What Is an EHC Plan? Guide for Parents

If your child has special educational needs or disabilities, you may be wondering whether they need more support than the school can currently provide. This is where an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) comes in. 

So, what is an EHC Plan? It is a legal document designed to help children with complex needs that impact their learning, wellbeing or development. An EHCP brings education, health, and social care support together in one place, so everyone understands what your child needs and who will provide it.

This guide explains exactly what you need to know about an EHCP: who qualifies, how to apply and what happens once a plan is in place. It aims to give you clear, practical steps so you feel confident as you advocate for your child.

Key Takeaways

• An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is a legal document describing the support a child with significant SEND must receive.

• It is for children whose needs cannot be met through ordinary classroom teaching or SEN Support alone.

• Parents can request an EHC needs assessment directly from the local authority at any time.

• The full process usually takes up to 20 weeks from request to final plan.

What Is an EHC Plan?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) (opens in a new tab) is a legal document for children and young people aged 0 to 25 who have significant special educational needs or disabilities (SEND). It sets out exactly what support a child must receive in education, as well as any health or social care provision linked to their needs. 

The key purpose of an EHCP is to ensure that a child with complex needs receives the right help, at the right level, from the right professionals.

Unlike general SEN Support (opens in a new tab), where schools offer help based on the SEND Code of Practice, an EHCP is legally enforceable. This means the school or local authority must provide everything written in the plan.

Think of an EHCP as a detailed roadmap, showing:

• what your child finds difficult

• what they are good at

• what they need in order to learn, communicate, or stay safe

• who will provide each part of the support

• what progress the support should help them achieve

EHCPs can cover needs relating to learning, communication, social or emotional development, physical or sensory difficulties, or a combination of these. Every plan is personalised, reflecting your child’s unique strengths and challenges.

Who Is Eligible for an EHC Plan?

A child may be eligible for an EHCP if they have significant, long-term or complex needs that cannot be met by SEN Support alone. This usually means their needs continue to affect learning or daily school life, even when extra help is already in place.

This includes needs that require:

• specialist teaching

• therapies such as speech and language or occupational therapy

• one-to-one adult support

• adapted or specialist equipment

• a personalised curriculum

The key difference from SEN Support is the level of need. SEN Support helps many children, but an EHCP is for those who need more intensive, detailed provision. Your child does not need a diagnosis to be considered, and parents can request an assessment at any time.

What’s Included in an EHC Plan?

An EHC Plan doesn’t have a fixed format. They come in many different layouts and styles. However, every EHC Plan must legally include the following sections:

Section A: Your child’s views and aspirations

What your child enjoys, finds difficult and hopes for in the future.

Sections B, C and D: Education, health and social care needs

Clear descriptions of your child’s difficulties, for example:

• learning needs

• speech, language or communication needs

• physical or sensory needs

• social, emotional or mental health needs

Section E: Outcomes

The goals your child will work towards over the next few years. These might include improvements in communication, independence, confidence or academic progress.

Sections F, G and H: Provision (the support your child must receive)

Details the exact help your child needs, such as:

• hours of one-to-one support

• therapy sessions

• specialist teaching

• equipment or adaptations

Support in Section F (education) is legally enforceable, meaning the local authority must ensure it is delivered.

Section I: School placement

Names the school or setting your child will attend. It could be a mainstream school, specialist provision or a resource base, depending on your child’s needs.

Sections J and K: Personal budgets and evidence

Includes optional funding arrangements and the reports that were used to create the plan.

How to Apply for an EHC Plan

You can apply for an EHC needs assessment by writing to your local authority. The school can also make a request, but parents have the right to apply directly. A young person can also apply for an EHC assessment themselves, if they’re aged between 16 and 25.

Steps include:

• Write to the local authority requesting an EHC needs assessment.

• Include evidence such as school reports, medical documents and examples of difficulties.

• Explain why SEN Support is not enough.

• Keep copies of all communication.

The local authority must reply within sixteen weeks to say whether they will carry out the assessment.

What Happens During the Assessment Process?

If the local authority agrees to assess, they will gather information from:

• the school

• educational psychologists

• health professionals

• social care (if relevant)

• you and your child

You’ll be asked for your views because your insight is an important part of the assessment.

Once all the information is collected, the local authority decides whether to issue an EHCP. If they agree, they send a draft plan for you to review and suggest changes.

What Support Does an EHCP Provide?

An EHCP can include a wide range of support. Depending on your child’s needs, it might include:

• one-to-one teaching assistant support

• speech and language therapy

• occupational therapy

• specialist equipment

• small group interventions

• a place in a special school or specialist resource base

• a personalised curriculum or adapted timetable

Later in your child’s education, the school may make special exam access arrangements to enable them to take their exams fairly in a way that suits the needs set out in their EHCP.

Support must be detailed and specific, so everyone clearly understands what will be provided, by whom and how often.

How Long Does It Take to Get an EHC Plan?

The full process should take no longer than 20 weeks from the date the assessment request is made. This includes:

• up to sixteen weeks for the local authority to decide whether to assess

• time for assessments and information gathering

• drafting and reviewing the plan

• issuing the final EHCP

Delays can happen, but this 20-week timeline is the legal expectation.

Can an EHC Plan Be Changed or Reviewed?

Yes. EHCPs are reviewed at least annually to check whether support should stay the same, be increased or decreased, or if placement needs to change. Parents can request an earlier review if needs change suddenly. You can appeal decisions you disagree with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a child in a mainstream school have an EHC Plan?

Yes. Many children with an EHCP stay in mainstream schools. The plan simply ensures they receive the right support, whether that is classroom adjustments, specialist input, or one-to-one help.

How is an EHC Plan different from SEN Support?

SEN Support is the first level of extra help that schools provide. It usually includes classroom adaptations, targeted interventions and regular reviews. You can learn more about some of the strategies for students with ADHD, students with autism, and students with dyslexia that teachers employ in the classroom. 

An EHCP is for children needing provision beyond what a school can normally offer and is legally enforceable.

Does an EHC Plan last forever?

No. An EHCP stays in place only for as long as it is needed. It can continue until age 25 if the young person remains in education or training. 

The plan is reviewed every year to check whether support should stay the same, be updated or end.

Final Thoughts

If you are trying to understand whether an EHC Plan could help your child, remember that you are not alone, and it is always okay to ask for clarity. An EHCP exists to make sure children with more complex needs receive the right support so they can learn, feel secure and make progress.

Your questions and instincts matter, and staying in close communication with the school and local authority will help ensure your child gets the help they need.

With the right support in place, children can make real progress and thrive. Save My Exams is trusted by 2 million students and parents to help you get the best possible grades, with less effort and no overwhelm.

References:

• Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): Extra help - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

• Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND): Special educational needs support - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

• Education, Health and Care plans (EHC plans) - SEN help (opens in a new tab)