If your child has special educational needs (SEN), their school or teacher may talk to you about applying for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP).
An EHCP is a legal document for children and young people aged 0–25 with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It outlines their educational, health, and social care needs and the support they require to achieve their potential.
The special educational provision described in an EHCP must be provided and supported by the local authority. This could involve additional support in school, access to different types of provision, therapeutic support or open up the opportunity to consider different school placements.
An EHCP can only be issued after a child, or young person has gone through the process of an Education, Health, and Care needs assessment.
Catherine Jewkes. TTS expert said: “An EHCP is far more than paperwork; it’s the framework for really understanding a child’s needs and therefore enabling the right tools and strategies to be put in place. When schools, families and wider professionals work together to agree on the best support plan, the EHCP becomes a practical bridge between a child’s needs and them reaching their true potential.”
The Application Process: How to Request an EHC Needs Assessment
An EHC needs assessment can be requested when a parent or school feels that a child or young person has or may have special educational needs and where it may be necessary for special educational provision to be made in accordance with an EHC Plan. For example, this may be where they feel a child’s needs are not able to be fully met through the normally available support within school or nursery. Parents/carers, professionals or a young person over the age of 16 (but under 25) can make a request for an EHC needs assessment.
Requesting an EHC Needs Assessment: Parents/carers or the school/setting can contact the local authority to make their request for an EHC needs assessment.
Decision whether to assess: The local authority will review the information submitted as part of the request for a needs assessment. They may consult with your child’s school/setting and any health/social care professionals if they are supporting your child. The local authority will consider what support has already been put in place and the impact of this.
Sharing the decision: The local authority will inform you whether they do or do not intend to carry out a full needs assessment. If they do not, they will share the reason for their decision. They are expected to make and share this decision within 6 weeks of receiving the request.
EHC Needs Assessment: If the local authority agrees to carry out an EHC needs assessment, they will notify you and seek additional information from people involved in supporting your child. This is a collaborative process so should involve the child/young person, their parents/carers and relevant professionals. After this has been carried out, they will confirm whether they intend to issue a draft EHCP or not.
Draft EHCP: If they decide to issue a plan, then a draft EHCP will be created. This will contain all of the information gathered throughout the needs assessment. You will be asked for any thoughts on amendments to the draft and will also be asked to consider/request your preferred school placement.
Final EHCP: The EHCP will then be finalised, outlining the child’s needs, the special educational provision and support they need and the desired outcomes.
Review: EHCPs are reviewed regularly (at least annually) to ensure they remain relevant and effective.
Steps to follow if you wish to request an EHC Needs Assessment:
- Assess your child’s needs – Reflect on their learning difficulties, disabilities, and the support already in place.
- Gather evidence – Speak to your child’s school/setting (if they attend one). Collect reports from teachers, the SENCO, therapists, and medical professionals.
- Contact your local authority – Most councils have a SEND team or “Local Offer” webpage.
- Submit your request – Either through a local authority form or a detailed letter, supported by your evidence.
- Assessment decision – The local authority will share their decision with you.
- Participate in the assessment – Parents and carers are central to this process.
- Review the draft EHCP – Read through all the information. If needed, suggest changes to ensure the plan reflects your child’s needs.
- Finalise the EHCP – This becomes the legally binding document.
Your right to appeal – Throughout the process, you will be notified of your right to appeal the local authority decisions if you do not agree at different stages. For example, if they decide not to assess or not to issue a plan, you can appeal these decisions. Disagreements can be taken to the SEND tribunal.
Within your local authority there will be a Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information, Advice and Support Service (SENDIASS), who are there to support parents/carers through the EHC needs assessment process should you want advice.
Talking about the process, Catherine Jewkes, TTS expert added: “I know for many the process can feel overwhelming but remember you are your child’s best advocate. Work together with the professionals around your child and share your own observations, notes on how your child learns at home, or challenges you feel they face day to day. These details ensure the EHCP is personalised, accurate and detailed to enable the right support to be suggested.”
Role of Local Authorities in the EHCP Process
Local authorities are responsible for deciding if a child requires an EHCP and ensuring the provision set out in the plan is delivered.
After receiving a request for an EHC needs assessment, they will keep you updated with all the right information, timelines and when to expect to hear an outcome.
Do speak to your child’s setting/school who can offer support, and you can also reach out to your local authority for more information about the process and signposting.
Reviews and Updates
EHCPs are reviewed annually to make sure they remain relevant and effective. This review involves teachers, parents, the child, and any supporting professionals.
A child’s needs don’t stay static; they grow and change. Reviews are the perfect chance to refine strategies and add resources that support their next stage of development, from building independence skills to accessing the curriculum more confidently.
Key Considerations for Parents
- Timelines – The full process can take up to 20 weeks.
- Evidence is so valuable – If you have clear information about your child’s needs and the support that has been in place and the impact of this, it will really support the process.
- Support services – Organisations like Scope and IPSEA can provide valuable advice and advocacy.
While considering whether to request an EHC needs assessment, keep trialing and exploring different strategies at home and school that could help. The ultimate aim is for us to really understand a child’s special educational needs and find strategies and resources that can help and support them.
Final Thoughts from Catherine Jewkes: “When parents, schools, and local authorities work together to understand a child’s needs and put the best support in place, we open up a world of possibilities for our young people. With the right resources in place, children are not just supported; they’re empowered to succeed, both in learning and in life.”
This article has been written by TTS expert, Catherine Jewkes
Catherine is a former teacher, senior leader and qualified SENCo, having taught across many different year groups from Nursery to Year 6. She has also worked for a Local Authority leading and supporting a locality of over 70 mainstream and specialist settings from nurseries through to colleges, helping to develop and implement provision for their learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
