator who will support you through the process.

During this stage, we gather information from:

• you and your child
• education professionals
• health professionals
• an educational psychologist
• social care, where appropriate
• other professionals involved with your child
• any service you ask us to contact

You will also be invited to take part in a family conversation.
This is an opportunity to discuss your child's needs, strengths and future goals.

Professionals usually have up to 6 weeks to provide their advice.

Weeks 13 to 16: deciding whether to issue an EHCP

A multi-agency panel reviews all the information collected during the assessment.

The panel decides whether an EHCP is needed.

Your EHCP Co-ordinator will contact you with the decision by the end of week 16.

If we decide not to issue an EHCP, you will receive:

• a summary of the assessment
• copies of the professional advice received
• information about your right to challenge the decision

Weeks 16 to 20: reviewing the draft EHCP

If we decide to issue an EHCP, we will send you a draft plan.

The EHCP Co-ordinator will discuss the draft with you and ask which education setting you would like your child to attend.

You will have 15 days to:

• comment on the draft EHCP
• request changes
• request a meeting with the council
• tell us your preferred school or education setting

Consulting schools and education settings

We must consult your preferred school or education setting before making a final decision.

Schools and education settings normally have 15 days to respond.

If a specialist setting has been requested, we may need to consult other suitable settings as part of the decision-making process.

Weeks 19 to 20: issuing the final EHCP

We will issue the final EHCP and name the agreed education setting in Section I of the plan.

We will share the final EHCP with:

• the school or education setting named in the plan
• the professionals involved in the assessment

The 20-week timescale is set in law. In most cases, the process must be completed within this timeframe.

After an EHCP is issued

If your child is under 5 years old, their EHCP is usually reviewed every 6 months.

For children and young people aged 5 and over, the EHCP is usually reviewed every 12 months through an annual review.

Annual reviews help make sure the plan continues to reflect your child's needs and the support they require.