EHCP phase transfer deadlines for changing school or college

When a child or young person with an EHC plan moves between phases of education, the local authority must review and amend the plan in time for the transition. Most school phase transfers require a final amended plan by 15 February. A move from secondary school to post-16 provision requires it by 31 March.

This guide covers England and provides general information, not legal advice.

Which moves count as a phase transfer?

Regulation 18 covers moves such as:

• early years to school
• infant to junior school
• primary to secondary school
• middle to secondary or high school
• secondary school to post-16 provision

A change between post-16 institutions at another time has a different rule: the local authority must review and amend the plan where necessary at least five months before the transfer.

The final-plan deadlines

For most school phase transfers, the final amended EHC plan must be issued by 15 February in the calendar year of transfer.

For a transfer from secondary school to a post-16 institution or apprenticeship, the deadline is 31 March.

These dates are designed to leave time for transition planning and, if necessary, a placement appeal before September.

The review is more than a meeting

A phase transfer review should consider the whole plan:

• current needs in Sections B, C and D
• progress towards Section E outcomes
• provision in Sections F, G and H
• the placement or type in Section I
• updated advice in Section K
• the child or young person's views

The authority must complete the review and amendment process, not merely hold a meeting by the deadline.

Where the plan is amended, the authority normally gives notice of proposed changes, allows at least 15 days for representations and then issues the final amended plan. Ordinary review and amendment steps still matter, but the phase-transfer deadline sets the final backstop.

Section I must be usable

The final plan should name the school, college or other institution, or at least a type where the legal framework permits. Leaving Section I unresolved prevents meaningful transition planning and may obstruct appeal rights.

Families should express placement preferences early. Schools and colleges should answer consultations with evidence against the relevant legal tests rather than generic capacity statements.

Preparation for adulthood

From Year 9, reviews must include preparation for adulthood. Depending on the young person, this can cover:

• further education or employment
• independent living
• community participation
• health and wellbeing
• travel and practical skills

The transition plan should reflect the young person's aspirations and the support needed to pursue them.

If the authority misses the deadline

Write immediately to the EHC plan team. State the applicable regulation 18 deadline and ask for:

1. the current draft and outstanding actions
2. consultation status
3. the date the final amended plan will issue
4. interim transition arrangements

Use the council complaints process if delay continues. Serious or urgent delay may require specialist public-law advice. Once a final plan issues, any appeal deadline runs from the decision letter, so record the date.

Does an EHCP end at 19?

No. A plan does not end merely because a young person turns 19. It can continue while the statutory conditions remain met, potentially until the end of the academic year in which they turn 25. Continuation is not automatic, and the authority must follow the proper review and cessation process.

Work backwards

Families and settings should plan evidence gathering, visits, preferences and professional updates well before autumn. Keep the transfer date, consultations, draft comments and final-plan deadline in one timeline.

Unisen helps families and schools coordinate that evidence and transition work.

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