What an Education, Health and Care plan actually is, what it legally has to contain, and how it differs from SEN Support at school.
An Education, Health and Care plan, usually shortened to EHC plan or EHCP, is a legal document that describes a child or young person's special educational, health, and social care needs, and sets out the support the local authority must arrange to meet them.
The plan is organised into lettered sections, set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the SEND Code of Practice. In broad terms: Section A covers the child or young person's views and aspirations, Section B their special educational needs, Section C their health needs, Section D their social care needs, Section E the outcomes the plan is working toward, Section F the special educational provision required, Sections G and H the health and social care provision, Section I the school, college, or other setting named, and Section J any personal budget arrangements.
Section F, the special educational provision, is legally binding on the local authority once the plan is finalised. This is what makes an EHC plan different from an ordinary support arrangement, once something is written into Section F in specific enough terms, the local authority has a legal duty to deliver it.
Understanding what should actually be written into your child's plan, and in what level of detail, is where most families feel out of their depth. SEND Assistant helps you make sense of a plan section by section, in plain language. Try SEND Assistant free.
Does every child with additional needs get an EHC plan?
No, most children with additional needs are supported through SEN Support at school, without a statutory plan. An EHC plan is only issued after a formal needs assessment concludes one is necessary.
How long does an EHC plan last?
It can remain in place up to age 25, as long as the young person is still in education or training and still needs the provision described.
Can an EHC plan be changed after it's issued?
Yes, through an annual review, or in some cases a request for an earlier amendment.
Is a diagnosis required for an EHC plan?
No, a diagnosis isn't a legal requirement, what matters is evidence of the child's needs and the provision required to meet them.
Who writes the content of an EHC plan?
The local authority is responsible for finalising it, drawing on evidence including professional reports, school input, and the family's own views, gathered during the assessment.
This article is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Access to Justice is not a law firm and cannot represent you.